It is widely believed that out of the world’s population of between 150 and 250 million deaf persons, only 2% are professing Christians, making them one of the largest unreached people groups in the world.

According to Mark Lowenstein, Pioneer Bible Translators director of deaf programs, the challenges in reaching the deaf community are several: They are scattered, they are often looked down upon as cursed, parents often abandon them, and not many people make the effort to communicate with them in sign language.

Additionally, there are at least 350 unique sign languages in the world.

September is deaf awareness month, and MinistryWatch is highlighting the work of several ministries that are committed to bringing the gospel to the deaf community.

1. DOOR International is celebrating 40 years of “furthering Christian ministry among Deaf communities.” Its tagline of the “deaf reaching the deaf for Christ” is true as 85% of its staff are deaf. DOOR has partnered in over 20 sign language Bible translations and has planted 1,000 deaf churches. It has 40 ministry teams working in 15 countries around the world. In the MinistryWatch database, DOOR has a 3-star financial efficiency rating, a C transparency grade and a donor confidence score of 73 out of 100. DOOR does not file a Form 990 with the IRS but is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

2. Deaf Bible Society’s mission is “to provide the Bible by video in the world’s many sign languages.” It says there is only one sign language with a full Bible translation, but 15% have access to some portion of the Bible. Deaf Bible Society is involved in 78 translation projects and has created an online platform and app with sign language videos of Scripture. In the MinistryWatch database, Deaf Bible Society has a 3-star financial efficiency rating, an A transparency grade and a donor confidence score of 100.

3. Christian Mission for the Deaf is a small organization headquartered in Michigan that has been organizing, operating, promoting and encouraging “Gospel and education work among the deaf of Africa” since its founding by Andrew Foster in 1956. Much of its early work involved establishing 31 schools, but then its attention shifted to gospel ministry and evangelism. While it is not in the MinistryWatch database, information about the group’s finances can be found on its IRS Form 990.

4. The purpose of Deaf Missions is to “clearly communicate the Gospel of Jesus with deaf people through their heart language, culture and identity.” It claims to have kept a narrow focus during its 50 years of ministry: creating video content in sign language (like the JESUS film), equipping deaf leaders and building gospel communities. MinistryWatch cannot recommend giving to Deaf Missions as it has a donor confidence score of 33 and does not file an IRS Form 990. It is, however, a member of the ECFA.

5. Deaf Kids Connect focuses its attention on deaf children and their families, aiming to “equip, support, and mentor parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children to share God’s love and raise disciples through a shared language — sign language.” It was founded in 1997 by parents of a deaf child who had a hard time finding faith-building resources in sign language. The ministry is not in the MinistryWatch database nor is it a member of the ECFA, but more information about its finances can be found on its IRS Form 990.

6. Founded in 2018 by Lindsey Berger, Deaf 316 Ministries is working to translate biblical resources like sermons, commentaries and Bible studies into American Sign Language. Its goal is “to provide the deaf community with access to free interpreted biblical content via the internet.” It is not a member of the ECFA nor does it file a Form 990 with the IRS.

Other ministries and denominations engage in mission work among deaf persons. The SBC’s International Mission Board has a division for deaf missions, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church has the Adventist Deaf Ministry, as well as Three Angels Deaf Ministry. Envision, part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination, is committed to increasing gospel access to the deaf around the world.

Church-planting group Converge has a deaf ministry division meant to “spur gospel movements among Deaf people groups in the U.S. and worldwide.” Kathy and Bob Ayres founded Deaf Teen Quest in 2000 as a place to “build Christ-centered relationships with deaf and hard of hearing students.” That ministry is now a part of Youth for Christ.

There are also many local churches around the country that have resources and services to minister to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

This story has been republished with permission from MinistryWatch.

Kim Roberts is a freelance writer who holds a Juris Doctorate from Baylor University. She has home schooled her three children and is happily married to her husband of 25 years.