Our Mission

ILDA is an organization committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ among deaf and hard-of-hearing people through mission work in the U.S. and around the world. In our local congregations, we work together to tell the deaf people in our communities about the salvation we have in Jesus. Our main focus is to support Lutheran mission work with deaf people in other countries. We support them with our money, prayers, and people to do the work.

 

What is ILDA?

Desiring to be faithful people of God, led by Him and our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, and inspired by His Word as it is brought to us in the doctrines, teachings and confessions of The Lutheran Church­Missouri Synod, the International Lutheran Deaf Association commenced its ministry during its first biennial convention in Chicago in 1971.

In aspiring to create the highest possible levels of faith and Christian service in its churches and congregations and to promote the Gospel of Christ among the deaf everywhere, the revised Constitution states the International Lutheran Deaf Association shall "enrich the lives of deaf people through spiritual growth and develop Christian leadership among all with whom we associate."

With over a quarter of a century of faithful service, the International Lutheran Deaf Association offers praise to the Lord of the Church for the many accomplishments it has been permitted to achieve and blessings upon its ministry.

 

What Has ILDA Done?

With over $400,000 in mission projects funded since its inception in 1971, both at home and abroad, the ILDA continues its mission of Christian service with a current two year goal of $40,000 for projects which include continued missionary works in Ghana and India. Thousands of deaf in Ghana are hungry to learn about Jesus. As in the past, help will be sent to Ghana, India, Starfish, and deaf camps. Current projects are as followed: Christian/Bible Lessons for Deaf Children ($7,000), D.I.T. Training Materials ($6,000), Africa Leadership Training Materials ($6,000), Rev. Leber's Deaf Camp in California ($3,000), Youth Service Project ($7,000), Starfish Learning Center ($5,000), and India Leadership Training Materials ($6,000). Click here to see the latest information about our Mission Projects.

The International Lutheran Deaf Association in endeavoring to promote spiritual growth, fellowship and Christian service among its membership has also given greater visibility to those outside the hearing church and in so doing has very ably demonstrated their ability to administer their own ministerial programs. 

India received $20,000 from ILDA to help purchase land for a Deaf Lutheran Training Center. Almost 3 acres of land in Hosur, India was purchased with the money.

Jennifer Knaack shows her wares from her mission in Macau, China.

Rev. John Reinke and his wife display their warewobes and wares from their mission in Ghana, Africa.

Ep-phatha Lutheran Deaf School in India.
		Youths and Adults in Youth Service Projects. This group served in California during summer 2003.
Deaf students of Jamasi School in Ghana, Africa.
		Deaf Graduates of Starfish Lutheran Deaf Learning Center at Christ Deaf Lutheran Church, Cleveland, Ohio.

 

Current and Future Programs

As we near the end of the first one hundred years of enjoying God's Word brought to us in our own language, the International Lutheran Deaf Association confidentially faces the challenges of a new century as a completely self-supporting organization in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. Realizing that God opens doors of opportunity where we can be of service to Him, the ILDA will continue its mission of outreach programs wherever such opportunities exist.

Present plans calls for continue support for D.I.T., DeafPAH!, DeafJesus.org and for the upcoming 3rd Convocation. Future planing also includes giving greater visibility and participation to those who are both deaf and blind and encouraging them to full membership in the ILDA and its programs.

 

ILDA Council and Board

The ILDA Executive Council includes the five elected members: President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Pastoral Advisor. The LCMS Counselor for Deaf Missions or Task Force Advisor is also a member of the Executive Council (and the governing Board). The Deaf Lutheran Editor and Business Manager is part of the Executive Council upon invitation by the President.

The ILDA Board of Directors is comprised of the six members of the Executive Council, the seven regional presidents, and The Deaf Lutheran Editor and Business Manager.

The editor and business manager of The Deaf Lutheran serves as the pleasure of the board of directors. With a circulation of over a thousand of readers, the paper serves to convey information from the synod as well as general news for its regions.

Also represented on the council is the Ministry to the Deaf and Blind of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod through the office of its Counselor.

 

You Can Help

There are three categories of membership in the International Lutheran Deaf Association­ Active, Associate and Supporting.

ACTIVE MEMBERS are deaf Lutheran lay people. They must be communicant members in a congregation or field of the Lutheran Church­Missouri Synod or The Lutheran Church­Canada. Active members are full voting members of the ILDA. They may propose and vote on Constitution and By-Laws changes. Only active members may be officers in the ILDA or any of its regions.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS are Lutheran deaf or hearing people who are communicant members in good standing of a Lutheran congregation. They are divided into three groups: (1) Lutheran pastors (deaf and hearing) who serve the congregations of the deaf in the Lutheran Church­Missouri Synod; (2) Lutheran hearing people (lay or clergy) who are members of The Lutheran Church­Missouri Synod; and (3) Lutheran deaf people (lay or clergy) who are not members of The Lutheran Church­Missouri Synod.

Associate members can propose and vote on candidates, programs, projects and mission work of the ILDA and its regions. They cannot propose or vote on the Constitution and By-Laws.

SUPPORTING MEMBERS are non-Lutheran Christians who want to join in the Christian ministry of the ILDA through involvement in its purposes and programs. Persons wishing to become Supporting Members are welcomed into the Association, but do not otherwise qualify as Active or Associate members. Such members may make proposal concerning programs and projects but may not vote or be officers in the ILDA or its regions.

All three categories pay the same membership dues, which are currently $20.00 per 2-year. For enrollment form, click here.

All members are encouraged to join "God's 1,000 Club" with an additional biannual pledge of twenty dollars ($20.00) which is earmarked for expenses of the board, thus freeing more of the Association's resources for programs and mission work and achieving self supporting status for the ILDA.

New subscribers wishing to receive The Deaf Lutheran newsletters, click here for subscription form.

Above all, your prayers are earnestly solicitated that the Lord of the church will continue to bless the work of The International Lutheran Deaf Association to the glory of His Name.

"Then looking up to heaven, He sighed and commandede, 'OPEN.' Instantly, the man could hear perfectly and speak plainly!" ­Mark 7:34 "In that day the deaf will hear the works of the Book..." ­Isaiah 29:18