Worship is more than words—it’s a full-body experience, an expression of the heart that transcends language. For the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, worship through American Sign Language (ASL) has long been a vital and deeply moving part of church life. But now, ASL is reaching even further into Christian music, breaking barriers and bringing the Gospel to life in ways that go beyond sound.
Two powerful stories—one from a celebrated artist and another from a celebrity seeking healing—highlight the growing presence of ASL in Christian spaces. Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Brandon Heath has made history by releasing ASL performance videos for every track on his latest album, The Ache, creating one of the first fully signed Christian music albums. Meanwhile, actress and singer Bethany Joy Lenz, after surviving years in a cult, found her way back to faith through the beauty of signed worship.
Their stories serve as reminders that the language of worship is not confined to words alone—it is something that can be seen, felt, and lived.
Brandon Heath: Breaking New Ground with ASL Worship
For years, Brandon Heath has been known for his deeply personal storytelling, crafting songs that speak to the ache of longing, redemption, and faith. But with The Ache, his ninth studio album, he wanted to do something more—something that made worship truly accessible.
That’s why he made the bold and unprecedented decision to release ASL performance videos for every song on the album.
“I’ve always believed music is for everyone,” Heath shares. “And I wanted to take a step toward making sure more people could fully experience these songs—not just hear them, but see them.”
His decision to invest in ASL translations isn’t just about reaching the Deaf community; it’s about recognizing that worship is more than sound. It’s expression, movement, and emotion—a truth that those who sign have understood all along.
The full ASL album is now available on YouTube, allowing more people to engage with the songs in a deeply visual and emotional way. You can watch the full playlist HERE.
Bethany Joy Lenz: Finding Faith in the Silence
For Bethany Joy Lenz, ASL was never something she expected to be part of her spiritual journey—but when everything else fell apart, it was there, waiting.
The One Tree Hill actress recently opened up about the deep wounds she carried after escaping a cult she had been trapped in for years. When she finally broke free, she wanted to believe again. But fear stood in the way.
“When I first left the group, I was so afraid to go into any church,” Lenz shared. “Paralyzed at the thought that I’d be taken advantage of again. I had lost so much faith in myself, in people, and in God.”
But then she found a church for the Deaf.
“The only place I felt safe was a church for the Deaf. I had driven past it for years, and one Sunday, I finally went in. I was so moved by the physical expression. Maybe it was my theater and dance background, maybe it was because I had known sign language in high school when my Deaf friend taught me. I’m not sure, but it made me very emotional and comforted.”
For Lenz, ASL worship wasn’t just a way to experience church—it was a way to heal. The purity of worship through sign language allowed her to reconnect with God in a way that felt safe, unmanipulated, and deeply personal.
Recently, she posted a video of herself signing a worship song that had been resonating in her heart.
In her caption, she wrote about her longing to learn ASL again, realizing how much signing had impacted her connection to worship. She also invited Deaf and signing friends to help her grow, recognizing that ASL is more than just translation—it’s its own language, with its own beauty and depth.
A Church That Sees and Speaks to All
Brandon Heath’s fully signed album. Bethany Joy Lenz’s rediscovery of faith through ASL worship. These stories point to something bigger than themselves. They show that the church is changing, expanding, and making room for worship that isn’t just heard—it’s seen.
For the Deaf community, this shift isn’t new; it’s long overdue. ASL has always been a powerful form of worship. But for many outside of the Deaf world, it’s a reminder that faith is something that can be embodied, expressed, and felt in ways beyond spoken words.
As more artists and churches embrace ASL in worship, the message of the Gospel becomes clearer: God’s love is for everyone. Whether through voice or hands, through song or sign, the beauty of worship is that it always finds a way to be heard.
For those wanting to experience Heath’s ASL album, watch the full playlist HERE. And for anyone who has ever felt distant from the church, let Lenz’s story be an encouragement—sometimes, healing begins in the most unexpected places.
Even in the silence, God speaks.
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