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Cecil and Rena Bennett

About Deaf Institute


Cecil and Rena Bennett were challenged to start the Deaf Institute in 1968 because their daughter Cheryl was deaf and was not receiving a clear understanding of the gospel. When Bryan and Pam Eubanks discovered their son Nathaniel was deaf, Cecil was able to help them see the opportunities that Nathaniel would have, with God’s help. Bryan became the Director of the Deaf Institute in 1993.

I came to give life, life that is full and good. John 10:10 (EVD)

A Christian Mission with the Deaf

The Mission of the Deaf Institute is to present the Good News of Jesus Christ to deaf and hard of hearing people. The Deaf need the gospel presented in a way which fits their own unique culture and language. This involves direct contact, training of deaf and hearing leaders, and helping new and established deaf ministries and churches. Hearts and lives can be changed through God’s love.

Before a person can go and tell them, that person must be sent. It is written, "Beautiful are the feet of those people that come to tell good news." Romans 10:15 (EVD)

Fulfilling our Mission in Six Ways
  • Informing About Deafness
  • Starting Deaf Ministries & Churches
  • Encouraging Ministry Training
  • Teaching Sign Language
  • Developing Interpreters
  • Serving the Deaf Community
Encouraging Ministry Training

We help with ministry training for deaf and hearing people through teaching, student recruitment for Bible Colleges, interpreting assistance and scholarships.

The Mission provides scholarships for Deaf Camp, Deaf Leadership Training, Interpreting Seminars, and Specialized Workshops, as funds become available. We provide Bible College scholarships for Deaf Ministry students through the Bennett Scholarship Fund. You may be able to assist us through your employer’s Matching Gifts Program.

Teaching Sign Language

If we communicate in a language deaf people understand, the message is clearer and more personal. We teach basic sign language classes in various settings, encouraging people to learn ASL. Learning to communicate is the first step toward overcoming “deaf related” barriers. Jesus took time to communicate with the deaf man (Mark 7:31-37). Will you?

Developing Interpreters

Would you go to a church where you did not understand the language? Most deaf ministries get started as the result of a need like this. Interpreters are a vital part of deaf ministry. Cecil introduced the Deaf Ministry Program at Cincinnati Christian University. It is now an Interpreter Training Program in cooperation with Cincinnati State College.
 interpreter

Serving the Deaf Community

To reach deaf people, you cannot restrict yourself to a church setting. Our goal is to share Christ's love with deaf people. We do this by serving the Deaf in the following ways:
  1. Raising community awareness of deaf needs and abilities:
    • Everybody Counts Programs in the schools
    • Involvement in deaf-related organizations
    • Presentations for community organizations
  2. Working with parents of deaf/hard of hearing children:
    • "Gifts of Hope" bags are given to families who find out their child is deaf. Included in these bags are books, articles, and gifts to encourage families.
    • The Shared Reading Program helps families with deaf children understand ASL and English while reading together. A deaf tutor brings book bags into the family’s home and teaches them how to read books together.
    • We partner with GE Volunteer Organization and others to make used computer equipment available for deaf students.
  3. Arranging for Sign Language classes and other educational opportunities in community organizations
  4. Making referrals to other organizations
  5. Providing a lending library of videotapes and books


Before people can trust in the Lord for help, they must believe in Him. And before people can believe in the Lord, they must hear about Him. And for people to hear about the Lord, another person must tell them. Romans 10:14 (EVD)

Informing About Deaf

The United States has 28,000,000 hearing-impaired people, with 5,000,000 of them being profoundly deaf.
  • American Sign Language (ASL) is the fourth most used language in the United States.
  • A hearing man in Africa has a greater opportunity of being introduced to the gospel than a deaf person in the United States.
  • We provide programs in schools, churches and other organizations to promote better understanding of the needs and abilities of the Deaf.
  • Each church requesting a Deaf Institute mission presentation will see how God can use them and others to reach the Deaf with the good news of Jesus.
Starting Deaf Ministries and Churches

The Deaf Institute is involved in starting and encouraging deaf churches and deaf ministries. We also provide help for deaf ministers so they can serve more effectively. Our Good News Fund helps to support Deaf ministries with Deaf preachers.

The Deaf Institute sponsors Deaf Family & Friends Camp annually. It is run by the Deaf with advice and support from our mission. We would like to set up regional camps in the future, working together with Deaf Missions.

The Bible tells us God "can do more than we ask or imagine". We need your prayers to help us reach God’s goals for our mission. Several goals have been met through the power of prayer: the Deaf Institute’s building, van, and assistance with deaf ministers in the field. Pray for the mission, the staff, and deaf people who need to be reached with the Good News.
hand Pray, for we have a job on our hands. "Take my hands and let them move..."