‘God Understands Us’: Inside a Nigerian Church Where Deaf People Find Faith and Community

August 5, 2025

The Christian Mission for Deaf Africans in Lagos, Nigeria provides a specialized worship space where deaf congregants can practice their faith using sign language. Founded in 1956, this church serves 50-60 weekly attendees who find both spiritual fulfillment and community connection that mainstream churches typically don't offer. Pastor Remi Akinrenmi leads vibrant services where drums provide vibration cues for worship activities instead of audible instructions.

Who is affected

Deaf individuals in Nigeria (estimated 10 million people)
Church members like Imoh Udoka and Oluwakemi Oluwatoke-Ogunjirin
Hearing children of deaf church members
Hearing students who attend for immersion learning
The broader deaf community in Lagos

What action is being taken

The church holds weekly worship services for 50-60 deaf congregants using sign language
Pastor Akinrenmi delivers sermons in sign language every Sunday
The church organizes evangelism outreach programs to other deaf communities in Lagos
The church runs a teaching unit for sign language
Hearing children of church members attend sign language classes to better communicate with their parents

Why it matters

Most churches in Nigeria do not accommodate deaf people
The church provides deaf individuals access to faith through sign language
It creates a crucial community where deaf people can connect with others like themselves
The church helps combat isolation and traditional negative perceptions about disabilities
Sign language skills gained at the church help members communicate more effectively beyond church settings
The church offers a safe space in a country with limited infrastructure for people with disabilities and poorly enforced disability laws

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint