With their engaging visuals, poetic language, and breadth of Bible accounts, Arch® Books have played an integral role in children’s faith formation for generations. These impactful Bible storybooks are excellent outreach tools. They have been shared recently at food banks across the country, and now they are also being used in deaf ministry in Austin, Texas.
In summer 2025, we heard from Charessa Koontz, director of youth and families at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. She requested a shipment of Arch Books for a unique purpose: to share at a sister church, Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, to help families with children who are deaf grow in both Bible literacy and dual literacy (written language and sign language).
Because of Concordia Gospel Outreach’s mission to share Bible-based books with children around the world, we were eager to fulfill this request. Soon thereafter, the shipment was sent to Austin to help cultivate Christ-centered connections.
Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church has served people who are deaf in Austin since 1931. The church wanted to find a tangible way to equip parents to connect with their children, since many parents do not know sign language.
Koontz shared,
The team realized that using Arch Books as a way to share Bible stories in sign language could create meaningful opportunities for connection. Seeing the children light up as their parents teach them about Jesus is a great joy.
This parent community gathers monthly for fellowship and support. At each meeting, they explore a new Arch Book, learn how to tell the story using sign language, and then take it home and share it with their children. This not only helps parents communicate with their children, but it also helps families spend time learning about God’s love in various Bible stories!
When asked about the program’s impact on parents and children, Koontz emphasized how it strengthens family faith connections. Koontz emphasized how it strengthens family faith connections:
Parents and children are learning about Jesus and His redemptive work in their lives. They are learning that they are loved, that they matter, and that God desires a relationship with them.
Much like the food bank Arch Book program, Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church’s Arch Books deaf ministry program supports various aspects of people’s wellness. “This ministry is important because it meets people where they are, addressing their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs,” Koontz shared. In addition to fostering communication, the program also equips parents to step into the role of forming their children in the faith.
Koontz spoke on the importance of this ministry during formative years:
Every family needs the support of others, especially families of faith during these crucial years. This ministry creates and facilitates a place where that support can grow.
We are amazed at what God is accomplishing through this ministry, and we are blessed to have played a small role in it. Please pray for the ministries of Bethany Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church as they partner in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with people of all backgrounds, gifts, and abilities.
Consider giving a gift to Concordia Gospel Outreach to help us send Bible storybooks to programs like Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church’s Arch Books deaf ministry program.