Deaf people are among the most unreached people groups in the world. Of an estimated 70 million Deaf people worldwide, 68 million have yet to see and know Jesus as their Lord and personal Savior.
God’s story is unstoppable when it is in the heart language of a people group. Deaf Missions’ Jesus movie uses native signers to bring the story of Jesus to life from a Deaf perspective for a Deaf audience. Deaf people encounter the love and teachings of Jesus on a deeper level in their heart language. The full feature film will be scripted based on select scenes from the New Testament Gospels and presented with a “Deaf lens.” Technology makes it possible to use green screen and computer-generated imagery to produce the original film in American Sign Language (ASL) and then “sign-dub” it into 400+ sign languages around the world.
Impact Opportunity
A primary reason for the number of unreached Deaf people is a lack of resources in their heart language — sign language.
“Understanding Scripture in a language other than the heart language in which we think and experience emotion is like ‘trying to eat soup with a fork. You can get a little taste, but you cannot get nourished.’ ” – Cameron Townsend, Founder, Wycliffe Bible Translators
The Jesus movie is a CATALYST to start a MOVEMENT in Deaf communities around the world. Technological advances make it possible to produce and distribute powerful tools in sign language all across the globe… we now have an opportunity to engage 70 million Deaf people and 400+ sign languages in five simple steps:
- Show Jesus Movie
- Deaf People Encounter Jesus
- Form Gospel Communities
- Encourage, Equip, Engage
- Host the Jesus Movie in Multiple Venues
Why a Jesus Movie for Deaf People?
Maximum Impact!
The first edition of the film will be in ASL, AND we are working with other Deaf ministry teams around the world to “sign-dub” the same movie in multiple sign languages to reach 70 million Deaf people worldwide!
Direct Communication!
The cast and crew are native signers. We believe the greatest impact happens when a message is delivered in a person’s heart language.
Full Immersion!
Gifted Deaf performers and elaborate backgrounds provide the necessary visual stimulus to convey the heart of the message to a Deaf audience.
Eliminate the Disconnect!
When Deaf people watch current films, there is a dissociative experience where the language is separated from the actions of the characters. The message and experience will be connected through direct communication.
