A widespread form of Deaf ministries is the interpreting ministry model. The reasons for this can include there may be no local Deaf church; Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or Deaf-blind individuals attend a hearing church with hearing family members, or simply attend a hearing church for preference’s sake.
Quite often, the interpreter or team of interpreters helps support efforts to include Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and/or Deaf-blind individuals in the life of a hearing church. Examples are such as planning fellowship opportunities, teaching a sign language class, and coordinating outreach ministry. It also helps churches to better understand the interpreter’s professional role, how it fits within the life of the church, and its place as a part of church staff.
This ministry model is characterized by a hearing congregation providing an interpreter (paid or volunteer) for worship services and other activities.
A few ideas for acquiring interpreters are:
- Contacting sign language interpreting agencies in your area. It’s expensive but can be helpful in a pinch.
- Contacting the state vocational rehabilitation (V.R.) office in your state to ask for recommended resources (they will likely have a directory).
- Contact the state Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission/Office/Coalition (they often have a list of resources or referrals).
- Research colleges and universities in your state that offer sign language interpreting programs, as students need practicum hours. Some professors or department chairpersons may be familiar with Deaf-related resources.
- Go to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) website at www.rid.org (under the “About RID” tab) and search for interpreters on their online directory (it’s best search by state as some interpreters do not mind traveling).
- Do a Google search and type “sign language interpreters in (insert your city or county).
- Contact other Deaf ministries in your area to see if they can recommend someone.
- Ask the Deaf or hard of hearing persons at your church as they may know of potential resources.
- Consider video remote interpreting (VRI), which works if the service is livestreamed, if an in-person interpreter isn’t available.
