ABOUT DEAF MISSIONS

MISSION

To effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus with Deaf people

VISION

All Deaf see and know Jesus

FOCUS

Create and engage Deaf people with high-impact visual media in their heart language - sign language. 

Founded in 1970, Deaf Missions is an international Christian ministry dedicated to clearly communicating the Gospel of Jesus with Deaf people through their heart language, culture, and identity. Deaf Mission serves people in more than 100 countries and 60 denominations, while keeping its focus narrow: creating epic video content in sign language, encouraging the development of Gospel communities, and equipping Deaf leaders by providing access to resources and training in their heart language. In 2020, Deaf Missions completed the first full translation of the Bible in any sign language: the ASLV (American Sign Language Version of the Bible). In 2024, Deaf Missions released JESUS: a Deaf Missions film, in theaters—a feature film entirely in American Sign Language. It was based on an 8-minute short entitled “Uncondemned” that the ministry created as a proof of concept. The ministry’s previous productions include the syndicated children’s television series “Dr. Wonder’s Workshop,” “Finger Food Cafe,” and other children’s videos. They have also produced numerous short ASL-storytelling features. Deaf Missions’ first feature-length film was based on the book of Job.

Learn more about Deaf Missions’ history

LEADERSHIP

  • A middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and a mustache, smiling in front of a dark background.

    Joseph D. Josselyn

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  • Smiling man with black hair in a black shirt in front of a dark red background.

    Michael Davis

    CHIEF MEDIA OFFICER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • A black and white portrait of a smiling man with glasses, a beard, and short hair, wearing a collared shirt.

    Lance Forshay

    Chairperson

  • A smiling older man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a checked button-up shirt, outdoors with a blurred green natural background.

    Greg Purrett, PhD

    Vice-Chairperson

  • A man wearing glasses and a red polo shirt, smiling in front of a wooden background.

    Rich Milliken

    Treasurer/Secretary

  • A woman with gray twists, glasses, and earrings, smiling in a black collared shirt, sitting in a room with a floor lamp and plain wall in the background.

    Sheila Hall-Price

  • Chang Ho Hwang

    Chang Ho Hwang

  • Illustration of a person with short dark hair, wearing a collared shirt and a dark sweater, against a beige background.

    Don Holloway

  • Michael Hutchinson

  • Illustration of a person with dark, tousled hair, wearing a dark shirt, facing forward but with no facial features visible, set against a light brown background.

    Chet Lammert

    Emeritus

  • Lewis Lummer

    Lewis Lummer

  • Jeff McClain

  • Close-up portrait of an elderly man with gray hair and glasses, smiling, wearing a dark suit and tie.

    Marlyn McClain