When “Unreached” Takes on New Depth

From My Heart: A Deaf Perspective on Mission and Leadership

I took a break from writing blogs—not because I lost interest, but because the process takes significant time and effort. Writing is just one part; making it fully accessible means recording a video in ASL, writing a transcript, checking grammar, adding a voice-over, and ensuring captions are accurate. That’s the reality of creating content that truly includes both Deaf and hearing audiences. And I don’t have a media team to make this happen quickly.

But after engaging in dialogue with a few families, they shared that they would love to read what I write from my heart. That encouragement is what has led me to start writing again. I apologize if this content is not fully inclusive and accessible—I will do my best to make it work. Please pray that God will bring a group of volunteers and major donors to help make this possible. We especially need a media team to develop all-inclusive resources for families.

After learning that our platform is strongly reaching a hearing audience, I’ve also realized how important it is to share my perspective. Many parents I’ve met are deeply curious about me—my background, my passion, and my work. I understand why. For many, I may be the first Deaf adult they’ve encountered who doesn’t speak English yet demonstrates excellence in leadership, strategy, and work ethic. That reality challenges what they’ve been told is possible.

The truth is, I love writing about missiology: God’s heart for all nations. I love diving deep into what it truly takes to reach Deaf people with the gospel and how we can raise the bar for Deaf leadership. More than that, I’m passionate about sharing this truth: we were created with a purpose, and we are called to live it out. We are not meant to mold ourselves to fit the expectations of hearing people who want us to look, act, or communicate like them. God designed us uniquely, and our identity in Him is not something to be compromised.

This blog is an extension of that passion—a place to explore the depth of our calling, challenge assumptions, and press into the urgency of reaching the Deaf with the gospel.

Unreached, what?

When we hear the word “unreached,” we often think of people who have never encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ. While this is true, it only scratches the surface of what “unreached” means for Deaf people worldwide.

For the Deaf community, being unreached extends beyond access to the gospel—it encompasses cultural barriers, linguistic challenges, and a history of neglect, destruction, marginalization, and being overlooked.

Imagine a ministry traveling to a remote village to share the gospel. Alongside the message of Jesus, they bring clean water to meet the villagers’ physical needs—a wholistic approach that nurtures both body and soul. However, when it comes to the Deaf people, ministries often limit their focus to spiritual needs. The equivalent of clean water—physical, identity, cultural, and relational support—is frequently ignored.

To truly reach the unreached, ministries must recognize that Deaf people are more than a marginalized group; they are image-bearers of God, uniquely designed with gifts and talents that reflect His glory. Reaching them requires stepping outside familiar frameworks and embracing their world on their terms, with the fullness of Christ’s love.

The Story of Grace

I once heard an incredible story from two friends who serve Deaf people overseas. They discovered a Deaf woman—let’s call her Grace—living in an abandoned house with dirty water and no access to basic hygiene. She didn’t know sign language and had been left to survive on her own simply because she was Deaf. And somehow, she did.

At first, Grace didn’t understand what friendship meant—she had been alone her entire life. No one had ever invested in a relationship with her. She had never been nurtured, never experienced the kind of love and care that should be foundational to a person’s life. One day, Grace finally invited them inside for a meal, but as a result, my friends started getting sick. They realized they couldn’t all go on visits together, or they would risk everyone being sick at the same time and wouldn’t be able to see her for a while. So they took turns—one would visit while the other recovered. It was sacrificial, inconvenient, messy, and slow, but love is often that way.

Over the next year, they taught Grace sign language, how to cook, take care of herself, and live in a healthier way. More importantly, she began to understand what friendship really meant. In time, Grace invited Jesus into her heart. Her story is heartbreaking, but it’s not unique. The reality is, she was abandoned because no one knew what to do with her. Her family, likely overwhelmed and unequipped, left her to fend for herself when she was a child. This is what happens when families lack access to resources, support, and a community that understands. It’s what happens when Deaf children are seen as a burden rather than as image-bearers of God, created with a purpose.

Action Step: Partner with Deaf Kids Connect

The work of reaching Deaf people is not just about access to the gospel—it’s about ensuring they are seen, valued, and embraced as full members of the body of Christ. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Partner with us today, and let’s walk alongside each other. We are on the same team.

As We All Become Completely One,

Tanya Polstra

Executive Director of Deaf Kids Connect