Worldwide Projects Fund 2026 Report - Flipbook - Page 6
SLAm! 43
Americas
Language(s): 45
Goals: First Scripture, sign
language Bible translation
A
round the world, there are nearly 400 unique sign languages in use. Until
recently, only 2% of the global Deaf community had been introduced to
the gospel, and only one sign language — American Sign Language — has
had the full Bible. But that’s changing!
>> Join us
in praying for
the teams as they
continue partnering
to see sign language Bible
translation needs
met across these
communities!
Today, Bible translation is happening in more and more Deaf communities
around the world, particularly in the Americas. “SLAm! 43” stands for “Sign
Language Americas 43,” a project designed to research and engage 43 sign languages
across 37 countries or territories in North, Central and South America, as well as the
Caribbean. As a result of this project, we anticipate that Bible translation will start for
the last known remaining languages in 30 countries or territories. Praise God!
In Haiti, the Scripture translation team is addressing this directly by conducting traumahealing workshops with Deaf pastors. They meet online to discuss training materials
that help them reflect on what they have been through from a scriptural perspective.
As the pastors share, they also learn how to support one another. At one recent session,
a pastor spoke about emotional wounds and feelings of rejection he had experienced.
Another pastor in the session responded to his vulnerability with advice, offering solutions
instead of meeting him where he was. This created an opportunity for the facilitators to
explain that listening well, without trying to fix the situation, is an important part of
supporting others.
That led to a frank discussion about trauma, empathy and pastoral care in their
The SLAm! 43
project
is about
churches. Their conversation also highlighted how important these gatherings
more than translation:
had become. Unsafe travel conditions meant that without these online
It’s about access and
meetings, many pastors were isolated and had no way to give or receive
the opportunity for Deaf
encouragement. It was a relief to connect with and support one another,
communities to encounter Jesus
personally
through Scripture in their
defying the distances and dangers that separated them.
own language. Watch how sign
language Bible translation
Throughout the efforts of SLAm! 43, more and more Deaf
is transforming Deaf
communities are realizing that God knows them, sees them
communities across
and loves them — and that He will do whatever it takes to
the Americas.
find them.
