My name is Rev. Dr. Toby Welch. I am the Deaf pastor of a Deaf church. I have immersed myself in God’s work and ministry for over 30 years. I have pastored several Deaf churches and worked as a missionary, lay preacher, and guest speaker in the Deaf community. God called me to pastor Deaf churches because there are few Deaf pastors. Deaf pastors/leaders want to see more Deaf churches established to reach more Deaf people, because only 2% of the Deaf population are Christians. This means 98% of Deaf people do not know Jesus Christ (see https://doorinternational.org/why-deaf). Therefore, I have been burdened to preach the gospel to Deaf people for the glory of God.
I have heard many stories from Deaf Christians who attend hearing churches with Deaf ministries or Deaf services separate from hearing services. Some hearing churches decided to stop offering services for Deaf people or stop allowing them to have their own services. Deaf people wonder if hearing churches love Deaf people as God loves them. They often sense that hearing churches view Deaf people as a marginalized group or categorize them as having a disability that needs to be fixed. For many years, society has wanted Deaf people to be fixed because they believe that Deaf people are “less than.”
These people do not know Deaf culture. Hearing people have cultures, with beliefs, practices, and languages. Deaf people have a culture, with different beliefs, practices, and languages than hearing culture. For example, Deaf people use American Sign Language as their first language, and have English as their second language. Therefore, they depend on interpreters for effective communication with hearing people. Unfortunately, many people who are uninformed about Deaf culture tend to reject Deaf people or view them as abnormal. Does God create Deaf people as abnormal?
The issue is that 98% of Deaf people do not know Jesus Christ. I believe many hearing churches have rejected Deaf ministry. For many years, Deaf people have been rejected by hearing people. Deaf people don’t need to be fixed, because God created them people as beautiful as hearing people. God asked Moses a question that made it clear that God created deaf people (Exodus 4:11).
There are many Deaf people who are ready to be harvested, but there are only a few Deaf laborers. I hope you will consider working with Deaf people by providing interpreted services or supporting a Deaf church, so Deaf people can worship God, rather than going to destruction forever. It is our responsibility to reach out to both Deaf and hearing people for Jesus Christ our Lord.
In conclusion, I pray that you will be willing to work with Deaf leaders, leaders in Deaf ministry, or interpreters, so Deaf people can understand the truth about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and so the 98% of deaf unbelievers will hear the gospel in a signed language. That is my burden. I desire to work with hearing churches to reach out to Deaf people who have no Deaf churches in their areas.
I hope you will work with me by praying for Deaf communities, talking with Deaf Christians and expert interpreters about supporting Deaf churches and Deaf ministry.
If you already support Deaf ministry, I want to express from my heart that I am blessed to see Deaf people attend your church. I pray that Deaf people will be drawn to your church. Thank you! I ask you to partner with me in praying for Deaf communities.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me at deafreformedpastor@gmail.com or contact my good friend, an interpreter and expert in Deaf service. His name is Chuck Snyder; his email is chucksnyder@verizon.net, and his phone number is 717-578-0665.
Thank you,
Rev. Dr. Toby Welch
Deaf Table Talk with Dr. Toby 
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