Key Points :
- The United Methodist Church of Burundi has created a new ministry to welcome, support and share the Gospel with people who are Deaf or who have partial hearing loss, thanks to support from the United Methodist Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee and Global Ministries.
- The program will enable more than 580 Methodists living in the region to participate in and understand the essential messages during services and various church meetings.
- This initiative marks a turning point for the Burundi United Methodist Church, which had lacked outreach programs specifically designed for people with hearing loss.
The United Methodist Church of Burundi has taken a crucial step toward inclusivity by launching a new ministry focused on welcoming, supporting and sharing the Gospel with people who are Deaf or who have partial hearing loss.
“The mission of Jesus Christ should not be limited to people without disabilities,” said the Rev. Emmanuel Sinzohagera, Burundi Conference legal representative and dean of superintendents. “Jesus saved us without any discrimination.”
Support from the United Methodist Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries made it possible to launch the ministry in the conference. The initiative marked a turning point for the Burundi United Methodist Church, which has lacked outreach programs specifically designed for these constituents.
The program will enable more than 580 United Methodists living in the region to participate in and understand the essential messages during church services and various meetings.
In March, the church officially launched sign-language interpretation courses for lay and clergy representatives of the 10 districts of the Burundi Conference, as well as for members of the conference’s evangelism committee.
The program, which began with a keynote address by Sinzohagera, was followed by comments by Prempeh Collins Kwasi, a special envoy from Global Ministries, as well as representatives who oversee Burundi’s ministries with people with disabilities.
Kwasi, who is Deaf, congratulated the conference “for taking the step of reaching out to people like me.”
“I’m Deaf, but I’ve had the privilege of going to school,” Kwasi said. “I’ve finished my university studies in theology at Africa University. I encourage families with children who have hearing and speech problems to send them to school instead of discriminating against them. They have the ability to communicate like everyone else.”
The five-day training session enabled over 20 participants to acquire basic sign-language skills. Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity but also highlighted the need for further training and resources.
“We are happy to have learned the basics of sign language, but this is just the beginning,” said Ahishakiye Chantal, Cibitoke Parish.
Salomon Munyembabazi of the Rohero Parish agreed.
“We are asking for further training opportunities, learning materials such as videos, and the possibility of participating in future sessions with a partner from our district for ongoing support.”
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Sinzohagera praised the participants for their dedication and the superintendents who facilitated their involvement. He emphasized the crucial role they will play in ensuring that people who are Deaf or who have partial hearing loss receive God’s message.
“You are now instruments in God’s service,” Sinzohagera said. “We hope that partners such as Global Ministries will continue to provide financial support to improve your skills. Our ultimate vision is to establish dedicated services for the Deaf and hard of hearing, ensuring their full participation in the United Methodist community in Burundi.”
Niyiragira is secretary of the Burundi Conference.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free daily or weekly Digests.
