Joseph Otsibah 
The National Coordinator of the Home and Urban Missions (HUM) of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor Benjamin Quaye Ofei-Badu, has called on sign language interpreters to embrace their role as a sacred calling and a spiritual mission, rather than merely a professional duty.
Speaking at the 2025 Sign Language Interpreters Conference held from October 16 to 18 at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh, on the topic: “Growing Spiritually as an Interpreter” with references from Exodus 4:10–17, Galatians 1:24, Philippians 2:13, and 2 Timothy 2:21,
Pastor Ofei-Badu encouraged participants to cultivate a deep love for both their work and the deaf community they serve.
He indicated that interpreters play a vital role in spreading the gospel, describing them as “missionaries of God’s Word” who bridge the communication gap and ensure that everyone, regardless of hearing ability, can encounter the message of Christ.
He noted that being a sign language interpreter in God’s work is both “a privilege and a spiritual responsibility.” He explained, “It is God who created people who cannot speak well. He knows their limitations and raises interpreters as intermediaries to bridge communication between them and Himself.” For this reason, he urged interpreters to develop a spiritual mindset that enables them to effectively communicate God’s message to the deaf and hard of hearing.
Pastor Ofei Badu underscored the importance of love and compassion in the ministry. “Interpreters must have love for God so that you can transfer that love to the deaf consumer,” he said. “Love God and follow Him with all your heart to the extent that you are ready to do anything for Him. If you don’t have a good heart for the deaf, you can’t do the job.” He added that interpreters must be “active lovers who are moved by the spiritual welfare of the deaf.”
According to him, effective interpretation is not only a linguistic skill but also a divine grace.
“The ability to hear and understand meaning from the source language to the deaf consumer is a grace from God,” he said, adding, “You need divine wisdom to discern context, cultural dynamics, and timing so that your signing accurately conveys God’s message.”
He prayed that God would “give interpreters wisdom to convey what He wants them to convey to His people.”
Touching on cultural sensitivity, he urged interpreters to cultivate adaptability as a spiritual virtue.
“You must know the culture of God, the culture of the people, and your own culture, and learn to adapt quickly without bias,” he explained. “Pray that God breathes on you so that within seconds you can interpret effectively across changing contexts and preachers.”
He further charged interpreters to walk in purity and righteousness, maintaining closeness with God.
“You are working for God, and He must have confidence to move through you. You speak on behalf of God to the people,” he said.
He also highlighted boldness, courage, and patience as essential virtues for interpreters. “Say what God wants you to say as He wants it said,” he urged. “Be patient and deliver the message with the heart of a servant.”
Pastor Ben Quaye Ofei-Badu reminded interpreters that their work is a ministry, not a profession, saying, “Don’t focus on what you will get, but on delivering what you have been sent to do. You are on God’s mission to deliver His word to the people. Let Jesus be your focus; serve God in and out of season, and He will sustain and supply all your needs.”
PENT NEWS
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