Inclusive church-based evangelism among deaf persons in Kampala diocese, a case study of Silent church, St. Luke's Ntinda

Abstract

This study investigated how church-based evangelism among deaf persons can be made more inclusive, using Silent Church at St. Luke’s, Ntinda, in the Diocese of Kampala, as a qualitative case study. Framed theologically by the imago Dei and the Pauline image of the Body of Christ, the study responded to the concern that, despite the Church’s theological commitment to proclaiming the Gospel to all people, deaf persons continue to experience marginalization within ecclesial life, worship, discipleship and evangelistic outreach. It was guided by three objectives: to examine the barriers that limit effective evangelistic outreach to deaf persons; to assess how clergy, deaf congregants, teachers, parents and missioner groups are engaged as human resources in inclusive evangelism; and to identify practical strategies for strengthening the participation of deaf persons in the Church’s Gospel ministry. Data were collected from sixty-one purposively selected participants, nine clergy, thirteen deaf congregants, five teachers, twenty-nine missioners and five parents through individual interviews and focus group discussions, and were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that deaf-inclusive evangelism is hindered not merely by inadequate sign-language interpretation, but by deeper cultural, theological and attitudinal barriers that devalue deaf persons and restrict their participation. Human resources for inclusive ministry existed but were insufficiently trained, poorly coordinated and not formally commissioned. Meaningful inclusion became possible where accessible communication, intentional resourcing, congregational sensitization, attitudinal transformation and the empowerment of deaf persons as active witnesses are deliberately pursued. The study concludes that deaf-inclusive evangelism is a theological and missional imperative, not a peripheral welfare concern, and recommends systematic sign-language training, the establishment of a dedicated deaf-ministry structure, the commissioning of deaf evangelists, and sustained congregational formation within the Diocese of Kampala. Keywords: deaf ministry, inclusive evangelism, disability theology, sign language interpretation, imago Dei, Kampala Diocese.