Hearing is Believing

Fall 2015 - FAIR appeal COLOMBIA Hearing is Believing.Fellowship International in Colombia is committed to reaching the least evangelized sectors of the community, and to mobilizing the national church to work shoulder to shoulder with our Canadian churches in preaching the Gospel through words and deeds that glorify God.

The Invisible People of Medellin

An estimated 20,000 deaf people live in Medellin and the surrounding area. Medellin has only one specialized sign language school and the government provides very little to address the needs of this sector of society. The vast majority of the deaf stay at home, cut off from education or the opportunity to socialize and grow. Many are rejected even by their families because of the challenges associated with learning how to communicate with them. In their own homes the deaf become invisible. In addition, they are often physically, emotionally and sexually abused, or exploited at work.

Hearing the Gospel in One’s Own Language

Ephraim and Eliana Gallego, leaders in one of the El Redil churches, are teachers who specialize in the field of educating the deaf. They have supported this strategic population for over ten years. Thanks to this effort, a group of 40 deaf has been formed. They meet weekly in different parts of the city and function as a church. Oscar Jimenez, and his wife Cristina, are well trained and connected pastoral leaders within the speaking population of the city. They have participated in many of the El Redil church movement’s leadership programs. For the deaf, their deaf friends are the most important people in their lives. Their “church” community is where they are loved and understood. Above all, the church is the place where they can "hear" the Gospel in their own language.

Meeting the Need

The deaf are often very poor. Finding work is much more difficult for them. How can we support them?

1. Biblical and Pastoral Training.

a. FAIR project funds will be used for the theological formation of deaf community leaders through the Biblical Seminary of Colombia. The Seminary is prepared to provide this opportunity.

b. Christian audio-visual materials will be translated into sign language. The team in Colombia is currently translating lectures on family life.

 

2. Pastoral support.

To dedicate themselves fully to this ministry Oscar and Cristina will have to seek other employment. Under present circumstances they cannot be available fulltime to visit, evangelize, disciple and gather the church together as they would like. They want to serve as a pastoral couple, but their small congregation cannot yet support them financially.

 

3. A place to gather as a church.

Various rented facilities are currently used for weekly meetings. Moving around so much does not give this congregation the stability required to move forward as a church. They need a stable meeting place with easy access to public transportation.

 

4. Self-sustaining production and management projects.

The deaf community lacks job opportunities. Helping that community to start small businesses and to use that venue for their meetings, could improve their standard of living. With sufficient funding and with the help of a speaking person, work programs or employment projects with local companies could be established over the next three years. 

The Project Goal: $60,000.

These initiatives have the support, participation, and blessing of the churches of The El Redil Church group in Medellin, Colombia. With the help of our Canadian churches they are eager to push this new initiative forward.

Romans 10:17 (NIV) tells us that “…faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” You can help make sure that those without the physical ability to hear have the same advantages to be exposed to the Gospel as the hearing population.

For more information on how you can participate in this project, go to: fellowship.ca/hearingisbelieving.

—Claudia Cardona and her husband, Diego, are Colombian nationals and associate missionaries with Fellowship International. They have served with the Fellowship since 1998.