A Council Bluffs-based Christian ministry called Deaf Missions is bringing the story of Jesus to the big screen as a feature film entirely in American Sign Language.

“Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film,” which carries the tagline “for Deaf, by Deaf,” stars Gideon Firl as the Messiah who, like all of the primary cast, signs his way through the role.

There are about 120 to 150 movies that tell the story of Jesus, but a new groundbreaking film is opening his story cinematically to a new audience: the deaf community.

The 40 or so people from West Hampton Baptist Church, in Hampton, Virginia, settled down into their seats at Sight & Sound Theatres. They were there to see a production of “Jesus.” While ...

“Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film,” which carries the tagline “for Deaf, by Deaf,” stars Gideon Firl as the Messiah who, like all of the primary cast, signs his way through the role.

There’s a disconnect there,” Josselyn said through an interpreter. “With this movie being done in sign language, you can look at the character and actor directly and see what’s happening.