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January 2008
Dear Friends,
New Year's Greetings from Silent Word Ministries!
Our Annual Report! The year 2007 was one of our best years
ever! Our 24/7 ministry has become even more productive. Our
Bible courses, tracts, printing ministry and Internet never
sleep. The desire of our ministry continues to be for boldness
to share Christ, wisdom for the best way and open doors of
opportunity that Deaf people will be saved, families
strengthened and churches served.
Literature Report 2007: Videos: We now produce 35 DVDs. We
also distribute 11 other captioned and/or Signed videos/DVDs.
Literature: We now have 92 booklets, an eight-year Sunday School
Program, a discipleship program, and other items to help Deaf
people and deaf ministries. The Deaf Bible Institute now has 749
enrolled including 213 from foreign countries. The Silent Word
Newspaper: Now available by e-mail and on the Internet. Visit
our web page at www.SilentWordMinistries.org. It is always 24/7.
Salvation Reports 2007: We had 944 salvation reports from all
areas (tracts: 9 - Bible Courses: 32 - Internet: 1 - Foreign 104
- Missionaries: 798). Last year our missionaries ministered in
the Ukraine, India, Philippines, Guam, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Our goal continues to fulfill the great commission to go into
all the world (including the Deaf) to preach the Gospel and then
to teach the Word of God.
Accountability Report 2007: We again ended the year debt
free. We maintain sufficient cash on hand to liquidate all
outstanding debts. Our policy is to only build or expand as the
Lord provides. Thank you for making this possible. As you give,
God promises to give to you. "But my God shall supply all your
need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 4:19).
Highlights Of 2007: The Teaching and Training Institute
(T.N.T.) building phases I & II were completed; The Gospel is
now on our website in thirty different languages. Over the last
three months we have had 3,813 visits to our web site, which is
more than double the number of visits during the same period
last year. These visits includes 69 different countries with 25
different languages. A few of the countries are Philippines,
Canada, India, United Kingdom, Hungary, Australia, Ivory Coast,
Brazil, and Malaysia.
Plans For 2008: Work has begun on the new T.N.T. Institute
program and classes. We expect to have the first classes
available on DVD early this fall. The final phase of "The Upper
Room" (living space upstairs in T.N.T. building) is now in
progress. We are excited about this new frontier Deaf ministry
in teaching and training.
Free DVD SWM Presentation - A free DVD is now available to
our supporting churches and friends. The DVD is approximately
five minutes and can be shown in your missions conference, deaf
ministries, Sunday School classes, and personally to those
interested in our unique Deaf ministry. To request a copy just
return the enclosed form with your next support check, or
contact us by mail, phone, or e-mail listed below.
Special Note: Ted and Carlene Camp are planning to visit area
supporting churches to give ministry reports.
Please contact them if you would like to have them visit your
church. A special deaf choir could also accompany them to some
meetings.
Thank you for giving so that we can "Give ourselves to the
ministry of the Word."
For Deaf Souls,
Jon Barr, President
Recommend this newsletter to a friend!
Missionary Report
Praise Reports
Jon and Diane Barr were an
encouragement to a new deaf ministry in Florida. They
also spoke for a deaf Christmas banquet in West
Virginia, and three Deaf people were saved. Jon also led
in the Deaf Men's Retreat in Trenton, where several made
decisions to "Walk With God" during 2008.
Jim and Terry Bracelin had six men make professions
of salvation in the prison where Jim preached in PA.
Four of the inmates in the service were Deaf. Jim also
had the opportunity to speak at a Fellowship of
Christian Farmers breakfast in NJ and a Winter
Fellowship Banquet in MA. Jim and Terry are now also
known as "Grand-dad" and "Mammy." Congratulations to
Monica and Jesse Goins on the birth of their daughter,
Rylie Grace on November 29, 2007. (We understand
everyone is doing well except for the excited
grandparents and great grand dad).
Reed and Donna Condra were able to represent SWM to a
Christian school in IL. Also, it was good to have the
whole family together during the Christmas holidays. Ben
has now deployed with the Marines to CA and will be
heading to Iraq in the early spring.
David and Cathy Harrison completed teaching their
third ten-week session of lip-reading skills and coping
strategies. David also preaching on soul-winning in MN,
and the pastor there is now using David's materials to
train his church members in witnessing and evangelism.
Marcie Rosales has been visiting churches in the
local area and in MI to minister and to increase her
support.
Paul and Rachel Strosnider were married on January 5!
Many were there to wish them well as they started their
home and ministry together as one. They are also
praising the Lord for Shawn's salvation.
Bill and Eleanor Towner have recently had several
meetings in AL, TN, and FL. In those meetings and
through personal evangelism, ten people were saved.
Prayer Requests
Pray for continued protection, safety and health for our
ever traveling missionaries.
Jon and Diane Barr would appreciate your prayers for
some members of Jon's family who are facing some major
health issues. Please pray also for the spring Fantastic
Saturdays starting at the end of February.
David and Vicki Bennett request your prayers
especially for David as he ministers in India for the
next month. He will have many opportunities there to
meet with pastors and ministries, presenting to them the
need for and "how-to" of deaf ministry.
Jim and Terry Bracelin will be involved in a missions
conference in PA and teach Sign Language at a church in
NJ. Please pray also for the many details coming
together for the first combined Deaf Camp and American
Sign Language Institute to be held in the Northeast on
July 21-26, 2008. Many Deaf who would like to go need
sponsorship. Would you be willing to help?
Reed and Donna Condra will be visiting several
churches in the local area with a goal of both
ministering and raising more support. Please pray for
that need.
Mike and Kim Green would like you to pray for more
meetings for them this spring. Their support is now at
fifty-seven percent.
David and Cathy Harrison report that two
hard-of-hearing ladies in their class recently spoke of
attending church faithfully expecting a blessing, but
returning home empty because of their inability to hear
the Word clearly. Please pray for the Harrisons as they
are now teaching their fourth lip-reading class.
Allen Snare is heading to the Bahamas at the end of
February - to preach! Please pray for the Lord to work
in the hearts of the people who attend his meetings
there.
Paul and Rachel Strosnider request prayer for Shawn's
spiritual growth and for Joan with her serious health
problems. Please pray also for the Strosniders as they
make the adjustments to married life.
TNT - Several of the leaders involved in the Teaching
and Training Institute program recently met for an
in-depth planning session. Please pray for this
"pioneer" ministry as it moves forward.
SWM Missionaries needing more support: Jon Barr,
David Bennett, Jim Bracelin, Nicole Condra, Reed Condra,
Mike Green, David Harrison, Marcie Rosales, Paul
Strosnider, Bill Towner and Home Office.
Missionary of the Month - Paul and
Rachel Strosnider
SWM Missionaries needing more support:
Jon Barr, David Bennett, Jim Bracelin, Nicole Condra,
Reed Condra, Mike Green, David Harrison, Marcie Rosales,
Paul Strosnider, Bill Towner and home office.
