Sending Church: Capitol City Baptist Church—Holt, Michigan

In her childhood, Abigail began learning to speak a second language: sign language. Her dad taught her a few phrases he had learned so he could communicate with his Deaf friends. Learning those phrases piqued Abigail’s interest. When she had the opportunity in high school, she took a sign-language class.

Also in her childhood, Abigail learned to love and serve the Lord. The idea of ministering to Deaf people appealed to her, especially after learning that only seven percent of Deaf people know who Jesus is, and only two percent profess to be born-again. So Abigail chose a Bible college that offered a Deaf ministries program. By her sophomore year, Abigail told the Lord she was willing to use her sign-language ability—and all her abilities—in missions.

To prepare, she began pouring herself into ministry opportunities that her college offered. She also helped at her home church, which has a Deaf ministry. When an England study abroad missions opportunity opened in 2023, Abigail knew God wanted her there. The trip was life changing. Her missionary hosts were excellent mentors, and they gave her opportunities to visit mission works in other countries. One of those nations was The Netherlands. Abigail’s heart was drawn to this land, where most people aren’t receiving biblical truth from their churches. Many in the younger generations have given up on religion altogether. Abigail’s burden is to help people have the opportunity to hear and understand God’s truth so that they can receive Christ. 

The Lord connected Abigail to BMM missionaries Daniel and Heather Boyd, who are church planters in the city of Bergen op Zoom, which has a Deaf community. In 2024, Abigail spent several days with the Boyds, giving her assurance of God’s leading. After she raises her support, Abigail plans to help the Boyds with counseling, children’s ministry, and camp. Her ultimate goal is to establish a Deaf ministry to make Christ known to this mission field within The Netherlands.