Timeline of Christian Mission for the Deaf’s Growth
In 1956 God led Dr. Andrew Foster to found Christian Mission for Deaf Africans (the name was changed to Christian Mission for the Deaf in 1978). CMD’s emphasis continues to be focused on reaching the Deaf with the Gospel. Opening schools for the Deaf is a fundamental step toward that goal.
The following is a brief time-line of the various countries where God used CMD to open schools, Sunday schools, camps and ministry centers in the continent of Africa. While some of the schools are still supported by CMD, it has been our goal to open them and turn them over to others to operate (usually the national government or local evangelical churches). This allows CMD to focus on evangelistic and Bible training work. Some of the following schools and ministries have closed due to civil war and tribal unrest.
- 1957 Accra, Ghana (moved to Mampong-Akwapim in 1959)
- 1957 Accra, Ghana (Adult school)
- 1960 Ibadan, Nigeria
- 1962 Enugu-Nsukka, Nigeria
- 1962 Kaduna, Nigeria
- 1973 Center in Ibadan, Nigeria
- 1974 Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- 1976 Lome, Togo
- 1976 Mondou, Chad
- 1977 Dakar, Senegal
- 1977 Cotonou, Benin
- 1977 Kumba, Cameroon
- 1977 Bangui, Central Africa Republic
- 1979 Kinshasa, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1980 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- 1981 Bujumbura, Burundi
- 1982 Liberville, Gabon
- 1982 Bunia-Nyankunde, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1983 Lubumbashi, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1983 Kalemie, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1983 Bobo Dioulassa, Burkina Faso
- 1984 Bukavu, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1985 Likasi, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1985 Goma, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1985 Kolwezi, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1985 Kamina, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1985 Mbuji-Mayi, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1986 Matadi, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1986 N’Djamena, Chad
- 1987 Kisangani, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1987 Sarh, Chad
- 1987 Gemena, Dem.Rep. of Congo
- 1996 Center in N’djamena, Chad
- 2002 Uvira, Dem. Rep. Of Congo
- 2018 Baraka, Dem. Rep. of Congo
- 2018 Bukavu, Dem. Rep of Congo
Brief Summary (Detailed Summary)
Total Number of Countries in Africa: 54 Countries in which CMD opened schools and churches 1957-1987: 17 Schools Currently Supported (Nigeria, Chad and DR Congo): 6 Ministry Centers Supported (Nigeria and Chad): 2
There remains much to be done. “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” (John 4:35)
On October 22, 2004, Gallaudet University dedicated an auditorium in Andrew Foster’s name, calling him the “Father of Deaf Education in Africa”
