deaf missions
Deaf Missions is a 501(c)(3) Christian media ministry, founded in 1970 and based in Iowa, that produces American Sign Language Bible translations, films, and mobile apps to support Deaf discipleship across 100+ countries and 60 denominations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersCouncil Bluffs, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What deaf missions does
Deaf Missions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian media ministry, headquartered in Council Bluffs, Iowa, founded in 1970 to communicate the Gospel to Deaf communities through sign language. The organization produces visual media in American Sign Language, including 'JESUS: a Deaf Missions film' (2024) — described as the first feature film created fully in ASL — a full ASL Bible available via iOS/Android apps and online, and an in-development second feature film titled 'The Prodigal.' The product surface also encompasses small-group discipleship resources, international showing licensing in 100+ sign languages, and a branded merchandise e-commerce store.
The underlying technology stack is straightforward: native mobile applications on the iOS App Store and Google Play distribute the ASL Bible and the Deaf Missions Video library, supplemented by a Squarespace-hosted website, an e-commerce storefront, and email/newsletter infrastructure. Distribution combines digital apps, limited theatrical releases (nearly 300 theaters for the 2024 JESUS film), community-led outreach through Deaf leaders and 60+ denomination partners, and a planned interpreters conference in July 2026.
The revenue model is donation-led: individual gifts and a monthly donor / Impact Partner program form the primary stream, complemented by international licensing fees for film screenings, a merchandise line ($14.99–$60), and one-off fundraising campaigns (e.g., a $120,000 Phase 1 goal for 'The Prodigal'). Apps are free to download (freemium), reflecting a mission-driven rather than transactional monetization approach. The organization holds ECFA accreditation and Candid (GuideStar) Platinum Transparency designation, supporting donor trust.
deaf missions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- deaf missions
- Legal name
- Deaf Missions
- Website
- https://deafmissions.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Deaf Missions is a 501(c)(3) Christian media ministry, founded in 1970 and based in Iowa, that produces American Sign Language Bible translations, films, and mobile apps to support Deaf discipleship across 100+ countries and 60 denominations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
deaf missions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Media Ministry
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Translation and Interpretation Services (54193)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Religious/Faith-Based Broadcasters (MPABAEAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description) (EDALAGAC), Multilingual Multimedia Localization (Subtitling, Dubbing, Voiceover) (MPAAANAH), Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) & Format Conversion (Braille, Large Print, DAISY) (EDAKAIAH)
Keywords
Where deaf missions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Council Bluffs
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
deaf missions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, monthly supporters, and Impact Partners. Focus on fundraising campaigns including new film production funding ($120,000 goal for Phase 1).
- Merchandise Sales: E-commerce store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, caps, and beanies. Prices range from $14.99 to $60.
- International Licensing: Licensing opportunities for international showing of JESUS film in 100+ sign languages.
- App Distribution: Free mobile apps distributed through App Store and Google Play for broad reach.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free mobile apps for ASL Bible and Deaf Missions Video content |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Branded merchandise starting at $14.99 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | New film fundraising campaign targeting $120,000 for Phase 1 development |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
deaf missions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Deaf Missions produces sign language Bible translations, feature films, and supporting media content to communicate the Christian Gospel to Deaf communities worldwide. Its core deliverables are the complete ASL Bible (available online and through mobile apps), the JESUS feature film (the first fully ASL film), and an upcoming second feature film, all distributed through mobile apps, theatrical release, and international licensing.
Product overview
Deaf Missions is a Christian media ministry offering a portfolio of products and services designed to communicate the Gospel with Deaf people through their heart language, culture, and identity. The core offerings include the JESUS: a Deaf Missions film (the first feature film created fully in American Sign Language) and the ASL Bible (the complete Bible in ASL available via app and online). These are complemented by a new film project called 'The Prodigal', international licensing programs, small group/discipleship resources, and a merchandise line. The organization also provides mobile applications (ASL Bible App and Deaf Missions Video App) for accessing content on iOS and Android devices. All products are interconnected around the mission of bringing spiritual content to Deaf communities worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- JESUS: a Deaf Missions film The first feature film created fully in American Sign Language, for Deaf by Deaf, released theatrically in nearly 300 theaters in 2024 and designed for global distribution in 100+ sign languages. Targeted at Deaf communities, churches, and ministries seeking culturally Deaf-led Gospel film content.
- ASL Bible The complete Bible in American Sign Language, with every book available for streaming on phones, tablets, and online. Used for personal study, small groups, and discipleship within Deaf communities worldwide.
