Presenting The SWM Teaching and Training Institute Building

Ted Camp, Director, presents to the Board of Directors the need of an additional building (32 X 64) for the new Teaching & Training Institute for Deaf ministries. The purpose of this building is to establish (1) a mentoring ministry and (2) an internship program to teach and train people for all areas of Deaf ministry worldwide. We plan to develop a Teaching & Training Institute with DVD classes which may be studied at home or church. We currently have the qualified personnel, equipment, and film studio to conduct the program.  This program will teach and train in the following areas: Sign Language Classes, a Bible Survey of the Old and New Testaments, Major Bible Doctrines, Teaching Deaf Classes, Interpreting in All Levels, Preaching, Pastoring, Future Missionaries, and Establishing Deaf Churches Worldwide. This Institute will have a local Internship Program (3 months) to teach and train Deaf and hearing preachers, evangelists, missionaries and leaders in all areas of the Deaf ministry. All students within the Institute Program will be required to attend one of our two ASLI programs in the spring and fall for final tests and final evaluations. At this time there are no known similar programs available for Deaf ministries. This will be a pioneer ministry that will help Deaf ministries and Deaf leaders across America and worldwide.

The new building - Phase One: two class rooms, a fellowship room, and a Deaf chapel. Phase two: The single large room above could be used for a dormitory or large storage room. The only cost of the building will be for materials and finishing labor. We hope the labor will again be donated by the Men and Women of Action and other volunteer helpers, as with our two previous office building programs. This actually cuts the building cost in half with the donated labor. The building is to be built as the Lord provides. The week of the building program will be scheduled by the Men and Women of Action (late summer or early fall). The goal is to finish debt-free. Project Need - The estimated full cost for a 2048-square-feet commercial building is $150,000. Our estimated need is $70,000 for materials and finishing labor. Silent Word Ministries is able to create a matching fund of $35,000 (one-half of the project need) from the will of Mr and Mrs William J Merrill (a blind and deaf couple) and other provided funds. This means we are able to build a $150,000 building for only $35,000 with the matching funds. One board member has already given $4,000 to pay for the foundation of the new addition. This means that, with the matching funds, $8,000 will be deposited in the building fund, leaving a balance of $62,000. We need to raise $31,000, with the matching fund of $31,000. 

Would you prayerfully consider a special gift to help us build this new, and hopefully final building? I know this will be my final building program. It is my dream to be able to help deaf workers and Deaf people reach their fullest potential for God. I have believed for years that this has been the missing ingredient in building good deaf ministries. This program will teach and train others to successfully build deaf ministries.

We can build a $150,000 building for the cost of materials and finishing labor, estimated at $70,000. SWM has been able to create a matching fund of $35,000 for one-half of this project. As stated, one person has already given $4,000. This means that $8,000 is already raised, leaving a balance of $62,000. We need to raise $31,000 with the matching fund of $31,000. We can build a $150,000 building by raising only $31,000. The matching fund means that if you give $1,000 it will be matched with another $1,000, for a total of $2,000 toward the building project. If a few more churches or friends could give $2,000 or $1,000, the need would quickly be met. Some could give $500 or $100. Naturally, any gift would be appreciated and matched. A plaque will be placed in the new building listing all who helped. Thank you for considering our unique ministry! ...Ted Camp, Founder