From deaf churches and interpretative ministries across the United States, they came to Taipei, Taiwan, with one common goal — to share the power of Jesus with every person they would meet.
From a 66-year-old former athlete at the 1961 Deaflympic Games to a young man interested in one day serving the deaf internationally, volunteers to the 21st Deaflympics dubbed themselves the “Power Team,” based on the official theme of this year’s games — “Power in Me.”
The games began with opening ceremonies Sept. 5 and ran through Sept. 15.
Brian Sims, pastor of Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church, Brentwood, Tenn., coordinated the trip, which was co-sponsored by the Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf (SBCD). Sims, who is hearing, grew up in the deaf culture.
“The purpose of our trip is to show the deaf the power that is theirs in Jesus Christ,” Sims said. “Our volunteers have a real sense of urgency to share Christ in this setting, where the world has gathered.”
Virginia Stuart, global deaf strategist for the International Mission Board, noted, “From a worldview perspective, the biggest issues confronting deaf around the world are feelings of oppression and powerlessness. When we can show deaf people that they can have power through a relationship with Jesus Christ, they respond.”
Trading pins has long been a Deaflympic tradition, akin to the Olympics.
The volunteer team shared its message by distributing “power pins.” The small, rectangular pin has three deaf symbols set against a red background with three gold stars.
Using the pins as a visual device, the volunteers are sharing how a life built on Jesus Christ can bring light and change.
With an athlete’s build and a love of sports, Beth Driver, deaf ministries coordinator at First Baptist Church, Bowling Green, Ky., had many opportunities to share the “power presentation” in Taipei.
“I was very nervous at first,” Driver said. “I wanted to do it right, but the second day I felt more confident and I began to allow God to work through me. … As I shared with one Asian man at the arena, he told me he believed in many gods. When I explained to him that there is only one God, he was surprised. He had never heard that before.”
Driver did not limit herself only to sharing with deaf people.
“A hearing couple approached me, and the woman asked about the pin. Although she was hearing, she could understand sign language. I didn’t know if the presentation would work with the hearing, but I shared it anyway.
“The woman voiced the presentation to her husband. When I explained about Jesus, the woman began pointing up, telling her husband about Jesus. This was the first time they had ever heard of Him.
“That was incredible,” Driver said. “Even at a deaf event, God can speak to the hearing. I realized we must be faithful to witness, whether the people are deaf or hearing.”
For 81-year-old Kanoy High of Thomasville, N.C., who became a Christian at age 54 at the SBCD in 1982, the Deaflympics is his 13th missions trip.
“I believe it is important for deaf Christians to reach out to the deaf around the world,” he said. “There are so many deaf around the world who don’t know about Jesus.
“People are at the Deaflympics from many different countries,” High continued. “Some of their signs we know, and I am learning others. I want to share Jesus with them in their language.”
High encourages other deaf Christians to go on a volunteer missions trip, and he is thankful to God that he can continue to serve.
“It doesn’t matter how old I am,” High said, “I’m going to keep going. It doesn’t matter where we are going to; I’m going to keep going. Until the Lord takes me home, I’m going to go.” (BP)
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