May 2008
In Matthew 16:18b Jesus promised, "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades (hell) will not overcome it." Jesus IS building His church, and I am humbled to see how He has used, and continues to use, this ministry to touch and change people's lives now and for eternity. Of course, since day one, God has burdened people's hearts to join with us in this mandate He has given us, at Deaf Ministries Worldwide, to share the Good News of His amazing love with Deaf men, women and children. In Acts 20:24 (NIV), "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me&emdash;the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." I like that picture of "the race". Imagine a marathon runner--he must stay on the specific course, he must keep going, running steady, faithful. He must keep focused on reaching the finish line. As I run the race Jesus has set before me, I do not want to waste my life, and I am sure you do not want to either. We want to finish the race and complete the task that the Lord Jesus has given us to do. Most people do not realize: There are 250 million Deaf people around the world. If all the Deaf came together in one place they would form the fourth largest nation in the world. Only 2% of the Deaf profess Jesus as Lord. Wycliffe Bible Translators has discovered 103 different sign languages worldwide so far. As you can see there is much work to do in the Deaf harvest field, and I believe our theme, "Sending God's light and truth to Deaf people everywhere" is more relevant today that it was nineteen years ago. God says in Ezekiel 18:4, "Behold all souls are Mine..." (NIV). Think of it--every soul, of every person belongs to God and He wants every soul to unite to Him! In 2 Peter 3:9 it says God is "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." And in 2 Corinthians 6:2 we read, "Now is the day of salvation." Now is the day of salvation for the Deaf! We are in a race and time is running out for hundreds of Deaf people everyday. I ask you to prayerfully consider joining with us, as together, we continue sending HIS light and truth to Deaf people everywhere! Thank you. We ARE Workers Together,
Gary Barrett 
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