Filmmakers throughout the years have taken a stab at telling the story of Jesus Christ’s life. From historical documentaries to more embellished retellings, audiences are likely familiar with the material. However, audiences probably haven’t seen Jesus’s story told entirely in American Sign Language (ASL). Deaf Missions is an organization dedicated to making the Gospel accessible to Deaf people. They produce inspiring video content in ASL as well as resources for further learning. And now they’ve created something even bigger.

On June 20, Deaf Missions released Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film in select theaters. Deaf Missions also provides the opportunity to host a movie screening for local churches or schools, complete with promotional materials and other resources. This film was made by and for the Deaf community. This is evident in the spotlight on ASL, and the power of signed languages more generally, what Deaf Missions call the “heart languages“ of Deaf people. But don’t be fooled: this movie will touch the hearts of audiences, Deaf and hearing alike. The movie is fully signed in ASL but is also captioned. Everyone has the chance to see and understand the heart of this story through the Deaf lens.

The People Behind the Mission

Deaf Missions was founded in 1970 by Duane King. King started ministering to Deaf people after inspiration struck while working at a church in Nebraska. Since its inception, the organization has extended its reach throughout the United States and around the world. From training centers to 23-year Bible translation into ASL, Deaf Missions has done it all.

Jesus is not the first filmmaking endeavor to come from the Deaf Missions team. They’ve produced and worked on a number of video series and TV shows in the past. The Finger Food Café takes place in an imagined cafe where hearing and Deaf people mingle, sharing experiences and cultures. Dr. Wonder’s Workshop is another big achievement for Deaf Missions. This children’s TV show features Deaf actors and American Sign Language. It’s available for viewing on YouTube and various Christian TV networks.

Taking on the Big Screen

Given their strong background in video content and TV, it’s no surprise that the creatives at Deaf Missions chose to tackle the big screen next. A Deaf producer and director team consisting of Michael Davis and Joseph D. Josselyn brought together a star-studded cast of native signers to bring this story to life. Just a few notable cast members include Gideon Firl as Jesus, Miles Barbee as Peter, Joseph Pfaff as Pontius Pilate, and Yamila Davis as Mary Magdalene.

In an interview with Christianity Today, Director Joseph D. Josselyn said that making the film purely in ASL broke down barriers. The fully visual language allows Deaf audiences to connect directly to the action playing out on the screen. They can understand immediately without needing to rely only on captions. Josselyn also emphasized that they didn’t directly translate the Bible’s events. Instead, they took their own unique spin on a classic story, all the while incorporating elements of Deaf culture to make the message even more impactful.

With Deaf people front and center both on and off-screen, Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film sets itself apart from other movies of its kind. Even the sound creation for the film was fronted by a deaf/hard-of-hearing woman. But despite the integral role of Deaf culture in the film’s making, the creators emphasize that this story can reach everyone. Hearing or Deaf, religious or non-religious, they made the film “for everyone to understand the story.”

Take the chance to see this landmark production from Deaf Missions while it’s in theaters. But for those who can’t experience Jesus just yet, don’t fear. In conversation with the Daily Moth, Josselyn said the team is pursuing international distribution and streaming options. This is big news for Deaf Missions — and for Deaf creatives everywhere. Communicating Deaf art to the masses is just the start for the Deaf Missions team. Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film is a pivotal step for the future of the organization and beyond.

Watch the trailer for Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film here: