Amy Lee ’17 is impacting the lives of thousands of children every day. Through her work with the International Deaf Education Association (IDEA), Lee works to educate, empower, and employ Deaf children and adults. Her work provides people with new opportunities to learn, work, and come to know Christ.
Initially coming to Azusa Pacific University for a bachelor's in psychology, Lee was invited to Trustee’s Weekend her senior year and was drawn to the community of APU. “I felt a real calling to be a part of APU, and that was made possible through being awarded the (full tuition) Trustee’s Scholarship,” said Lee. “That calling was made even clearer when I met my future husband on the first day of class.” Lee and her husband Gabriel (’15) welcomed their firstborn child in October 2025. “I think so fondly of the community at APU. There are a lot of conversations that students have that encourage you to think about why you believe what you do,” said Lee. “It was this community that shaped the way I approach my vocation now.”
Lee currently serves as the executive director of IDEA, which serves Deaf children in the Philippines. IDEA has eight schools where students can receive education in sign language, and eight vocational sites where they can work as adult graduates. “IDEA exists to educate, employ, and empower the Deaf. Because public schools in many developing nations are ill-equipped to support and develop Deaf learners, without IDEA, these students would grow up without any communication skills and are unable to attend school in a format they understand,” said Lee. IDEA is part of a larger global network of Christian Deaf Education ministries called Deaf Child Hope. In her work as executive director, Lee communicates with sponsors, applies for grants, and builds relationships that help operations thrive.
Introduced to IDEA at 15 years old on a mission trip with her church, Lee has been involved with the mission for most of her life. From volunteering to leading, Lee has a deep passion for the work that IDEA is doing. “It’s a privilege to share stories that showcase what God is doing to impact others through our ministry,” said Lee. IDEA goes beyond education, forming a development of faith for students in the program. “We are building an academic, spiritual, social, and vocational foundation. Once you know the sign for Jesus, then you can learn who Jesus is and what He means,” said Lee.
Through her time at APU, Lee felt the calling to advocate for those who need it. “APU made me more justice-oriented. Classes helped me understand more of a global God and the small role I get to play in His plan,” said Lee. “I think a lot about John 10:10 and the abundant life that God can give us. A lot of those pieces are represented in IDEA’s work. Abundant life means access to communication, joy, and connection with others. The opportunity to learn in a language you understand.”
Lee enjoys seeing students grow into leaders and advocating for them through IDEA’s programs. “When I came on my first mission trip, there was a preschooler who stuck to me like glue. My family supported his journey, and we’ve seen him develop from a pre-schooler to a college student, where he hopes to return as a teacher to the Deaf pre-school students himself, shepherding them through the same program he grew up in.” There are so many stories of students growing through the program, going on to be difference makers and advocates themselves. Through her work, Lee encourages people to be a part of those stories. “IDEA is so much more than academics because we become these students' families from preschool to 12th grade. The biggest way to partner with IDEA is through student sponsorship. For 45 dollars a month, you can provide 78 meals, 28 nights in student housing, and 20 days of signed education to a Deaf learner.”
Advocating for those in need and using the privilege that God has given is part of Lee’s calling as a Christian. She encourages others to listen to God’s calling on their lives. “If you feel a certain cause in your heart, there are people who address and advocate for that need. There are so many ways to contribute, such as public speaking, communications, marketing, or film. Find what you are passionate about and what you are skilled at, and allow God to lead you,” said Lee. Lee was impacted by a quote from a Freshman-year reading by Frederick Buechner, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.
Learn more about IDEA or sponsor a Deaf student at ideadeaf.org.