Deaf Community Worships for 40 Years at Dallas-area Church
Legacy Church of Christ has a long history of serving this largely unreached group.
Between 30 and 40 people gather together on the second floor of Legacy Church of Christ in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas each Sunday. It may look and sound different from the service in the main sanctuary, but the worship and preaching is just as authentic. Those gathered on the second floor are deaf or hard of hearing.
Photo taken by Kim Roberts
Legacy has been engaged in ministry to the deaf community for over 40 years.
In 1981, Terry and Cindy Heidecker, both of whom are deaf, began the ministry to provide an opportunity for deaf members of the community to worship in a way that is more familiar to them rather than having to adjust to a service geared toward the hearing.
The church offers Bible classes and a worship service in sign language, with interpretation for those who are hearing. The worship service is also streamed online for those who are homebound.
David McTee, a deacon at Legacy, has been involved with the deaf ministry for years. He goes to the deaf worship service, even though he’s hearing. He says he felt called to be a part of the ministry.
McTee told MinistryWatch the communication of God’s Word is magnified in the deaf worship service.
“The people are very animated. The Word comes to life more during the sermon. It will touch your heart like a hearing service can’t,” McTee said.
He encourages anyone to visit a service focused on ministering to the deaf. “You’ll likely be uncomfortable at first, but you’ll be welcomed.”
McTee was quick to point out that while deaf people may worship differently, they are not disabled. “They are very capable, loving, and dedicated people,” he said.
Legacy’s deaf community is very social. The once-a-month fellowship lunches are very popular. Often people arrive early before worship on Sunday to gather, talk, and have donuts and coffee.
According to the U.S. Census, at least 13% of the population is deaf or experiences some kind of hearing loss. And yet, this group remains one of groups that is considered most unreached with the Gospel.
McTee encourages more churches to pick up the mantle of outreach to the deaf. He acknowledges that it comes with challenges, but says it will be worth it. Challenges include a lack of ministers who are deaf nor enough qualified American Sign Language interpreters.
Also, the deaf community has its own culture and idioms that hearing persons may not understand. McTee described the deaf as thinking more in pictures, as opposed to hearing persons who think more in words.
McTee’s advice for starting a ministry begins with ensuring that the church leadership be in full support of the ministry outreach – for funding, equipment, and longevity.
Building a deaf ministry will take time, McTee advises, because you’ll need to build trust with the deaf community who want to see that you are “in it for the long haul.” It may just be a handful of participants at first, but over time that will build as the community sees the ministry has staying power, he said.
“Don’t go cheap!” McTee emphasized. He advised hiring a well-trained interpreter. “Using the wrong signs can teach the wrong thing. It could turn someone off to Christianity. You need someone who can make the concepts clear.”
Legacy is trying to increase its outreach to the deaf in the surrounding community, especially children and teens. They have started hosting a deaf festival in early November with food and games.
They want to reach the whole family by showing the parents that Legacy is a safe, caring place for their children where they can learn more about God.
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