DESCRIPTION:

This course is a study of various strategies used in planting and developing Deaf churches around the world. The Deaf are a "people group" and thus a mission field within each country. The strategies to be used will be dependent upon many factors: the educational opportunities for the Deaf, a common sign language, the economic status of the average Deaf. Illustrations will show the importance of a long range strategy in developing self-governing, self-propagating, and self-supporting Deaf churches.

Millions of Deaf people around the world have never "heard" of Jesus. The sending church and the "sent ones" need to have a realistic long range strategy for sharing the Good News that will result in development of healthy Deaf churches. This course will expand the understanding of how this goal can be achieved.

The course will consist of lectures, students sharing their research papers on a given missions organization strategy for reaching the Deaf, and class discussions.

Elliston, Edgar J., ed. Christian Relief and Development: Training Workers for Effective Ministry. Dallas: Word, 1989.

Hesselgrave, David J. Planting Churches Cross-Culturally. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1980.

Wright, Linda Raney. Christianity's Crisis in Evangelism. Gresham, Oregon: Vision House, 1995.

Lingenfelter, Sherwood G. and Mayers, Marvin K. Ministering Cross-Culturally. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1986.

Brewster and Brewster. Bonding and the Ministry Task. Pasadena, CA: Lingua House.

Korten, David C. Getting to the 21st Century: Voluntary Action and the Global Agenda. West Hartford, CT: Kumaria Press, 1990.

Malphurs, Aubrey. Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.

McKenna, David. Megatruth: The Church in the Age of Information. San Bernardino, CA: Here's Life Publishers, 1986.

Noe, Harold L. Starting a Ministry to the Deaf. Council Bluffs, IA: Deaf Missions, 1984.

Noe, Harold L. The History of Religion among the Deaf. Council Bluffs, IA: Deaf Missions, 1985.

Noe, Harold L. A Theology of Ministry to the Deaf. Council Bluffs, IA: Deaf Missions, 1985.

Noe, Harold L. A Teaching Spiritual Concepts to Deaf People. Council Bluffs, IA: Deaf Missions, 1986.

Perkins, John. With Justice for All. Regal, 1982.

Williamson, Mabel. Have We No Rights? Moody Press

The course grade is dependent upon the following: attendance and participation; either an 8-10 page research paper on the strategies a current mission program for the Deaf to be prepared before the intensive, or an 8-10 page paper prepared after the intensive on how the course has and will impact your life; one 5 page paper that is an interaction and application with one of the required readings, plus reading reports; and 1500 pages from required and recommended reading.