Above: IMB missionary Paul Yount, left, works with deaf people in West Africa as they paint the big picture of the Bible story. Paul, who is also deaf, communicates easily with other deaf people because he understands the world in which they live. This gives him greater access to the Gospel. Image by IMB
Editor’s Note: Each year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions complements the cooperative program offered to support Southern Baptists’ international missionaries’ initiatives in sharing the gospel. This year’s bid goal is $200 million. To find information and resources about the show, He goes here.
Evangelist Paul Yount of the International Mission Board (IMB) sits outside a crowded cafeteria. Inside the room, chairs creak on the floor. A cacophony of sounds blends. Board scraping fork. Ice in the beverage machine hits the bottom of an empty cup.
Joseph, a Senegalese believer, is discipled by IMB evangelist Paul Yount. Joseph is dedicated to seeing other deaf people come to faith in Christ and access the Bible in the language of their hearts. He helps translate the Bible into French-speaking African Sign Language with Deaf Pathway Global. Image by IMB
He doesn’t hear anything from him.
More than 71 million people worldwide are deaf, like Paul. Most culturally deaf people do not have access to the Bible in the language of their hearts. Very few people shared the gospel with them. Most deaf people around the world have never seen the name of Jesus signed before.
This IMB missionary communicates easily with other deaf people. He is uniquely equipped to disciple them because he experiences the world the same way they do.
The commonalities between Paul and Joseph, the Senegalese believer, helped Paul disciple him more effectively.
Deaf people in West Africa use workshops at StoryOne camps to learn how to present Bible stories visually. They use a combination of imagery and lung sign language to bring stories to the heart. Image by IMB
When Paul met Joseph, he was already a believer, but Joseph was hungry to know more about the Bible. While he had a basic understanding of the Bible, he could not fully connect with the truths of the written Bible.
As a deaf student, Joseph needed to see the word, not just read it. Vision is how he communicates with the world. Paul recognizes this need to learn visually, and, along with StoryOne Camps, teaches the Bible in a way that deaf people can understand – through stories.
Paul disciples Joseph with three sets of Bible stories based on sign language mnemonics that help commit the stories to memory more effectively. This visual presentation of Scripture resonated with the new believer.
StoryOne workshop attendees combine visual images of Scripture with regional sign language to communicate the gospel visually. Both Joseph and IMB evangelist Paul Yount are participating in this workshop and others like it. Image by IMB
After attending his first StoryOne camp, Joseph was convinced to use this story method. When another was detained, he returned. “He felt very moved and inspired, and we were excited for him to try it,” Paul said.
Now, given access to the Bible in the language of his heart, Francophone African Sign Language, Joseph is passionate about sharing the Gospel with those like him who need access to the Gospel in a way they can understand.
His faith has come at a great cost to him. His family disowned him, but he didn’t back down. He now works at a church for the deaf, discipling other believers through this storytelling method.
IMB evangelist Willie Brown leads a breakout session at StoryOne Camps. They are an integral part of the camps hosted by Deaf Pathway Global in partnership with IMB. Image by IMB
Leading a Bible translation project, in partnership with Paul and Deaf Pathway Global, is another way this growing disciple is fulfilling the Great Commission.
Thank God that He uses missionaries like Paul Yount and patriotic believers like Joseph to reach the deaf.
Pray for Joseph as he continues to spread the gospel to the deaf while burdened by lost family members.
Pray for Deaf Pathway Global as they work to translate the Bible and present it visually so that deaf people can access the Gospel.
Some names may have been changed for security reasons.
Lottie Moon’s Christmas Show is a unique and impactful way of sharing the message of the gospel and discipleship in West Africa. Through the use of sign language, barriers to communication are broken down, allowing the good news to reach people who may have otherwise been isolated or overlooked. This innovative approach to evangelism highlights the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in spreading the message of Jesus Christ, and serves as a powerful example of how creativity and compassion can make a lasting impact in the mission field.