What God Has Done Since Graduation: Building a Deaf Ministry in the Philippines

Pastor Kevin Lee Scott, Philippines

Graduation can mark the close of one season of study, but it does not have to be the end of learning or service. In the hands of God, what we learn through Scripture can keep bearing fruit: in our homes, our churches, and the communities He calls us to serve.

Pastor Kevin Lee Scott is a Deaf pastor originally from Alabama who now serves full-time as a missionary in the Philippines. He earned his Bachelor in Theology with In His Hands International Bible College, and he is now pursuing his Master’s degree through the college as well. His story is not simply about reaching a graduation milestone. It is about continuing to prepare for service as God leads.

Pastor Kevin is the founder and director of Nomad Deaf Ministry and the Cornerstone Deaf Bible Training Center in the Philippines. He travels throughout the country teaching the Bible, training Deaf leaders, and encouraging churches. These are practical acts of ministry, rooted in the hope of Christ and in the conviction that Deaf believers are called not only to attend church, but to learn, serve, teach, and lead.

"I will most definitely be using it soon for the Masters degree. I just recently wrote a book and it's now selling on Amazon. I have yall to thank for such an awesome program b. I'm currently working in the Philippines as a full time missionary."

That is a simple, heartfelt glimpse of a ministry journey that continues beyond graduation. The thanksgiving in Pastor Kevin’s words belongs, ultimately, to God, and so does the fruit of his work: God’s Word being taught, Deaf leaders being equipped, and churches being encouraged to make room for the gifts God has placed in His people.

Making room for Deaf leadership

The church can overlook the Deaf community, not always through deliberate exclusion, but because people may not know how to make communication and participation accessible. When that happens, Deaf people can be present without being fully included in the life and leadership of a congregation.

Pastor Kevin’s ministry responds to this need through teaching and training. The goal is not simply to create a separate service, but to foster true Deaf leadership and meaningful participation in church life. That distinction matters. Deaf people are not merely an audience to be served; Deaf believers can also lead, teach Scripture, disciple others, and serve the Body of Christ.

Paul writes, “For the body does not consist of one member but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:14, ESV). The Church needs the gifts God has given to all its members. Welcoming Deaf leadership is one way a congregation can honor that truth in practice: by listening, learning, improving access, and creating opportunities for Deaf people to lead.

Kevin travels through the country teaching the Bible, training Deaf leaders, and encouraging churches. His ministry points toward a community where access is not an afterthought and leadership is not limited to hearing people. It is patient work: building understanding, sharing Scripture, and helping people grow in the calling God has placed on their lives.

A resource shaped by a ministry need

Kevin’s first book, The Accessible Church: A Pastor’s Practical Guide to Building, Launching, and Sustaining a Deaf Ministry, was published on September 26, 2026, and is available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover editions. The book’s premise, in his words, is that over 98% of the global Deaf community has never been reached with the Gospel. It discusses budget-friendly technology solutions, facilities checklists, and fostering Deaf leadership rather than a segregated service. The Accessible Church is available here as a resource.

The question of accessibility is not separate from sharing the Gospel. It concerns whether people can understand, participate, build relationships, and serve. Practical changes can help churches take steps toward a more welcoming community, while the deeper purpose remains the same: making Christ known and helping believers grow in Him.

Learning that continues after graduation

Pastor Kevin’s next step in theological study reflects a simple truth: Christian learning is part of an ongoing walk with God. A course or degree can provide structure and deepen understanding, but the Lord continues to shape a servant through Scripture, prayer, community, and faithful service.

That is what we hope study will always be: a means God uses, never an end in itself. A story like Pastor Kevin’s is a reminder that the fruit belongs to Him. What matters is how He uses learning to strengthen faith, deepen our understanding of Scripture, and prepare us to serve others in the name of Jesus. If you are prayerfully considering further study, a free orientation course is a quiet place to begin.

Faithful service, in family and ministry

Pastor Kevin is also a father of five, three of whom are Deaf or hard of hearing, and a grandfather of three. His family life and ministry are distinct parts of his story, yet both remind us that service takes place in everyday relationships as well as in public ministry. Much of his most faithful work will never appear in a newsletter or on a stage.

Jesus calls His followers to love God and love their neighbors. That love becomes visible in the way we teach, encourage, make space for others, and serve faithfully in the places God has given us. The work may involve travel and training, but it also calls for patience, humility, and care. Day after day.

Galatians 6:9 encourages believers: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (ESV). The passage does not promise that every season of service will feel easy. It does call us to keep doing good, trusting God with the fruit and the timing.

Dear reader, as you reflect on Kevin’s story, consider where the Lord may be inviting you to keep learning and to serve with greater understanding. Perhaps your next faithful step is to study Scripture more deeply, to encourage someone who is developing as a leader, or to ask how your church can welcome Deaf people more fully. We can pray for wisdom, listen with humility, and take practical steps toward a community where every believer can grow and serve.

Let us pray together for the Deaf community around the world. Father, You know every Deaf man, woman, and child by name, and You have never been silent toward them. Open hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Remove every barrier of language, distance, and neglect that has kept Your good news from reaching them. Send workers who will learn their language and love them patiently, and raise up Deaf believers who will carry Your Word to their own communities with joy. May those who have never heard understand, believe, and receive salvation in Your Son, and may Your Church make room for them as full members of Your family.

As you open Scripture, welcome the Holy Spirit to lead your study, transform you by the renewing of your mind, and awaken your spirit to the work God has prepared for you. May the Lord strengthen Pastor Kevin and all who serve alongside him, bless Deaf leaders throughout the Philippines, and guide churches toward deeper understanding, accessibility, and faithful service. May He give you courage and grace for your own next step, in Jesus' name.

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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.