“Somebody needs to care enough to bring the Deaf to the feet of Jesus!”Joe Kotvas – Pastor/Missionary

Efata Ministries is a special ministry to the Deaf based in Lima, Peru. Efata Ministries consists of:

Efata Baptist Church

Efata was founded and pioneered by missionary Vernon Miller, who himself was deaf. Vernon worked to bring the Gospel to the Deaf for over 40 years as a missionary, first in Jamaica for four years and later in Peru where after marriage, he was later joined by his wife Velma. The Millers retired to the United States in September of 2000 after a very fruitful and pioneering work.

Efata is under the watch-care and direction of missionaries Joe and Lisa Kotvas. The Kotvases have over 20 years of experience working with the Deaf and have been in Peru for over six years continuing and expanding upon the hope and vision that Vernon and Velma pioneered.

The Kotvases are assisted by a dedicated staff who labor together as a team to educate, care for and reach deaf children and adults and their families with the Gospel.

Efata Ministries is a forward-looking ministry whose mission team desires to make a difference among the Deaf not only in Peru, but also in all of Spanish speaking South America and beyond as God gives liberty and opportunity.