DeafYouth Ministries
By Karl Kuiper
Chairperson - Board of Trustees
The Need
Deaf and hard of hearing young people represent a relatively small*, isolated group who historically have been overlooked and neglected by mainstream youth ministry; not only reflecting small numbers, but also reflecting the unique challenges associated with overcoming communicating barriers. Because the work and cost associated with providing ministry to scattered population that is disproportionate to the numbers to be reached and due to a lack of ministry models, no one “stepped up” to get the job done; that is until Bob and
Mission
DeafYouth Ministries is a non-profit Christian organization that exists to positively empower (equip and assist) other ministries, both non-denominational and denominational, to implement effective, sustainable outreach to deaf and hard of hearing young people. We do this by creating relational programs which bring together the best practices of both youth and Deaf ministry to provide the most effective ways to reach and disciple young people.
We accomplish this mission by assisting organizations using our programs through providing ongoing advice, counsel, materials, technologies and education options... utilizing where needed, an innovative national network of partners and volunteers.
Our programs are designed to introduce deaf and hard of hearing young people to Jesus Christ, help them grow in their faith and to train and encourage them on how to effectively serve, minister and lead; incorporating Christian values into every aspect of life. DeafYouth Ministries is a unique ministry that fills a void through its exclusive focus on relational ministry with Deaf young people. This is the only national, interdenominational ministry specifically established for this purpose.
Vision
DeafYouth Ministries has established itself as a focal point for expertise and resources for reaching and discipling deaf and hard of hearing young people. Resources include a variety of related partnerships and collaboration with like-minded ministries and organizations offering the specialized capabilities we need to accomplish our mission together.
Our vision is to always be on the "cutting edge" of Deaf teen ministry and be the "go to" organization for ministry expertise for this unique population. Our program development is under the care of a Board of Trustees but actually research and development is led by a team of young professionals across the country who work with our President, Bob Ayres, for providing excellence in programming. Most of these "hands on" leaders are Deaf themselves and all are directly involved with Deaf teen ministry.
Accordingly, we continuously work to improve and expand our knowledge base, our expertise and our partner network. We strive to identify and establish financial solutions to assure DeafYouth Ministries is fully funded and able to help others in this field. This includes making all working partnerships productive in terms of financial responsibility as well as ministry effectiveness.
Funding
DeafYouth Ministries does not have funding from any one denomination or ministry organization. The challenge of raising funds is true for all in the relational ministry field. Our vision is to identity and establish rinancial resources which put DeafYouth Ministries in the position of being able to sustain itself, and also able to assist our partners by being able to provide at least partial funding for ministry implementation.
We envision have DYM Ambassadors in at least 25 strategic areas to enhance nationwide visibility and financial support for the ministry. We are the logical organization for handling and distributing donated funds and support from grants and foundations. To effective lead this national movement through the next century, we are aware of a need to focus on development, endowments, and funding for creating effective and sustainable ministry for deaf and hard of hearing young people.
· *Target ministry segment for DYM’s programs cover approximately 44,000 deaf and hard hearing young people (ages 13-19) nationwide. 42% of these kids are completely deaf. This translates to about 1 out of every 1000 kids who are completely deaf or who have a “hearing impairment” of educational significance.
DeafYouth Ministries, Inc.
Board of Trustees
Karl Kuiper - Chariperson
karlkuiper@insightbb.com
Linda Rueff - Secretary
tlrueff@bellsouth.net
Amos Valentine - Treasurer
amosvalen@hotmail.com
Zack Coblens
zcoblens@yahoo.com
Tom Gerdis
TomGerdis@hotmail.com
Norb Hancock
nhancock@insightbb.com
Mary Jackson
mherdjack@bellsouth.net
Laurie Valentine
Laurie.Valentine@kybaptist.org
National Team for Ministry Development
Bob and Kathy Ayres (KY)
Matthew Belwood (OH)
Carrie Burgess (GA)
Chad Entinger (IA)
Rick McClain (AL)
Matt Reynolds (OR)
Bob and Karen Rhoads (MD)
Jim Smith (WA)
DYM Ambassadors
Jay and Laurie Mattox (Birmingham, AL)
Jan Humphrey (Seatle, WA)Herb Wagemaker (Jacksonville, FL)
Paul and Maryann Barth (Cincinnati, OH)
Suzy Onderdonk (Mobile, AL)
DeafYouth Ministries
Statement of Faith
