A Heart for the Deaf – Video Stories and Essentials Videos

Recently, our Deaf Pastor Jerry asked me, “If there was a Deaf person and a blind person, who would you go to talk to first?” I struggled to answer. Then he said, “You will always go to the blind person because you can communicate with them.” My heart dropped as I knew he was right, and it again reminded me of the significant challenge that the Deaf face. On top of this, the Deaf are one of the least reached people groups (2%) around the globe and yet are our neighbors who are so often times not seen.

The above is a bit of the genesis of these videos. They seek to tell from a Deaf perspective what hearing people need to know in order to first overcome the fear of approaching the Deaf person and then to be able to build a relationship with the Deaf.

There are two sets of videos. The first set is in story form (3-4½ minutes long) designed to help you to become aware to see Deaf reality, to fully understand what it is like for people to be Deaf, and to learn how hearing people and hearing churches can make a positive impact on this community.

The second set of videos, called “Essentials”, is shorter (1-1½ minutes). These are designed to be used with hearing people (staff, teams) and in church worship gatherings, to strengthen awareness and build bridges to strong relationships with the Deaf.

Short Stories: Heart Language – Deaf & Hearing
1) Neither Deaf, Nor Hearing
2) The Workers Are Few
3) From Barriers to Bridges
4) Start with Hello
5) Pouring In
6) ASL – A Language of its Own

Essentials Videos
1) Neither Deaf, Nor Hearing: From the heart of a Deaf Pastor, it answers the question, “Why is it important for the hearing to connect with the Deaf?”
2) The Workers are Few: Love and relationships from the hearing to the Deaf matters.
3) From Barriers to Bridges: Overcome your fear. You can connect with the Deaf.
4) Start with Hello: How do you approach and communicate with a Deaf person?
5) Getting Their Attention: Making a connection with the Deaf.
6) Start a Conversation: Overcome your fear, lean in, and try. That speaks volumes!
7) A Language All Its Own: ASL is not English. It helps when you know that.

A big “Thank You” LB Whaples from Shine His Light Photos for using your talents to tell the stories! It is appreciated that this is not just a project to you but a way to serve the King and advance His Kingdom.

A Video Series of the Western Great Lake District of the C&MA.