About SWMI

Our History

Dr. Ted Camp and wife Carlene began Silent Word Ministries in 1966. However, after several years of ministry as SWM, God led them to join the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. They spent more than 20 years working faithfully among the Deaf with the “Ranch”.

They returned to the ministry of Silent Word Ministries in 1991. But it wasn’t till 1998 that Deaf Evangelist Allen Snare encouraged Dr. Camp to allow him to become a member of their ministry. Reed and Donna Condra, hearing missionaries to the Deaf in the Bahamas returned to the USA and felt God calling them to also join SWM. Jim and Terry Bracelin were added in the Northeast USA, and Mike and Kim Green, both Deaf, also came on staff. In the year 2000 Jon and Diane Barr came on board. Jon is a graduate of BJU and a Certified Interpreter. Jon is presently the President of SWM.

In March 2004 the SWM team held a Fantastic Saturday at Southside Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina. David and Vicki Bennett, on furlough from their ministry in Brazil, and being members of Southside, were in attendance.

During the day Dr. Ted Camp mentioned the need for missionaries to the Deaf in both China and the Ukraine. This, of course, burdened the hearts of the Bennetts since they have been missionaries for 25 years, serving faithfully in Brazil, South America. David approached Brother Ted several times during the day and on Sunday about the need for SWM to begin their own foreign missions program.

This began a chain of events involving the Bennetts, their sending church pastor, Dr. Ken Walters, Dr. Ted Camp, and others. God used several people and circumstances to make it clear to the Bennetts that God wanted to use them to open an International Missions Department with SWM. David shared his burden with three of the leaders of SWM. After a period of prayer and consultation God led Dr. Camp and the SWM leadership to invite the Bennetts to work with them in reaching the Deaf worldwide under the new ministry of Silent Word Ministries International (SWMI). SWMI is presently putting together an Executive Board, an Advisory Board, and writing the Principles, Policies and Practices for the new foreign mission board. SWMI seeks to send out American missionaries to foreign fields as well as train national pastors and leaders to more effectively evangelize and disciple the Deaf internationally. Pray for God to lead them as they establish the basis for this worldwide Deaf outreach.

Our Purpose

Ministries are not defined by the amount of contributions that they receive, or the number of workers they employ. The value of a ministry is not seen in the breadth of its programs or the depth of its resources. The heart of a ministry can only be measured by what motivates it.

Silent Word Ministries International is motivated by a heart to serve and glorify our God and a burden for the souls of this world - men and women for whom Christ died. By investigating the links at the top of the page, you will learn about our Vision, Focus and Values.

Silent Word Ministries International has a double purpose:

1. To assist fundamental Baptist churches in their task of fulfilling the Great Commission.

2. To serve missionaries as they evangelize the lost, disciple the believers, and start churches, especially among the deaf, in obedience to the Great Commission.