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There are roughly 70 million deaf people around the globe and Deaf Missions estimates that 98% of them do not know Jesus. After 38 years Deaf Missions has completed a historic achievement to help bridge the gap between the deaf community and Christianity.
The American Sign Language Version (ALSV) was created by the deaf community for the deaf community. Deaf Missions is working to bring the more than 400 different sign languages around the world a translation video bringing the Scriptures to life—and it wasn’t an easy task.
It took Deaf Missions a meticulous 38 years to complete with 53 translators. Each verse of the 31,103 translated cost $195 and there have already been over a million downloads.
“We finally have a Christian film that is exclusively in our language, ASL,” says Ryan one person impacted by the videos. The purpose of the ASLV Bible is bring to life the biblical stories in the heart language of those who will be watching it.
Watching the descriptive adjectives used to describe the Bible stories helps create a clearer picture of what God is saying through each passage. Thankfully with modern technology the translation can be distributed worldwide all that is needed is some kind of device.
Deaf Missions says the number one barrier between Deaf community knowing Jesus is a communication barrier. On their website they say, “We create epic video content in sign language, like the Jesus movie.”
Not only is the gospel going forth in new ways but a community is being built, a fellowship of believer’s in the Deaf community. By making space to bring people together who face obstacles in life, they are equipped to be disciples who make disciples.
One of the more popular Bible videos Deaf Missions has released is “The Book of Job” which has been streamed at churches in America.
Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” {eoa}
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Shelby Bowen is an assistant editor for Charisma Media.
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