Your Help Needed to Support My Ministry to the Deaf

In the summer of 1998, I received a call from the District of Columbia Baptist Convention (DCBC) asking me to consider taking the chaplain position at Gallaudet University, a well-known institution for the deaf and hard of hearing worldwide. I accepted this position, beginning in the fall term of 1998, and I have been working for DCBC since then.

DCBC established a long relationship with the Baptist ministry at Gallaudet University in early 1950. Two previous campus ministers have served for at least 30 years, respectively. They have equipped deaf and hard of hearing college students and invested in their lives, preparing them for evangelism and mission education to the deaf across the world. They were pioneers in this area, because at the time many churches did not have a deaf ministry, but they started a Sunday School.

Throughout history, there have been struggles and challenges for deaf ministries, especially at Gallaudet University. It has been increasingly challenging as most deaf and hard of hearing students have little to no background or experience in their home church. The more significant needs become clarified, so there are concerns about affecting the campus mission and the message.

Gallaudet ministry has been my passion and motivation with the support of the Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf (SBCD). I attended SBCD for many years and have participated at the various officer levels and on the Board of Directors. I am currently a chair of the Ephphthia Scholarship Education Committee. I believe that SBCD’s initiatives will continue to significantly expand the opportunity to represent Gallaudet ministry and learn the great need to develop youth programs and other resources at their home church.

Financial support from DCBC has allowed me to attend the SBCD in the past, but the closing of the Gallaudet Ministry resources amid the Covid-19 pandemic caused some revenue loss for DCBC. As a result, I need to seek financial support to be able to attend SBCD.

This year’s SBCD will be held in Clearwater, Florida, just west of Tampa. It will be a special event as it is the 75th anniversary of SBCD, which was founded in 1948.

I need your help to support my ministry by financing my trip to SBCD Along with 11 members, I will commit to participate in SBCD’s initiatives that need discussion, new development and more significance to achieve the goals. Could you contribute between $500.00 to $2,000 to pay for car rental, hotel and meals?

After SBCD, I commit to share the rich, valved learning about the Gallaudet ministry, SBCD, and the deaf worldwide. Recent statistics show that more than 70 million deaf people worldwide still have not been presented with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have come a long way but there is still a long way to go.

My sincere thank you for considering supporting my attendance at the 2023 Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf. I appreciate it immensely!

To God all the glory.

LeeAnn Carrea, Chaplain, Gallaudet University