Called To More: Emma Faye’s Journey Of Faith, Deafness And God’s Still Small Voice (+Podcast)

What do you do when the world goes silent at age three? 

For Emma Faye Rudkin, silence wasn’t the end of her story, it was the beginning of her purpose.

“I felt like God didn’t see me,” Emma remembers. 

After losing her hearing as a toddler, she struggled through bullying, isolation and the exhausting effort to keep up in classrooms not built for her needs. 

Many nights she cried out to God, “Why me?”

But in the silence, she discovered something sacred.

“I sat on a bench at summer camp and asked Jesus to show Himself to me and in the quiet, He met me.”

(Hear the entire conversation between Crystal Thornton and Emma Faye Rudkin in the podcast below)

That stillness became holy ground. 

The Bible verse “Be still and know that I am God” began to anchor her life and what the world saw as broken, God had been using all along to build something beautiful.

Emma went on to become a two-time Miss San Antonio, not for the spotlight, but to advocate for the deaf community. 

From that platform, she launched her nonprofit "Aid the Silent," which meets both the practical and spiritual needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing youth: providing hearing aids, speech therapy, sign language resources and scholarships to faith-based camps.

“The crown gave me a platform, but God gave me a mission,” Emma says. “I realized I could use my story to help others just like me.”

That mission grew even bigger through "Deaf Young Life," where Emma now serves as a national advocate. She helps deaf teens meet Jesus in their native language, American Sign Language. 

It’s especially powerful given that only in 2020 was the Bible fully translated into ASL for the first time in history.

“Can you imagine? For over 2,000 years, God’s Word wasn’t fully accessible to the Deaf. That’s why this moment matters so much,” she says.

While 98% of Deaf individuals around the world have never been introduced to Jesus, that’s beginning to change, one young life at a time.

“We're watching Deaf teens encounter Christ in their own language for the first time,” Emma says, holding back tears. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Emma’s story doesn’t end with crowns, awards or titles. Her influence continues to grow in ways that reflect God’s love—especially to the next generation. 

One of the most joyful and impactful parts of her ministry is co-starring in the PBS educational series "Hank and Emma Faye," a vibrant show that helps children—both hearing and deaf—learn about kindness, faith and inclusion.

“It’s one of the greatest joys of my life to do this show. It’s a safe place for kids—hearing and deaf—to learn about loving others and knowing they’re not alone.” —Emma Faye Rudkin

In a world where many still feel unseen or misunderstood, programs like "Hank and Emma Faye" shine as beacons of hope, affirming every child’s worth and reminding families that God’s love has no barriers. 

It’s a powerful example of why supporting inclusive, faith-filled media matters, because when stories like Emma’s are shared, hearts are changed and entire communities are lifted.

Emma also travels the country as a speaker, policy advocate and musician. 

Though profoundly deaf, she taught herself piano by pressing her forehead to the keys to feel the vibrations. 

The voice once ridiculed is now her testimony, shared on stages, in churches and in public spaces to declare God's truth.

“I was told I’d never play an instrument, never cheer, never speak in public,” she says. “So I tackled each one with God’s strength.”

Her hearing aids, once hidden, are now worn proudly. Her struggles are no longer sources of shame but of strength.

“God closed my ears to the world so I could hear His voice,” she says. “None of my pain was wasted.”

Even now, Emma is honest about the hard days. She’s 29, single and still navigating hearing loss, anxiety and longing. But she’s also living fully in God’s calling.

“It’s not about us,” she says. “If I relied on my own strength, I’d burn out. It’s about saying yes to the next thing God puts in front of you.”

From pageants to policymaking, from PBS to prayer circles, from silence to singing, Emma’s life speaks volumes.

When describing what sound she most longs to hear, her answer is unforgettable:

“The first voice I’m going to hear in fullness is Jesus’s voice... and hopefully He’ll say, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’”

Emma Faye Rudkin’s story is a radiant reminder that God can use your deepest pain as the launchpad for your greatest call.

To learn more about Emma’s ministry, visit AidTheSilent.com.