DID YOU KNOW THAT:

• About 32 million Americans have some form of hearing loss. Of these, around 17 million are under the age of 62.
• The number of Americans who are severely to profoundly deaf is over 6 million.
• The native language of Deaf people in the United States is American Sign Language (ASL). It is the third most-used language in North America.
• Ninety-six percent (96%) of deaf children have parents with “normal hearing,” yet it is estimated that fewer than two out of the 10 of those hearing parents never become proficient enough in sign language to tell a Bible story to their child.
• Deaf people who use ASL as their primary language really have a distinct and unique culture with their own heroes, legends, social customs, stories, jokes, and shared goals and experiences.
• Fewer than eight out of every 100 deaf people in the US attend church. Fewer than 4 out of 100 claim a personal relationship with Christ.
• The Deaf community has been listed by several missions’ organizations as the largest unreached people group in America.

Information from www.silentblessings.org

WE NEED YOU!

If you are reading this document, God is likely working in your heart to get involved in Deaf Ministry. If your gift is Evangelism (the ability to present Christ effectively so that persons will accept salvation in Jesus), and you love learning another language (ASL) and Deaf culture, we need you. If you enjoy meeting new people, and are committed to ministry, we want you. There are so many ways that you can get involved in Deaf Ministry, whether it is to become an interpreter, to serve the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community (volunteering at Deaf events and conferences), to teach others about Deaf culture, just to name a few. If you have the gift of evangelism and/or service, please give us a try!

OUR MISSION

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry (DHOHM) was established in 2000 under the leadership of Bishop Clifford M. Johnson, Jr. The DHOHM’s mission is to make Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries’ services and the Bible accessible and understandable for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members through interpreted services so that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people can come to accept Jesus Christ as Lord, have a personal relationship with God, and become disciples. Additionally, equip them to do the work of ministry and to bear much fruit so that the Great Commission, God’s program for the church, is accomplished throughout the nation and the world with wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

OUR VISION:

The DHOHM’s vision is to build relationships with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community by learning their language and culture. To interpret MPCM’s church services ensuring that all elements of the service (songs, announcements, prayers, special songs, etc.), as well as the sermon, are clearly and completely communicated. To equip and empower Deaf people to become strong Deaf Christian leaders who will share the gospel of Jesus Christ within the Deaf community using their primary language (ASL). To provide resources (i.e. captioning, listening devices, etc.) for Hard of Hearing (HOH) and late-deafened people who do not know ASL. In addition, it is the DHOHM’s goal to provide all church community members with opportunities for learning and using ASL and for building relationships with Deaf members of the church community.

FOCUS OF THE DHOHM:

• Interpreting church services
• Informing church leadership, church members, and people in the community about Deafness
• Teaching ASL (via Sign Language Life Group or Deaf Ministry)
• Developing Interpreters (attending ASL classes at MPCM, local colleges, and online classes)
• Encouraging the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing people to take classes at MPCM’s Bible Institute & Learning Center
• Partnering and/or fellowshipping with Deaf churches and Deaf Ministries of Hearing Churches

If you are interested in joining the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry or want more information about the ministry, please contact Natalie Pulliam at npulliam@mountpleasant.org or (443) 690-2907.