On May 4th, 1969 God led my late father Rev. Kendall A. Wilcoxson to organize and establish what we believe to be one of the first all deaf independent baptist churches in the United States. It was totally separated from a hearing church and operated by deaf officers and laymen. It was also a self supported church with about 8 missionaries they also took on for support. Now 37 years later, our family felt led by God and inspired by the deaf in Wichita to revive and reorganize the work at the Silent Bible Baptist Church. However this is just the beginning of what God has planned for our family. Since our decision to surrender to God in the deaf ministry, God has done so much for our spiritual and personal lives and especially to the ministry here in Wichita. We are in awe of His greatness. The verse "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" really has become a reality. Every time satan has presented a problem, God has solved it. Usually in a way that allows us to reap the benefits of it. When we become physically tired and wore out from working independently (As a licensed general contractor) and for the church, God has strengthened us to do even more.

We feel that God has called us into the deaf church building ministry. We feel that God has supplied and continues to supply us with the knowledge to do so. "Deaf church building ministry" is a broad ministry. From the general contractor's side we would like to do nothing more than just the erecting of the building itself. But God has also placed a burden on our hearts for the deaf people themselves and are helping many deaf in Wichita at the present time. Just like you and I, they have problems and differences and some that are only in the deaf culture. There are some hearing people and pastors that think they know the deaf according to some internet research, or pamphlet they've read, or other experiences with other hearing pastors and friends who have known some deaf people. I knew a pastor of a Baptist church that said he had talked to 5 different pastors about deaf ministries they've had in their churches. He claimed that there were but only 2 or 3 deaf that showed up for the interpreting services and never was anyone saved as a result of that ministry. My dearly beloved, I believe there was something wrong with the people in that ministry. It was not the deaf people's fault. I read an article somewhere on statistics about deaf people and it stated that 98% of all deaf people do not attend church. This made me weep and pray, God, what can I do to make it interesting to draw these deaf sheep into the church and lead them to Christ? If you want to know more about how to raise and train horses, you don't go to a pig farmer and ask his opinion. If you want to know more about deaf people, ask a deaf person (Preferably a born again deaf person). We have asked the opinion of our deaf people that God has blessed us with... "What do deaf people like?" As the world changes from day to day, so does the ministry. Deaf people all over the world are different. In our church alone there are four deaf that have a different sign for the same word. Which sign is the correct sign? Communicating with the deaf is more than just learning sign language. Being a minister in God's work is more than just knowing a verse or two in God's word.

To be quite honest, I was truly amazed at the many deaf churches there are now in the United States. According to the statistics that we found...there are 222 deaf ministries with only 63 being baptist. Of those 63 Baptist ministries there are only a handful that are actual churches. The others are interpreting services. What's the difference between "a deaf church" and a "deaf service?"

A deaf service is where the deaf are interpreted to in a language that is from hearing lips and culture. The deaf do not understand the interpreter completely and rarely laugh at the jokes or understand the commentary by the pastor. Then they sing songs many times that are too fast for them to sign and the words arranged in a way that is mind boggling. This is the extent of their service. In "a deaf church" the deaf are led in song by a deaf song leader for which timing and singing on the correct key are obliterated. Then the deaf member is called upon to pray for the services, the offering, or dinner. Then they also are allowed to become deacons and trustees over the heritage that God has given them. They are Sunday school teachers and church workers in a church that is truly sold out for God and His deaf. This is just a skimming of the cream off the milk in God's milk jar for the deaf.

How can the Wilcoxson's be a blessing to you and your ministry? Please give us a call and let us know what we can do for you. We would like to come and present our ministry and our ongoing work here in Wichita. Perhaps you are involved in a deaf ministry at your church and would like to see more results. Maybe you are already a deaf church and are in need of a new addition or improvements to an old building. Maybe you are wanting to support a home mission ministry such as ours. Whatever your burden, pray about it and then please contact us at the above address.

In closing, We would also like more information on baptist deaf churches that have seperate services or churches for the deaf. The Silent Bible Baptist Church would also like to start supporting more deaf missionaries and would like to have them come to their services.

Our family is currently getting ready to start our deputation next year to raise support for our family to be able to go around the world and spread the gospel according to Matthew 28:18-20, by building churches for the deaf as they are part of the "all nations" mentioned in verse 19. And then they also need to be able to "Observe all things that God has commanded them" in a church where they can understand what God has commanded them. We would like to encourage you and your church or ministry to help us help the deaf. We would also be very grateful to anyone who would send us more information on baptist deaf colleges, ministries and churches that we may not be aware of.

Yours in Christ,
Bro. Ron Wilcoxson