Deaf Diaspora: The Third Wave of Deaf Ministry

by Bob Ayres

Deaf people have the right to read, study, pray, worship, serve, discuss, and meditate on God's word. Ayres calls for the rediscovery of the spiritual legacy of the Deaf-World as he explores the history of ministry programs and proposes a definitive plan for the future. Deaf ministry patterns over the past forty years are highlighted and a description is given of the New Culture of Deafness-brought about by the radical changes in Deaf-World.Each chapter concludes with useful discussion guides for students or small groups.Ayres calls for the rediscovery of the spiritual legacy of Deaf-World as he explores the history of ministry programs and proposes a definite plan for the future. "An invaluable contribution to the field of Deaf ministry "-Rick McClain, Deaf Pastor for College Church of the Nazarene, Olathe, Kansas"An unusually keen knowledge of the past, a strong sensitivity with the present, and a proposed plan for the future "-Duane King, Founder/Executive Director, Deaf Missions, Council Bluffs, Iowa"God has clearly inspired Bob to write this book for precisely 'such a time as this.'"-Mary J. High, PhD, Associate Professor, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina"Deaf Diaspora is a 'must read' for anyone who is active in or serving a Deaf Christian ministry "-Mark Seeger, Pastor, Jesus Lutheran Church of the Deaf, Austin, TexasIncluded are inspirational personal narratives by Chad Entinger.

200 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2004

About the author

Dr. Bob Ayres serves as a leadership consultant with REA Leadership Resources and is the Pastor of Formation at Servants of Christ Anglican Church in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Ayres is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Florida. His career has included founding Deaf Teen Quest (Youth For Christ USA), directing the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky, Education and Counseling Center, owning/managing a wholesale/retail business, and teaching middle/high school.

Reviews

[James Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone interested in Deaf ministry.

[Marlana Portolano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best book on the current state of deaf ministries I've read, and the most accurate depiction of the contemporary moment in Deaf culture. At one point the authors describe a typical group of Deaf teens today, and how they range from C.I. users who speak and don't sign to ASL users who sign and don't speak, and (accurately) everything in between. The book looks unflinchingly at the decline in sign language as parents' first choice for deaf children's education, yet it has hope for a new wave of Deaf culture that embraces difference and variety in visual communication even as it preserves sign language heritage. The idea that churches could have a key role in the preservation and development of a new generation of Deaf culture as it dwindles in schools is encouraging on many levels. I would like to see a version of this on a prestigious and competitive publisher's list, where more special interest readers would find and consider it.

[Dan Kauchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good in helping me discern what to do next year, pretty encouraging.