Deaf Ministry Report for 2024
GOSPEL OUTREACH CANADA
DEAF MINISTRY REPORT FOR 2024
Background:
Over the last two years, Gospel Outreach Canada has assumed responsibility for 4 Gospel Outreach Evangelists (GOE) that focus specifically on working for the deaf people. These used to be supervised by Gospel Outreach US while funds to support this work coming from Canadian donors were transferred to Gospel Outreach US. In reviewing CRA regulations, it was found that this practice of being a “conduit” of Canadian funds was not appropriate. As a result, 4 GOE positions were then transferred to Gospel Outreach Canada.
These are:
- Alemtshay Sime Zemene in EEUM – Central Ethiopia Field working in Addis Ababa.
- Yohannes Kefyalew in EEUM -North Ethiopia Field working in Mekele.
- James Mabouoch Mawien in SSUM Greater Bahr El-Ghazal Field working in Aweil town.
- John Garang Marko in SSUM – Greater Equatoria Field working in Juba.
All four Fields submit quarterly Performance reports for each of these four GOEs. These would be available upon request. A brief report on each is below:
1. Alemtshay Sime Zemene
- This lady is deaf as well as her husband. She was working in a deaf school and had some students interested in the Gospel. She wanted to bring them to the Addis Ababa Central SDA Church but there were no Sign Language interpreters. Gospel Outreach Canada provided some funds to train Sign-Language interpreters. However, in July, she decided to take a different position in the school where she was. As a result, there currently is no deaf ministry GOE in Addis Ababa.
In March, the GOC Regional Director visited Ethiopia and had an opportunity to meet with Church officials in Addis Ababa to discuss the work among the deaf people in Addis Ababa.They are working on finding another person to work with the deaf people.They expect to have a proposal for a replacement GOE in place hopefully by July 2025.
2. Yohannes Kefyalew
- He is not deaf but is working for the deaf people in Mekele. The Gospel work in North Ethiopia is a challenge in general. So the Field is working on a Business Plan to provide vocational training to the deaf community. This planning began in 2024 and was shared with the Regional Director during his visit to Mekele in March 2024. The focus on this vocational training is tailoring for deaf women and carpentry for deaf men. Evangelism is being planned to be incorporated into the training program. A report of activities in 2024 with plans for 2025 has been provided. Read more
3. James Mabuoch Mawien
- His work in the Greater Bahr El-Ghazal of South Sudan yielded 14 baptisms in 2024. A full report has been provided. In order to assist him in his work, a bicycle, a smart phone and a study Bible were provided to James this March. Funding came from GOC. Read more
4. John Garang Marko
- He is also a deaf person working with deaf people in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. While the Regional Director was there in March 2025, it was realized that he should have some kind of transportation. John teaches deaf people, preaches using Sign Language does outreach work. Although there were no baptisms in 2024 because of his work, he does have 18 deaf people in his Bible Study group. As a result, some baptisms are expected in 2025. Not only does he need some type of transportation, he also could use a smart phone. A full report of his work in 2024 is available. Read more