Door International 2017 Annual Report

2017 annual report Deaf reaching Deaf

Matthew 24:14 reads, “This gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in the whole world as a testimony
to all nations, and then the end will come.” Two
thousand years after Jesus spoke these words,
approximately 220 million people* still don’t have a single
verse of Scripture in their heart language. At least 15% of
them are Deaf.

Nonetheless, hope remains. Deaf are reaching Deaf for
Christ. Deaf teams are translating God’s Word into their
heart sign languages. Deaf church planters are using sign
language Scripture to share the Gospel and raise up Deaf
evangelists, teachers, and leaders.

In 2017, 34 Deaf 2-by-2 teams began 87 Deaf believers’
fellowships and trained more than 200 Deaf leaders. Deaf
translation teams finished work on 316 biblical narratives in
5 sign languages. This gave an estimated 2.58 million Deaf
people access to God’s Word in their heart sign language!

Your partnership helps us equip and empower Deaf
believers. Thank you for the role you’ve played in making
all of this possible. Let us press on together toward the goal:
translation and training for 50 percent of the world’s Deaf by
2025.

Until the Deaf All Understand,

Rob Myers *Based on statistics
published by Wycliffe
Global Alliance.

Translation 2-by-2

Teams drafted 204 34 Deaf 2-by-2 teams
new narratives in are reaching Deaf for
7 sign languages. Christ in 12 nations.

Deaf communities in Deaf 2-by-2 teams
4 nations have first-time trained 271 Deaf
access to Scripture evangelists, teachers,
in their heart sign and leaders in FY 2017.
language

2017 Activities & Impact
Partnerships
Consultants
in Training Increased Deaf awareness
thanks to new partner-
A Kenyan Consultant- ships with Every Tribe,
in-Training became a Every Nation (ETEN),
certified Translation Missio Nexus, and Global
Consultant (TC) special- Evangelism Network.
izing in sign languages!
He is only the 11th Sign language Bible
person in the world to translations featured in
receive this certification. the Museum of the Bible!

Translation

At DOOR, we want to make the Gospel accessible to the Deaf so that none may perish but have everlasting life. DOOR
translation teams have completed 110-narrative Chronological Bible Translations (CBTs) in sign languages throughout
Africa and South Asia. In 2017, Deaf communities across Nigeria, South Sudan, Mozambique, Central Asia, and Eurasia
celebrated the completion of Scripture sets in their heart sign languages.

Many Deaf people, especially in develop- man to get up and walk. He just thought
ing nations like Mozambique, are func- that in his mind and it happened.” She
tionally illiterate. Their understanding was shocked when DOOR’s Consultants
of Scripture comes through interpreted in Training (CITs) explained the truth
services at a hearing church, which of the passages to her. All along, she
often leads to confusion. Deaf people thought that Jesus did everything simply
struggle to distinguish which parts of a by thinking it in His heart, not by speak-
sermon are God’s Word and which parts ing it out loud.
are the pastor’s commentary.
Thankfully, confusion is no longer
This confusion came to the forefront the norm for Deaf Mozambicans.
when Mark 2:8-11 was brought to the Deaf translators finished work on
Deaf community for testing. After watch- 32 Scripture portions in Mozambican
ing the segment, one lady stood up and Sign Language, and they were
asked the team, “Why are you changing published this year. Praise God for
the information? Jesus did not tell that providing access to His Word!

2017
highlights

204

Narratives
Drafted

192

Narratives
Tested

197

Narratives
Checked

400,000+

Deaf gained
first-time access
to God’s Word

training (2-by-2 program)

Deaf people best understand the Gospel when it is brought to them on the hands
of another Deaf person. This principle, Deaf reaching Deaf for Christ, undergirds
our entire ministry. The 2-by-2 program is no different.

When DOOR International “I am more confident to 2017
began its 2-by-2 ministry in share God’s Word with highlights
Kenya five years ago, there the Deaf who weekly
were 16 Deaf-led churches. gather here for fellowship 34
Most of them were suffer- and learning God’s word.
ing from leadership inad- The Bible in Kenyan Sign Deaf 2-by-2 teams
equacies. Today, there are Language and the train- working with DOOR
21 new Deaf-led churches ing I received have made
in Kenya. Each was started me a better leader. We are 87
by a pair of Deaf church seeing more Deaf people
planters trained by DOOR. come to church, receiving Deaf believers’
Christ, and growing in their fellowships started.
Local Deaf believers who faith.”
lead the churches are self- 271
reliant. Most attended a Many Deaf leaders in
three-year training course Kenya have testimonies Deaf evangelists,
led by 2-by-2 teams that like Ruth’s. Training and teachers, leaders
has left them equipped God’s Word in Kenyan Sign
and better placed to minis- Language is equipping and trained
ter to the Deaf. empowering these Deaf
leaders to fulfill the Great 45
Ruth, the leader of a Commission. Their church-
Deaf church in Samburu, es are growing as they Deaf-led churches
recently signed the follow- evangelize and disciple started
ing: unreached Deaf.

Consolidated
Statement of

Activities

DOOR International is a registered 501(c)3 organization. We
strive to honor Christ in all areas of its ministry, including
ethical and financial standards. We are a member of the
Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and
uphold their rules for Christian ministries. Because we value
financial transparency, our finances are audited annually,

and audited financial statements are available upon request.

2% FY 2017

21% INCOME: 2,202,326
Contributions 90,881
Contributions 3% Income Donated Services 611,578
Donated Services Grants 47,785
Grants 74% Other Income
Other Income 2,952,570
Total Income
Program 13% 2,134,922
Administration EXPENSE: 483,191
Fundraising 16% Expenses Program 398,876
Administration
71% Fundraising 3,016,989

Total Expense 24,504
(88,923)
Other non operating expenses
Net Change in Assets

2-BY-2 TRANSLATION
EAST ASIA INTERNATIONAL

Lay foundations for Three Consultants-
2-by-2 work in a In-Training (CITs) will
country holding 20% become certified
of the world’s Deaf Translation Consultants
population. in the next year.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

TRANSLATION 2-BY-2
SOUTH ASIA EURASIA

Recruit and train Three 2-by-2 teams
Deaf teams for 2 new begin ministry in a
translation projects. strategic yet volatile
location.

Invitation to Give

We are grateful for all the ways God used us to reach
the Deaf in 2017. Even more exciting things are on our
horizon!

God is opening doors for 2-by-2 work to begin in a stra-
tegic East Asian nation. This country holds 20 percent of
the global Deaf population. Another 20 percent live in
South Asia, where DOOR is beginning two new translation
projects. The Holy Spirit is revealing opportunities for our
Deaf staff to make Him known around the world.

By sending a gift in the enclosed envelope, you can
help Deaf reach Deaf for Christ.

You can give to our General Fund and help cover a myriad
of smaller, yet critical, operating expenses. You can pro-
vide the resources Deaf translation teams need to draft
more Bible portions. Or, you can equip Deaf evangelists
and teachers with biblical tools and training.

Thank you for joining us on the final frontier of the Great
Commission.

DOOR International

135 N State St, Suite 200
Zeeland, MI 49464

616.741.7200
doorinternational.org