June 2014 Prayer Letter
June 2014
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Recently, in my devotions I read again the prayer of Jabez found in 1 Chronicles 4:10,
“…Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”
God continues to bless and grow Silent Word Ministries! It is an honor to serve Him in this unique ministry to the Deaf. Not only do we publish materials specifically for deaf ministries, but we also provide free materials for missionaries, conduct meetings in local churches to help many deaf ministries at one time, and provide help to deaf ministries worldwide. The needs of the Deaf World are great! In a time when many churches are reevaluating their ministries and missions programs, your prayers and support are needed to keep the Gospel light burning so more Deaf people can be saved.
American Sign Language Institute (ASLI) – Since 2000 we have conducted ASLI each summer to help church interpreters get more advanced sign language training. There are even classes for beginners. At the same time we have a Deaf Bible Conference (DBC), so everyone from a deaf ministry can come and learn. Again this year we will conduct ASLI/DBC for the South (July 10-12 – Trenton, Georgia), and another for the North (August 7-9 – Collegeville, Pennsylvania). These meetings are open to everyone ages 12 and above (More info: SilentWordMinistries.org/asli). Please pray for ASLI and DBC, and for the attendees, both Deaf and hearing. Our desire is to help local churches reach more Deaf people for Christ.
New SWMI Missionary Candidates – In June, two new missionary couples will attend SWMI Candidate School as the final step of their approval process as foreign missionaries. Both couples have a special calling to reach Deaf people – Andrew and Melinda Wright to the Deaf in England, Bruce and Amanda Stuart to the Deaf in Ghana, Africa. David Bennett, SWMI Director, has been personally mentoring and teaching these couples in preparation for their mission work. Please pray for these potential SWMI missionaries. We will keep you posted.
Needed: More Missionaries – The Silent Word Mission Board was founded to help missionaries with a special calling and burden for Deaf people “go into all the [Deaf] world.” Allen Snare, who is Deaf, was our first missionary. He continues to passionately serve the Lord, preaching and teaching in the Deaf World, and volunteering at the SWM office when not out in meetings. There is a great need for more Deaf missionaries such as Allen Snare. Recently we have begun praying that God would send us more qualified Deaf missionaries. Please pray with us. The SWMB is here to help and to serve like-minded missionaries reach the Deaf World for Christ.
On behalf of each of our missionaries, I would like to sincerely express my appreciation for your generosity. Your giving allows God’s Word to be preached to Deaf people all around the world. I would also like to add a special word of thanks to you who support the SWM home office. You not only share in the ministry of each of our missionaries, but also share in the blessings of other ministries such as printing, videos, and the Deaf Bible Institute, which reach to thousands in areas where there are no missionaries or deaf ministries. Truly your partnership with us is a gift from God.
For Deaf Souls,
Jon Barr, President
Ted Camp, Founder