Do you know who your deaf neighbors are? There is probably a community closer than you think. However, it can be difficult for hearing people to know how to engage their deaf neighbors.
There is a language barrier and even a cultural barrier between the hearing and deaf communities.
J.R. Bucklew, President of Deaf Bible Society says that, despite these challenges, Christians have an obligation to reach the deaf with the gospel.
We often talk in ministry circles about equipping believers to pray, give, and go in missions. But when it comes to the deaf, Bucklew says, “This isn’t a people group that simply lives in a far-off land. These are people who live in our own backyards. How do we neighbor with our deaf communities? We’re living in the same places. These are people we can’t just ignore. So what does ‘go’ mean for the everyday person?”
To answer that question, he offers some key strategies we can employ to engage, build relationships, and share Jesus with our deaf neighbors.