Missouri missionaries aid in ministry to the deaf

Missouri missionaries aid in ministry to the deaf

August 3, 2004

OAK GROVE – Ministry to the estimated 140,000 deaf people in Puerto Rico is a key component of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) strategy, said Norm Howell, MBC Partnership Missions Specialist. Consequently, the work of First Baptist Church, Oak Grove, June 22-29 was greatly appreciated.

Eight members from Oak Grove visited four different churches that had, or once had deaf ministries. They distributed about 400 Spanish tracts, 25 picture Bibles, 50 Bible coloring books and 40 Evangecubes.

Team member Terry Johns said the Oak Grove missionaries used drama and song to portray the stories of Jesus because many of the deaf people do not know sign language. There is no education for the deaf in Puerto Rico, Johns said.

Howell said Iglesia Bautista La Fe in Arecibo, under pastor Jiberto Rufat, has participated in deaf ministry in 14 areas on the island. The church has started a total of seven churches in those areas.