Deaf Engagement with Scripture and the Church’s Role
Lunch and Learn Webinar
Sonshine hosts Lunch & Learn webinars each quarter for hearing Christians to listen to a Deaf individual share their experiences in the Christian setting. Each webinar is virtual and free. Our prayer is to help make the Christian community known for welcoming and honoring Deaf people well. Open to anyone who serves in Christian spaces and wants to include Deaf people with excellence and accessibility.
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We had the privilege of sitting down with Adan Burke from Wycliffe Global Partners for one of our Lunch and Learn Webinars. Adan shared powerful insight into how Deaf communities around the world are engaging with God’s Word through sign language Bible translation — and how the Church can come alongside this movement with humility and unity.
Adan reminded us that Deaf people connect best with Scripture in their heart language: sign language. For many, reading a written English Bible doesn’t have the same depth or meaning, so seeing the Bible translated into sign is life-changing. Wycliffe and many partner organizations are helping make that possible, and the Church has a huge role to play in supporting, honoring, and learning from Deaf believers leading this work.
We also talked about what true allyship looks like — not just providing access, but partnering, learning, and growing together. Adan encouraged us to invite the Holy Spirit to shape how we serve in Deaf spaces, reminding us that allyship takes time, listening, and a heart that stays teachable.
At the end, we closed in prayer, thanking God for His heart for unity and asking Him to bless the Deaf community and everyone working to make His Word accessible in every language and format.
A few great resources were shared for anyone wanting to dive deeper:
Deaf Missions Video App
Deaf Bible App
Deaf Bible Society
DOOR International
Our favorite takeaway from this conversation? That the Church is called to go beyond access. Providing interpreters is just the starting point. Imagine a Christian community that says not only “you’re welcome here” but “you’re wanted here.” A place where Deaf leaders are empowered to teach, influence, and guide us as we grow together.
That’s the kind of Church that reflects the heart of Jesus — one that serves, listens, and leads with love.
Blessings,
Sonshine Team
Sonshine hosts Lunch & Learn webinars each quarter for hearing Christians to listen to a Deaf individual share their experiences in the Christian setting. Each webinar is virtual and free. Our prayer is to help make the Christian community known for welcoming and honoring Deaf people well. Open to anyone who serves in Christian spaces and wants to include Deaf people with excellence and accessibility.
