Brief Introduction of HKSLBTA

Hong Kong Sign Language Bible Translation Association is the Hong Kong’s first Deaf Christian organization founded and managed by the Deaf. It was founded on March 1, 2019.

Since March 2019, members of the Deaf church and the other seven to nine churches, where there’s interpreting service available, have participated in the Association’s activities. The HKSL Bible Translation Ministry work is one of the heavenly projects of the Association, followed by HKSL Devotionals, HKSL Testimonials and Deaf Christian Leadership Development. Sign language translation and other ministry work is performed by the Deaf and belong to the Deaf. Most of the biblical sign language vocabulary is created by the nine Deaf Christian community members who attend church ministry activities. God gives His Word to the Deaf and to the hearing to order to get the gospel.

Hong Kong Sign Language Bible Translation Introduction

Hong Kong Sign Language is the mother tongue of Deaf people, and a form of language. Deaf people also have a unique culture, identity and are one of the minority groups in the world. There are many translations of the Bible. Many regions already have incomplete sign language Bibles, but Hong Kong does not have the Hong Kong Sign Language Bible. Our Association shares the gospel to the Deaf through sign language Bible translation and other ministries.

Hong Kong Sign Language is the language used by the Deaf in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Sign Language was brought to Hong Kong in the 1950’s by people from Nanjing and Shanghai who escaped from the war.

Because sign language is the mother tongue of Deaf people, they generally have a low culture, and reading Chinese is a difficult second language, just like we read English or Greek Bibles! If they have read the sign language Bible first, and then read the Chinese Bible, they will understand God’s Word better!

There are now many translations of the Bible, and there are already incomplete sign language Bibles in many regions. No one in Hong Kong has produced a full "sign language Bible"! The "sign language Bible" is not a printed version, but a short video of the Bible translated into sign language and made into a DVD, put the Internet or download apps for the Deaf to watch.

It turns out that sign language is also very local, and there are differences in sign language and grammar in different places. There are currently about 400 sign languages in the world, and there are 130 sign languages in the Asia-Pacific region alone. The sign languages of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are also different. The sign language used by the Deaf community in Hong Kong alone is also slightly different. The "Hong Kong Sign Language Bible Translation Association" has been established in March 2019. We have to consult with various groups to translate the Bible using the consensus Hong Kong Sign Language, so we must use the entire Bible in sign language translation which is a big project!

In addition to translating the Bible, the association also produces sign language devotionals, testimonies and sign language songs. May the Lord stand firm in the work done by our hands so that the 150,000 Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Hong Kong can read the Bible. They are all neglected by the government and the church.

At present, there are only about 700 Deaf believers in Hong Kong. They are distributed in a church founded by the Deaf and about 7-8 churches with Deaf fellowships. Therefore, the grass field is huge and is in great need! Jehovah's Witnesses has invested a lot of resources in the development of sign language evangelism in recent years, successfully attracting many Deaf people, and even many Deaf believers! So we must speed up the development of sign language Bible translation, and it is urgent!

Statement of Faith

We believe in the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:160; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; Mark 7:6-13; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3, 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23-25; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 37:16; 48:16-17; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-3, 14; 15:26; 16:13-15; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3; 1 John 5:7-13)

We believe in the Lord Jesus the Messiah, God manifest in the flesh, His virgin birth, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His mediatorial work, and His personal return in power and glory. (Genesis 3:15; Deuteronomy 18:15,18,19; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; 53:1-12; Luke 1:31-35; John 1:1-18; Acts 2:22-36; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 2:9-10; Hebrews 4:14-5:10; 7:24-26; 9:11-15, 24-26; 10:19-22; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 1:5)

We believe in the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the believer is enabled to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus the Messiah. (Genesis 1:2; Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 14:15-17, 26-27; 16:7-11, 13-14; Romans 8:16; 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 6:11,19; 12:4-13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18; Titus 3:5)

