Route 238

The Message Board

An Interview With Sis. Pat Billingsley UPCI National Deaf Secretary

“I have set before you an open door and no man can shut it”

Sis. Billingsley, please tell me about yourself.
I have been an active member of Word Aflame Fellowship for almost 43 years, presently pastured by James Lumpkin, Jr., where I have held numerous positions and chaired a variety of fund-raising projects. Presently, I hold the following and their related responsibilities: Deaf Ministry Coordinator for Word Aflame Fellowship, Home Friendship Group leader for WAF (weekly meetings), Arkansas District Deaf Ministry Coordinator hosting an annual training workshop for interpreters and deaf as well as National Deaf Ministry Secretary for UPCI, coordinating the annual National Deaf Ministry Conference.

Tell me about the program, “Start Up-Kit For Deaf Ministry.”
The “Start Up Kit For Deaf Ministry” is a resource that gives the needed tools to teach, equip and train a church in developing a deaf ministry in their church(s). The kit provides a CD that teaches sign language lessons from the beginner level to the advance. It provides a promotional DVD that inspires individuals to “catch the vision” by viewing deaf people experiencing the Holy Ghost. It has Bible studies to evangelize the deaf and a book that will train leaders how to effectively grow a Deaf Ministry. There are 3CD’s, five DVD’s and a book. This includes DVD’s presented by Rev. Curtis Noland, Sue Tyrell, Mindy Olson and Kim Parks. There are other products on our web site www.deafevangelism.com, such as “Exploring God’s Word” signed by UPCI National Deaf Coordinator Bro. Ernest Murillo, “Rightly Signing the Word”, “Sign Me The Truth” and much more.

Who were the ‘key’ people in its development?
Sherry Padgett had the bigger part of making the products that go inside the kit. Sue Tyrell, along with Sherry, and Karen Metcalf updated the book, Breaking the Sound Barrier.

How many Deaf people are there nationwide and how many attend church?
The United States is home to over 31 million deaf. Less than 1.5 -2 percent of those attend a church regularly of any denomination. Less than 1 percent of our United Pentecostal Churches have an active Deaf work with deaf members. As far as we know, there are less than 0.1% who are Holy Ghost filled. According to our records the United Pentecostal Church had deaf in our churches dating back to the early 60’s. These deaf, had to attend other non-Apostolic churches in order to have an interpreter, or they attended Apostolic churches without an interpreter. Why? At that time in UPCI history we had no interpreters. During the late 60’s a few deaf began attending a church in St. Louis, Missouri. Daniel & Alta Bradshaw began what is presently known as National Deaf Evangelism (formerly Ephphatha Deaf Ministry).

In your opinion, why don’t more churches have a ‘Deaf Ministry’?
Deaf church members who are faithful will readily admit it is difficult to convince other Deaf to attend churches where there is only one deaf person in attendance. Deaf tend to be communal, in that they go where there are other deaf and they need a skilled interpreter to facilitate communication appropriately. Again, culture is a key, knowing their language and being immersed in deaf Culture is a must. There is hope for the deaf who attend our churches and receive this Apostolic experience. We now have Deaf ministers, nationally certified interpreters and saints who have the truth of the Apostles doctrine and the skill to convey the Gospel. Many Apostolic churches that have a Deaf Ministry may only have one or two interpreters. Those interpreters are responsible for improving their own skills through educational training, mentoring new interpreters, interpreting services, fellowshipping the deaf, teaching Bible studies, teaching SS classes, and being a friend to the deaf. This must be done under the guidance of a pastor who hopefully supports this outreach effort. The issue of burnout is one of the dangers faced by both the interpreter and the missionary. Both face challenges in evangelizing the masses in their field of labor. The magnitude of the lost they see before them is a massive and overwhelming responsibility.

What type of Sign Language do you recommend? Does your program have any connection with Interpretive Signs or Expressive Signs?
American Sign Language (ASL) is an accepted Language with its own rules of grammar and syntax. ASL is more than hand gestures but incorporates the formal signs, body movement and expressions. ASL is a visual language. One without the other is incomplete. Appropriate use of this language both in communication and songs/drama’s must be considered. Drama teams and sign choirs err in adapting ASL to fit their “production” by choreographing it to be “pretty”. Remember, this is a language for a culture and population of people who rely on it to understand what is happening around them. Signed music is beautiful and appropriate when used in the right settings. Drama Teams and performers should consult with knowledgeable people in the field of deafness or the deaf themselves before designing a song or presentation with signs. Expressive signing is not sign language or ASL; it’s a dramatic presentation. In an effort to reach the deaf population we must respect their culture and their language.

Pat Billingsley ~ Little Rock, AR
Word Aflame Fellowship
Pastor, James G. Lumpkin, Jr

Deaf Ministry Start-up Kits These kits help churches not only to start a deaf ministry but gives them tools to evangelize the deaf!
Kits contain:
• Breaking the Sound Barrier Book
• Music Movies
• Sherry's Sign Session
• Music Ministry / Deaf Way
• Deaf Ministry, How?
• Working Thru the Word
• Rightly Signing The Word
• Sign Me The Truth
• Acts 2:38 Salvation Plan

The notebook has a 3 step guide to help you have a successful Deaf Ministry.

Tools provided in the kit are for the non-initiated, and those already thoroughly involved.

$50.00 plus shipping

Deaf Ministry listserv
www.upcideaf.com