Why deaf sports ministry?

Growing up, sports was an integral part of our lives. Jonathan played baseball, football and wrestled. While Deb in Michigan was an avid runner, swimmer and played volleyball, amongst a variety of other sports. Not only was sports an outlet for us (we were pretty hyper kids!) but it was also a way for us to connect with others and build a sense of family with our repsected teams.

Jonathan, being the only deaf person in his family and in his schools used sports as a way to show others that just because he was deaf didn't mean that he was limited. Any chance he gets now, he's playing a sport of some kind. He went to Judson College (now University) and got a degree in Sport management and with that continued to develop his passion to work with deaf kids and show them their greatest potential.
Deb, growing up in Michigan had a neighbor who was deaf, but was friends with her brothers so she was very limited in her signing ability. Deb used sports as an avenue to connect with kids at camps, and at church where she was a youth leader for several years. She went to Judson College as well and obtained a degree in Psychology. She has a desire to help the kids that are quite often forgotton. She is in the process of getting her Master's Degree right now in Physical therapy.

Together we have decided after much prayer and careful consideration to step into ministry (part time for now with the intention of going full time) focusing on the deaf community and coming alongside through the avenue of sports. We are excited about the possbilities and nervous about the challenges that lie ahead, however we know that there is comfort in Christ as he has gone before us. It is our heart to show deaf kids throughout the area and country that there is so much that they can do and even more with Christ. We want to show them their greatest potential and love the unloveable. It is our prayer that we would be able to connect with deaf kids throughout the local area and into Wisconsin, and build relationships with them as we have fun and even a bit of friendly competition.

We covet your prayers as we embark on this new journey. Pray for hearts to be opened and relationships to be formed.

We do hope that you will continue to check back for updates as to what God is doing in our lives as well as the lives of the people we are interacting with.