The Deaf:
Largest Unreached
People Group in The World

"You lead us.” Jace* said, through sign-language, as he leaned back.

“No,” Trent* leaned forward to keep the communication going, “the church needs a Deaf pastor. And, with my visa situation, I can’t lead.”

“Deaf Pastor?!” Jace’s face showed the incredulity he felt. He’d never heard of a Deaf-led Deaf church. The idea was preposterous! “Everyone knows that a Deaf person cannot be a pastor.”

“Why not?” Trent was intrigued. He’d never heard this before.

“Because the Deaf are stupid.”

What followed was a long conversation with Trent finally getting Jace to agree to pray about it. This shouldn’t have been a surprise to Trent since the Deaf in Russia can only get one of three jobs: digging ditches, painting, or working in a factory for invalids.

Trent left the country on a visa run a week later but not before he could have a follow up conversation with Jace.

“So, have you prayed about it?”

“Yes. A Deaf person cannot be a pastor. The only way we can have a Deaf church is if you lead it.” Jace signed emphatically. His mind was made up.

Trent wondered what would happen now. He wouldn’t see Jace or any of the other Deaf believers for at least three months while he tried to secure a new visa. These trips were getting old. How many more times could he continue on this three-month cycle: three months in Russia, three months in another country, then three months back in Russia? It was certainly taking it’s toll not only on Trent but on his whole family.

Trent was shocked what happened when he arrived back to Russia after his visa run.

“We can do it!” Jace signed excitedly.

“Do what?” Trent asked, still tired from the trip.

“We can lead our own church! A Deaf person can be pastor!”

And that’s how the Deaf church was finally born in a certain city in Russia. God had convinced the Deaf during Trent’s absence that they weren’t stupid and that they could, indeed, lead their own church. Over the next three months the church was started, and Trent’s family was led away. The church thrived. They went to other towns sharing the Good News of Jesus and seeking to start more Deaf Churches. They even went on an international trip to a Central Asian country where they told Deaf people about Jesus for the first time. God is using this group of believers in a powerful way! They truly illustrate the truth of 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”