DOOR was founded in 1983 as a ministry dedicated to the training of Deaf leaders and the establishing of indigenous Deaf churches.
DOOR merged with United World Mission in September of 1995. In July of 1999 it was registered as a not-for-profit organization called D.O.O.R. International (Deaf Opportunity OutReach).
From 1999 to 2006, DOOR trained 302 Deaf people from 48 countries in one-year Deaf Christian Leadership Training programs. These Deaf believers learned God's Word in a Deaf context, using Chronological Bible Storying.
From 2006 to the present, DOOR has been focusing more on translating God's Word into the Sign Languages of the world, as a necessary step towards Deaf church planting. Below, you'll find the vision, goals, and desired impact that define and shape DOOR and its ministry activities.
VISION
DOOR’s vision is to bring God’s Word and biblical Christian fellowship to Deaf communities worldwide. We intend to reach, train, and mentor Deaf people in every country of the world.
The hallmark of DOOR’s ministry is that it is created, designed, and carried out by godly Deaf men and women, in the context of Deaf culture and language.
DOOR is all about Deaf reaching Deaf for Jesus Christ.
MAJOR GOALS
DOOR, with God’s help, will...
- Establish an international Deaf Christian research, resource and curriculum program for Deaf Christian leaders and translate Scripture into Sign Languages.
- Establish leadership training program for Deaf Christians on each continent.
- Establish indigenous, reproducing Deaf Believers’ Fellowships in every country of the world through our Deaf programs.
- Establish an association of Deaf Believers’ Fellowships that promotes evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, growth and reproduction of Deaf Believers’ Fellowships.
- Establish a Deaf Awareness program that educates hearing Christians about the need to provide Sign Language Scripture, Deaf Christian leadership resources and Deaf-led training for the Deaf.
IMPACT
DOOR prays the impact will be …
- Many Deaf people will become followers of Jesus.
- Deaf Christians will focus on God above everything else.
- Deaf Christians will use God’s Word to guide their daily lives.
- Deaf Christians will use God’s Word to evangelize Deaf in their local communities.
- Deaf Christians will use God’s Word to disciple Deaf in their local communities.
- Deaf Believers’ Fellowships will worship God in their heart language – Sign Language.
- Deaf Believers’ Fellowships will practice unity and love for one another.
- Deaf Christians will use God’s Word to train Deaf Christian leaders.
- Deaf Christian leaders will reproduce and multiply Deaf Believers’ Fellowships throughout their countries.
- Deaf Christians will influence their communities to love one another.