News Summary
Community Bible Church in San Antonio has appointed Pastor Ashton Luff as its first full-time deaf pastor, aiming to bridge the leadership gap for deaf individuals in church ministry. With an estimated 78,000 deaf residents in San Antonio, Luff’s hiring is a significant step towards inclusivity. He plans to hold Saturday evening services specifically for the deaf community, while also teaching basic ASL to his colleagues. Despite challenges in deaf ministry, Luff’s leadership is expected to enhance representation and foster engagement within the church.
San Antonio, Texas – Community Bible Church has appointed Pastor Ashton Luff as its first full-time deaf pastor, marking a significant milestone for the church and the deaf community in the area. Pastor Luff’s hiring is seen as an effort to bridge the gap in leadership for deaf individuals in church ministry, a field that often lacks adequate representation.
Lead Pastor Ed Newton, who was raised by deaf parents and has a longstanding background in American Sign Language (ASL), recognized the uphill battle for deaf individuals to find inclusive worship spaces during his upbringing in Florida. Since becoming the lead pastor at Community Bible Church in 2016, Newton has witnessed a gradual increase in local churches providing ASL interpretation and Bible study classes; however, the overall shortage of full-time deaf pastors remains a critical issue.
Community Bible Church has responded to this need by successfully recruiting and hiring Pastor Luff, whose appointment has generated buzz across social media platforms. Luff, who is now believed to be one of only about five full-time deaf pastors in the United States, aims to connect the church with the estimated 78,000 deaf individuals residing in San Antonio.
In an effort to foster community engagement, Pastor Luff has initiated Saturday evening services targeting deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees. These gatherings are estimated to attract around 100 participants, alongside hearing individuals interested in learning ASL. Voice interpreters are also provided at these services to accommodate guests who do not know sign language, ensuring an inclusive environment for all attendees.
As the sole deaf employee among 275 staff members at the church, Luff has already begun teaching basic ASL to his colleagues to improve communication within the church community. He has expressed feelings of being welcomed and at home within the church, appreciating its embodiment of what a church should represent.
Prior to his role at Community Bible Church, Pastor Luff served as a youth pastor for over 20 years in Ohio and was involved with First Dallas Deaf, a ministry connected to a megachurch. He first met Pastor Newton approximately four years ago and initially declined an invitation to join Community Bible Church in consideration of family obligations. However, this changed after he worked as a contract worker and accepted a permanent position in San Antonio.
Despite the positive developments associated with Luff’s hiring, there remains a significant challenge within the deaf ministry realm, as many deaf individuals, estimated at over 95%, do not attend any church due to a lack of appropriate services. In Texas, the deaf population is around 350,000, yet only a few deaf churches and ASL interpreters are available to meet the needs of this group.
Pastor Newton has emphasized the necessity for a deaf pastor who can convey biblical messages in a manner that resonates with deaf individuals, noting that ASL does not have a direct sign for every English word. Their communication during meetings typically utilizes video calls with closed captioning to showcase their commitment to accessibility and effective communication.
Community Bible Church’s approach to its deaf ministry is characterized by an inclusive philosophy that prioritizes ASL as the main mode of communication. The church is committed to building relationships and fostering active participation of all individuals, regardless of their hearing ability. As part of this mission, Luff’s leadership is expected to further enrich the church community, paving the way for increased visibility of deaf representation in ministry.
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Additional Resources
- Chron: San Antonio Church
- Wikipedia: Community Bible Church (San Antonio)
- Crosswalk: Community Bible Church Announcement
- Google Search: Deaf Pastor Representation
- KSAT: Deaf Voters in Bexar County
- Google Scholar: Accessible Worship Spaces
- Outreach Magazine: Interview with Ed Newton
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Sign Language
- Syracuse Obituaries: Peter Williams
- Google News: Deaf Community Engagement
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