GRAND RAPIDS, MI  — For 40 years, DOOR International has been furthering Christian ministry among Deaf communities.

DOOR, the world’s longest-standing international Deaf ministry organization, kicked off its 40th anniversary this month with a Deaf-led celebration in Kenya under the direction of Africa Director, Paul Njatha.

In the coming months, DOOR will host gatherings around the globe to commemorate this stretch of ministry—from its first inroads in 1983 to the worldwide networks of evangelism and discipleship that continues to multiply today.

This thriving organization, whose tagline is “Deaf Reaching Deaf for Christ,” relies on the experience of Deaf leaders to pursue its vision of having every Deaf person  transformed by knowing, following, and serving God. Of the organization’s 230 staff, 85% are Deaf. 

With administrative offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan, DOOR takes a global approach to ministry, with a Florida-based CEO and remote support staff throughout the world. Field staff live, survey, and minister in outposts to reach 70 million Deaf—the world’s largest unreached people group—with the message of the gospel.

“DOOR International’s investment in the lives and ministries of Deaf leaders over the past 40 years has borne incredible fruit,” said CEO Rob Myers. “We have seen over 3,500 Deaf leaders trained as evangelists, teachers, or leaders in the church, and over 1,000 Deaf churches planted.”

Chair of the Board Chris Evans said: “This anniversary marks a monumental time in the history of the Church and evangelism. After two millennia, all the pieces are here to accurately translate God’s word into sign languages, distribute that word rapidly and inexpensively to anyone who wants it, and to plant flourishing churches among Deaf communities around the world.”

Since its inception, DOOR’s ministry has been an innovative endeavor, launching groundbreaking solutions to the challenges of Deaf ministry.

Learn more about DOOR International’s four decades of ministry and how you can get involved today at doorinternational.org.