Sending Church: East Delavan Baptist Church—Delavan, Wisconsin

Field: Global Fit—Deaf Ministry

Children: Anna—19 Nora—17 Talia—15 Lyra—13 Sophia—11

For years, Brian and Bethany have wished that they had more time for their ministry to Deaf people. In his role as Deaf Pastor at East Delavan Baptist Church, Brian has to work a separate, full-time job to supplement his income. As a Deaf person himself, Brian understands how few people are currently working among the Deaf, whether in evangelism or in pastoral care. He knew that if he could quit his job, it would open far more ministry potential for him and Bethany.

In 2024, the Lievens family found a solution through BMM’s Global Fit service option. It allows them to raise missionary support, enabling them to serve full-time in their church ministries. The ministry potential will be far-reaching: more time to meet new Deaf people, share the gospel, and help them grow in their faith. The added time will also enable Brian to train leaders. They anticipate the added possibility of partnering with other Bible-believing churches in nearby large cities with no existing Deaf ministries. 

Brian and Bethany believe God raised them up for just such a ministry. Brian grew up learning American Sign Language (ASL) through his Deaf parents. His father led him to Christ and took him to a church with a Deaf ministry. Through watching a sermon by a Deaf pastor, Brian felt called into the pastoral ministry himself. He met Bethany at Bob Jones University. As a hearing person, Bethany developed a burden for the Deaf when her parents began serving in Deaf ministry. Now, working alongside Brian at their church, Bethany reaches Deaf children for Christ and helps them grow in their walk with the Lord.

Another significant advantage of the Lievens’ new missionary status is having funding to develop much-needed video teaching curriculum for children and adults. Because ASL (and not English) is Deaf people’s primary language, the extensive English resources available to hearing people are not always accessible to the Deaf community. Brian and Bethany are excited that these new resources could strengthen Deaf Christians not just in Delavan but also anywhere that ASL speakers live.