Deaf Streetlight

Deaf Streetlight—originally known as The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Institute for Christian Education, or simply Deaf Institute—was founded in 1968 by Cecil and Rena Bennett, whose daughter, Cheryl, was Deaf. When Cheryl was 16, her parents saw the need for more opportunities for Deaf individuals to connect with the church, experience God’s Word in their own language, and develop a personal relationship with Jesus. Out of that vision, the Deaf Institute was born, helping countless Deaf people encounter Christ through ASL interpretation and community.

In 2021, the organization decided to refresh and rebrand the name to Deaf Streetlight due to confusion over the word institute in the original name. The new name, Deaf Streetlight, represents both a beacon of hope guiding people toward God and a practical symbol of light—something essential for communication in sign language. This dual meaning beautifully reflects the ministry’s purpose: to help the Deaf see, connect, and shine the light of Christ together.