Efata Ministries
Reaching the Deaf and Hearing with the Gospel of Christ
An Independent Baptist ministry based in Lima, Peru, serving deaf and hearing people since 1960.
About Efata Ministries
Efata Ministries is a special ministry to the Deaf and hearing based in Lima, Peru. Founded and pioneered by missionary Vernon Miller — who was himself deaf — Vernon worked to bring the Gospel to the Deaf for over 40 years, first in Jamaica and later in Peru, where he was joined by his wife, Velma. The Millers retired to the United States in September of 2000 after a very fruitful work.
Today, Efata continues to thrive under the care and guidance of missionaries Joe and Lisa Kotvas, who bring with them over 35 years of experience working with the Deaf community. Having served in Peru for more than two decades, the Kotvas family has wholeheartedly embraced the vision started by Vernon and Velma, expanding their impact among the hearing while continuing to minister to deaf individuals and their families.
Efata Ministries is a faith-based ministry which depends on the prayer and financial support of individuals and churches. The Kotvas family and their dedicated team labor together to reach Peru with the Gospel of Christ and to educate, care for, and reach deaf children and adults and their families.
What We Do
Efata Baptist Church
A local church ministering to the Deaf and hearing in Lima.
Mission Churches & Ministries
Planting and supporting Baptist mission works throughout Peru.
Efata Christian School for the Deaf
Providing quality Christian education for deaf children.
Efata Bible Institute
Training believers in the Word of God.
Efata Baptist Bible College
Equipping students for ministry.
Efata Missionary Training Center
Training missionaries and workers to reach the Deaf in Spanish-speaking countries and beyond.
Our Vision
Reach Deaf and hearing for Christ through soul-winning, one-on-one discipleship, formal education, and personal investment in individual lives.
Establish institutions such as churches, ministries to the Deaf, schools for the Deaf, and Bible institutes for the Deaf.
Train Christian leaders including pastors, teachers, interpreters, and workers.
Challenge others regarding Deaf ministry and missions through preaching, teaching, edifying, and motivating.
Efata Ministries is a forward-looking ministry, committed to making a difference not only in Peru but throughout Spanish-speaking South America and beyond as God gives liberty and opportunity, especially among the Deaf.
Did you know?
There are an estimated 400 million Deaf or hard-of-hearing people worldwide. There are 1.4 million Deaf and hard of hearing people in Peru alone.
Sign language is not universal — every country has its own distinct sign language with its own syntax, grammar, and structure.
There is a great need for dedicated preachers, evangelists, teachers, and interpreters for the Deaf.
Deaf people are not exempt from needing the Gospel — they have the same need for salvation as anyone, but often lack the opportunity to hear about Christ.
God’s Plan of Salvation
Romans 3:23You are a sinner.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23Sin carries a penalty.
“For the wages of sin is death…”
John 3:16Jesus Christ paid your sin debt.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:36Accept by faith what Christ did for you.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”
If you would like to know more about trusting Christ as your Savior, contact us at jkotvas@efata.org.
Contact Us
Phone
U.S. number (rings in Peru): (813) 675-4879
Peru direct: 011-51-1-287-0958
info@efata.org
Mailing Address:
Efata Ministries
Apartado 18-1280
Lima 18, Peru
South America
Physical Address:
Iglesia Bautista Efata
Av. Revolucion s/n (cruce con Av. El Sol)
Sector 2, Grupo 11, Mz C, Lt 21
Villa El Salvador
Lima, Peru