Our brothers and sisters who are deaf or hearing impaired can be forgotten since their disability is not physically apparent. More people than we realize are deaf or extremely hard of hearing. You cannot tell by meeting them until you try to communicate with them. It is then that we can begin to realize that this is another huge mission field among us. Our district's Deaf Ministry brings the Word and Sacraments to our deaf members and their families, as it reaches out to bring more deaf people to the saving knowledge of their Lord and Savior. It is both a ministry and resource development assistance for the deaf.

The Lutheran Deaf Mission Society (LDMS) has been established on a local and national level by Rev. John Reinke and Rev. Bud Palmer (both missionaries to the Deaf), Rev. Dr. Rodney Rynearson, National Director for Deaf Ministry and Rev. Dan McMiller, SWD Mission Executive.  A Mission Support Team (MST) has also been formed for Deaf Ministry in southern Wisconsin. Both Pastors Reinke and Palmer work in collaboration with Dr. Harald Tomesch on the development and administration of theological training for the deaf on a local and national level.

Pastor Reinke, Deaconess Hycnar and Pastor Palmer

The ministry of the Lutheran Deaf Mission Society-South Wisconsin Area Branch (LDMS-SWB) is to help the deaf (and their families) see Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and help deaf people serve Jesus Christ as His redeemed people.

Pastor Reinke serves as Missionary at Large to the deaf for the District as well as pastor to Our Savior Lutheran in Madison and Holy Cross in Delavan. Pastor Palmer’s ministry to the deaf is in the eastern region of the District, serving Emmanuel Lutheran, West Allis where he has developed a deaf choir, and other mission sites. These two pastors work together in developing many new models for ministry to the deaf including a “church without walls” for the many unchurched deaf who are spread across the District and beyond.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).

West region

East region

Also visit deafjesus.org