September 2015 Prayer Letter

September 2015
Dear Friends and Supporters,

Recently a lady in Trenton asked, “So, what is Silent Word Ministries?” Although she knew we were a deaf ministry, the answer really surprised her. Also, many who visit our ministry leave surprised at what God is doing. (When in the area, please come visit SWM yourself.) I thought it would be good to share with you the many ways SWM is reaching out into the Deaf World for Christ to fulfill our mission statement,

“But we will give ourselves… to the ministry of the word – to Deaf people worldwide” – Acts 6:4

History – SWM began in the fall of 1966. The following January, the first publication of “The Silent Word” newspaper was published – printed on both sides of one page and sent to 50 homes. Silent Word Ministries has grown to also include an extensive publishing ministry for Deaf people and deaf ministries, the Deaf Bible Institute (DBI), the Teaching and Training Bible Institute (T&T), SWM Northeast, the Silent Word Mission Board (SWMB), and SWM International (Foreign Missions). We just completed the annual SWMB Missions Retreat. At this time, SWM has 14 families serving as either vocational missionaries or in the Ministry of Helps. Three of these missionary families are raising support to serve on foreign fields. Numerous local volunteers help send the Silent Word Newspaper and keep the SWM office well-maintained and clean. More distant volunteers also visit and help in their areas of expertise. It is a joy to serve the Lord at SWM!

Blessings Revealed In Numbers Since 1966 – As SWM goes “into all the [Deaf] World,” it is a joy to consider these totals from all areas of our ministry: *Tracts: 2,526,636 – *Deaf Bible Institute Courses: 263,209 – Pamphlets: 126,773 – Booklets: 110,257 – Manuals: 54,785 – Grand Total Printing: 7,062,295 (4 presses) – SWM Gospel DVDs: 70,905 – Other SWM DVDs: 4,870 – DBI Enrolled: 1042 – T&T Bible Institute Enrolled: 80 – *Silent Word Newspaper Circulation: 12,000, plus 1,030 online – 2015 Salvation Decisions Reported: 326 – Grand Total SWM Salvation Decisions Reported: 13,819 (USA and Foreign) – What a joy to know that God is using these materials and missionaries to Reach and Teach Deaf people for Christ! *Sent FREE as the Lord Provides

Fall Meetings and Ministry – This fall SWM missionaries will continue traveling, preaching, teaching, and sharing the Gospel. Deaf ministry Fantastic Saturdays have already begun. Drew and Melinda Wright are planning a survey trip to England with SWMI Director David Bennett. The Wrights, Nicole Condra, and Bruce and Amanda Stuart continue to raise support as foreign missionaries. All SWM missionaries will be presenting their ministries in missions conferences and regular church meetings. Many other projects are in progress at the SWM home office. Please pray for all SWM missionaries and for more laborers. It is a joy to ask prayer for, as Allen Snare says, “more Deaf people to be saved.”

Ambassadors – SWM is a unique missionary deaf ministry. We only build as the Lord provides. It is a blessing that Silent Word Ministries remains debt-free. Thank you for helping and praying so we can “give ourselves…to the ministry of the word – to Deaf people worldwide.” We realize that God does not call everyone to the deaf ministry, but He does call some. I am, and we are, thankful He called us. Through the many long hours of ministry, teaching, preaching, traveling, and preparing, I recently realized… our ministry is not a job, it is a joy! Thank you for the privilege to serve as your ambassadors to the Deaf World!

For Deaf Souls,

Jon Barr