We believe in the Salvation of lost and sinful persons only through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus the Messiah by faith apart from works, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Genesis 6:5-6; Psalm 5:9; 14:1-3; 36:1-4; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 59:9-17; Luke 24:46-47; John 10:28-30; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:10-18, 23-24; 5:12-21; 8:28-30; 10:13-15; Ephesians 2:1-5, 8-9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 2:11-14)

We believe in the Unity of the Spirit of all true believers, the global Body of Messiah with Jews and Gentiles living together as one within cultural diversity. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:1-4:7; Ephesians 2:11-3:6,12; 4:2-16; Colossians 3:12-17; Hebrews 10:24-25)

We believe in the Covenantal promises—from the Abrahamic to the New Covenant—that our covenant-keeping God has fulfilled, is fulfilling, and will completely fulfill. (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:4-21; 17:1-8; 2 Samuel 7:10-16; Jeremiah 31:31-37; Acts 21:20-25; Romans 3:1-4; Romans 9-11; Galatians 3:6-4:7; Ephesians 2:12-22)

We believe in the Resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life; they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (Psalm 69:28; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 24:29-31; 25:46; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27; John 3:36; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 2:1-17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 14:11; 19:11-16; 20:1-6, 11-15; 21:1-22:6)

Board of directors

Founder,
Voluntary Executive Director
Albert Liang’s Message

For the Deaf, Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL) is the mother tongue of the Deaf and a sign language developed by the Deaf community. In fact, many people misunderstand or discriminate against the Deaf, and the needs of the Deaf are often overlooked. Most people think we can learn to read or write, or lip read, or forbid us to sign language, and put us in a more vulnerable position.

I am Deaf. In addition to the culture of the Deaf, the Deaf also have their own language, identity and status. We are a unique group and one of the minorities in the world. We allow the Deaf community to express in the language they feel most natural, to learn and to know the Word of God. "In that day the Deaf will hear the words on the scroll, and our of gloom and darkness they eyes of the blind will see." (Isaiah 29:18)

During my miracle journey, I received a call from God to have a close connection with the Deaf Christian community in Hong Kong. Since July 2017, God has shown me the vision of sign language Bible translation, sign language devotion, testimony for the Deaf, sign language gospel songs and Hong Kong Deaf Christians attending mainstream churches.

The Association expects integration between Deaf and hearing. This not only requires hearing people to integrate into our silent world. We also welcome them to learn and get along with us in sign language, and even to learn our language and culture, to share with us Christ Jesus Believe in love, be members of each other, and serve with one heart. The purpose of the sign language Bible translation association is to make Deaf and hearing people train each other, share the Word of God, and receive the grace of God. "Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. They said, "We have to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22) “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27)

The Hong Kong Sign Language Bible Translation Association will work with all Deaf Christians in Hong Kong to care about the needs of the individual and the Deaf community. We will understand God's Word and

His love, through Hong Kong Sign Language and culture, and thus have our lives transformed well.

Pastor Kwong Chi Hung, Fred
(Board of Director’s Message)

Praise God ’s Holy name, the “Hong Kong Sign Language Bible Translation Association” was just established in March 2019! In the early days of the founding, there were many things that required time and effort, and we lacked funds. But God has His will and His plan. He offered a timely supply; no matter what difficulties we encounter, we have God's help. It is not easy for the core team to learn how to face the dilemma. We feel that God is close and His guidance is right in front of us! Several verses have reminded me:

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart..... Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:1,5)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34)

Even if we face the future without knowing it, I believe that God will make this association acceptable to others, so that God ’s Word can be unforgettable. This is a path of grace—both true and valuable. It is hoped that the core team of this association have trust for each other, have the power of God and glory, so that Deaf Christians and unbelievers in Hong Kong can learn the Bible through sign language.

In the future, I hope that the team of this association can rely on the Lord's constant renewal and equipment, love the Lord, love his people, and work hard for the Lord, full of grace and joy of the Lord, and fulfilling what the Lord has entrusted. May all glory be given to our loving Heavenly Father. Amen!