Bob Ayres is one of the leading authorities on ministry with Deaf teenagers in the 21st Century. His book identifies the critical challenges for the Deaf community: how to maintain a cultural identity while scattered
Deaf Diaspora describes the first two waves of Deaf ministry during the last forty years of the 20th Century and the defining traits of the Third Wave of Deaf Ministry as we enter the 21st Century. It provides a practical model for reaching the New Culture of Deafness for Jesus Christ.
Ayres calls for the rediscovery of the spiritual legacy of the DeafWorld as he proposes a definitive plan for the future. Each chapter concludes with a useful discussion guide for students or small groups. This book introduces a number of new concepts and is certain to become the definitive textbook on effective Deaf ministry for many years to come.
Available now from Barnes & Noble or Deaf Missions or iUniverse publishers!
Section 1 - Deaf Diaspora
Evaluates and analyzes the historical dynamics and impact of Diaspora on the Deaf community; illustrates the spiritual legacy in Deaf-World; describes the speed and intensity of the changes in Deaf-World since the 1980s; identifies the resulting spiritual crisis in the Deaf community and presents a definition for a New Culture of Deafness.
Section 2 - Waves THREE
Identifies the definitive traits of the First Wave (1960s and 1970s) and Second Wave (1980s and 1990s) of Deaf ministry and the key traits of the New Culture of Deafness. The definitive characteristics of the Third Wave (2000s and 2010s) are described.
Section 3 - Vision IMPACT
Applies the information in the first two sections to ministry with Deaf teenagers in the 21st Century. Explains the DTQuest model of Deaf teen ministry that is built on these observations about this new generation of Deaf children and youth. An excellent guide for effective Deaf ministry for the new millennium.
Endorsements
"Periodically, something comes across my desk that has major significance in terms of raising my own personal consciousness regarding the needs and experiences of deaf culture. In the last ten years, only two scholarly, excellent presentations have been printed that caught my attention. One of the two is this book. Through this manuscript, I have been made more aware of the significant changes within deaf culture, and have been challenged in my own personal response to those changes."
Rick McClain, Dean, Deaf Virtual University, Birmingham, Alabama
"Bob Ayres has put together a book that is deeply challenging to anyone in Deaf Ministry. The days when deaf churches exists side-by-side with deaf schools are over. Instead of dreaming for 'the good old days' to return, Bob invites us to move on and contextualize the Gospel to make it clear to Deaf people in today's circumstances. He's right on."
Chip Green, The Tenth Coin, Batavia, New York
"Deaf Diaspora is a unique combination of Deaf history and contemporary Christian ministry. The book provides an analysis of the past as well as a model for the future. The author offers provocative insights on how to interpret the changing Deaf World, especially for those who desire to understand and minister to that World. This work is thoughtful, relevant, and engaging for those involved in Christian ministry to members of the Deaf Community."
Kent R. Olney, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Olivet Nazarene Univ., Bourbonnais, Illinois
"In this book Brother Ayres shows an unusually keen knowledge of the past, a strong sensitivity with the present and a proposed plan for the future...all in order to best reach deaf people for Jesus. The book is proving to be an invaluable aid as we train students to minister among deaf people. Ayres excels at evaluating the current situation of deaf people in America, and analyzing how the situation came about and where it may lead."
Duane King, Executive Director, Deaf Missions, Council Bluffs, Iowa
“This is a very exciting book, because it centers Deaf culture just where it should be: in Jesus. This book discusses the history, present, and future of Deaf Culture from a Christian perspective and it is long overdue. Not only that, it is an instruction manual on how to reach out to today's Deaf teenagers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
Matthew Reynolds, National Advisor, DTQuest Region 1 (West Coast)