- ASL Bible App Free iOS and Android mobile application that delivers the complete ASL Bible for viewing on phones and tablets, aimed at Deaf individuals and small groups worldwide.
- Deaf Missions Video App Free iOS and Android mobile application that streams the JESUS film and a growing library of Bible-based videos in American Sign Language, intended for Deaf individuals, churches, and ministry partners.
- Deaf Missions Merchandise Branded e-commerce storefront selling t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, caps, beanies, and gift certificates, with proceeds supporting Deaf Missions' ministry. Prices range from $14.99 to $60 and currently ship to US addresses only.
- International Showing Licensing Standalone licensing program that lets international churches, ministries, and organizations legally screen Deaf Missions films (including JESUS) within their Deaf communities, supporting global distribution in 100+ sign languages.
Quantifiable outcome
- First feature film fully in American Sign Language released in nearly 300 theaters
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use deaf missions
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
deaf missions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
deaf missions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
deaf missions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Life.Church: Large multisite church that developed the YouVersion Bible App and has invested in Deaf ministry with ASL Bible content. Emerging competitor with substantially larger technical and financial resources producing digital Bible content, including for Deaf audiences.
- Deaf Reach: Christian organization serving Deaf communities through education, healthcare, and ministry in South Asia. Comparable as a Deaf-focused Christian ministry with content production and community development components, though operating in a different geography.
Broad incumbents
- American Bible Society: Historic Bible translation and distribution organization with broader portfolio than Deaf Missions. Operates in the same Bible translation and access mission space but at much larger scale and with focus on written rather than signed-language formats.
- Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ): Parent organization of Jesus Film Project — one of the largest evangelical mission organizations globally. Broad incumbent in religious media with international distribution infrastructure that could enter the ASL feature film space.
Direct peers
- Deaf Bible Society: Organization specifically focused on providing Scripture to Deaf people in sign languages worldwide. Direct competitor in the Deaf Bible translation niche — Deaf Bible Society and Deaf Missions both serve the same Deaf Christian audience with Bible content in sign languages.
- Seed Company: Accelerates Bible translation worldwide with growing focus on sign language Bible translation. Closely aligned with Deaf Missions' ASL Bible work — both are faith-based organizations translating Scripture into underserved languages (including sign languages) using community-led models.
- Biblica: Bible translation, publishing, and ministry engagement organization. Peer in producing and distributing Scripture content worldwide — though Biblica focuses primarily on written Bible translations rather than sign language video formats.
- DOOR International: Christian ministry specifically serving Deaf communities globally with disciple-making movements. Comparable in niche focus (Deaf Christian ministry), international scope, and emphasis on community-led outreach among Deaf populations.
- Jesus Film Project: Produces and distributes the original 'JESUS' film in 2000+ spoken languages globally. Direct conceptual peer — Deaf Missions adapted the JESUS film concept for sign languages, sharing the same content model (religious feature film for unreached language communities), distribution approach (international licensing), and ministry mission.
- Wycliffe Bible Translators: One of the largest Bible translation organizations globally, working in 100+ languages. Peer in the Bible translation mission space with overlapping ministry of translating Scripture into languages that lack access — directly comparable in mission and content production approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
deaf missions social profiles
Digital presencedeaf missions compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
deaf missions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
deaf missions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
deaf missions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
deaf missions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about deaf missions
What does deaf missions do?
Deaf Missions produces sign language Bible translations, feature films, and supporting media content to communicate the Christian Gospel to Deaf communities worldwide. Its core deliverables are the complete ASL Bible (available online and through mobile apps), the JESUS feature film (the first fully ASL film), and an upcoming second feature film, all distributed through mobile apps, theatrical release, and international licensing.
Is deaf missions a public or private company?
deaf missions is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was deaf missions founded?
deaf missions was founded in 1970. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is deaf missions based?
deaf missions is headquartered in Council Bluffs, United States, in the North America region.
How does deaf missions make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, international Licensing and app Distribution.
Who are deaf missions's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Life.Church and Deaf Reach. Broad incumbents are American Bible Society and Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ). Direct peers are Deaf Bible Society, Seed Company, Biblica, DOOR International, Jesus Film Project and Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Does deaf missions have an API?
No public API is recorded for deaf missions.
What industry is deaf missions in?
deaf missions's product category is Religious Media Ministry. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAEAH, International Religious/Faith-Based Broadcasters, with a secondary code of EDALAGAC, Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description). Its NAICS code is 512 and its SIC code is 7812.