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2023–2025 Mission Grant #14

Enhancement of Deaf Ministry and Outreach

Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society, U.S. — $47,000

 

Watch the video about this mission grant!

About This Mission Grant

There are an estimated 500,000 deaf users of American Sign Language (ASL) in the United States, 95% of whom are unchurched. There are 124 local or congregational deaf ministries in the LCMS; however, there is a severe shortage of Lutheran resources and interpreters. Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society (ELMS) is dedicated to serving and supporting the deaf and hard of hearing community with the Gospel. 

This grant will help provide interpreters and resources to spread the Gospel message to deaf people in the United States by allowing ELMS to expand its Church Interpreter Training Academy to several satellite locations, potentially training more than 100 new interpreters. It will also allow them to continue ASL translation work of the Lutheran Service Book settings 1, 2, 4, and Matins for the benefit of all those who are deaf.

woman signing, standing next to video camera and two large screens

ELMS translation of LSB Divine Service Setting III into ASL being recorded

More Mission Grant Photos

table with papers and three women in discussion

ELMS translation of LSB Divine Service Setting III into ASL underway

group of adults and older children sitting around tables, listening to the person presenting

CITA session

pastor preaching from pulpit, with woman standing on the floor in front and to the side of the pulpit, signing ASL

CITA practice in the Concordia Theological Seminary Chapel

adults sitting at chairs and tables. One person at the podium. One person sitting and translating.

ELMS Director Rev. Thomas Dunseth interpreting for LWML Gathering in Michigan in 2022

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LWML Resources