DOOR-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Jeremy: System Administrator
Whitney: Communication Coordinator
Children: Evan and Josiah Simons
Jeremy was born Deaf, grew up in New Mexico, Washington State and Arkansas. He graduated from Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock. Whitney is hearing and was raised in Enid, Oklahoma. Both of them came from strong Christian families and accepted Christ at a young age. While attending college in Tulsa, their relationship with the Lord grew deeper as they were mentored by individuals who loved the Lord.
Jeremy's major was in Computer Networking. Whitney, who had a desire to work with the Deaf since she was a little girl, obtained a Deaf Education degree. The first Deaf person she ever met was Jeremy. They met at a Bible study in 1997. In 2001, they were married.
They moved to Little Rock and began leading the Deaf youth ministry that Jeremy's mother had established in 1992. Two years later, God enabled them to attend a one year intense Bible training with D.O.O.R. (Deaf Opportunity Out Reach). The Deaf Christian Leadership Training Center was in Budapest, Hungary. In August 2003, they began studying CBS (Chronological Bible Scripture). They learned 170 Bible stories and how to teach them in a culturally significant way to the Deaf. Their experience at DOOR was life and soul changing. They understood better how to reach the Deaf and how to teach them in a way that the Deaf could comprehend. Once understood, the stories could be transferred to others. They lived with 24 Deaf people from seven different countries. This broadened their understanding of Deaf from other cultures and their heart to reach the Deaf world for Christ.
They also learned a great deal about themselves and how to work together in ministry as a team. While the Simons were in Hungary, Whitney became pregnant with their first child. After graduation, they returned to the US and welcomed Evan into their family!
During this time back in the States, they lead the Deaf ministry at Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas. They continue their work with the Deaf youth ministry. Jeremy works as an IT support for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, while Whitney cares for their family. They also added Josiah to their crew.
They now have been invited to join the DOOR staff in Nairobi, Kenya. During the next four years, they will be assisting other countries translating the Bible into their heart language, Sign Language, and will be discipling those Deaf involved in the Bible translation.
Please pray for the Simons and the Deaf who will learn of Jesus Christ through their ministry.
