History of Deaf Missions
- Duane King leads a worship service for Deaf people at First Christian Church in Norfolk, Nebraska, early 1967.
Duane King (founder of Deaf Missions) first met deaf people while serving as the minister of First Christian Church in Norfolk, Nebraska. During the Christmas season of 1966, Duane was asked to deliver an anonymous cash gift to some deaf people. From this first meeting with Emery and Louise Booth came the challenge to reach them and other deaf people for Christ.
By 1970, God's call was so strong on Duane's heart and mind that he knew he had to preach to deaf people full-time and on March 28, 1970, Deaf Missions was born. Deaf Missions was officially incorporated as an Iowa non-profit religious corporation in November, 1970.
Two other important ministries were started soon after Deaf Missions began. We helped establish Christ's Church of the Deaf in Council Bluffs in July, 1971. This congregation still meets today. Deaf Missions also started the Bible Camp for the Deaf in August, 1971. This camp has met every year since then. Deaf Missions has also helped other groups to begin Deaf churches and camps in other states.
The year 1977 saw the beginning of the Extension Class Program. Students receive 16 hours of college credit when they successfully complete the studies in courses that have particular relevance to ministering among deaf people. The Extension Classes met on alternate years until 2003, when the classes began meeting annually. Sixteen different Bible colleges have participated in the Extension Classes, thereby providing high quality education in Deaf ministry to their students that the colleges could not otherwise find or afford.
Deaf Missions has also begun other training programs for deaf people and hearing workers, such as “God Loves Deaf People” seminars, “Building Better Families” workshops, and “Christian Interpreters” and “Deaf Christian Leaders” conferences.
- Bill Pike works the Deaf Missions printing press.
The enormous project of translating the Bible into American Sign Language was conceived in 1981. After 23 years, we finally finished the ASL translation of the New Testament. Also, about one-third of the Old Testament is translated. At least sixteen other nations started sign language translations after being inspired by Deaf Missions.
Deaf Missions has produced the popular made-for-TV show, The Finger Food Cafe Show, and is producing Big Bible Stories in American Sign Language, a series of videos teaching deaf children different stories in the Bible. The list goes on. Deaf Missions is faithful to its calling.
In June 2007, Deaf Missions launched LINK: ASL Sermon Series. This ministry provides weekly sermons in sign language for deaf people on the Internet and DVDs.
Speaking of "faithful," that word applies to the supporters of Deaf Missions, who prayed and gave through the years--some starting before 1970 and continuing to the present time! The board and staff are noted for their faithfulness, but the ministry with Deaf Missions depends upon supporters who continue giving faithfully. Praise God for the faithfulness of all, because we ALL depend on Him.
After almost 40 years of leading Deaf Missions and at the age of 70 years old in November 2007, Duane turned over the leadership of Deaf Missions to Chad Entinger. Even with the change of leaders, Deaf Missions’ focus and purposes remain the same – to reach deaf people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
From these humble beginnings, Deaf Missions has grown to become a powerful influence, touching the lives of deaf people in all 50 states and in 88 different countries. Deaf Missions is a noted and respected leader among ministries with deaf people, and its outreach extends through more than 60 denominations.
