How did Deaf Ministry get started in our UPCI Organization? Watch these inspiring interviews to find out "how" it got started.
Part 1 is 45 min..................................Part 2 is 47 min
Apostolic Revival among the Deaf! When?
“I have set before you an open door and no man can shut it”
AMERICA the “Melting Pot of Nations”! People of various cultures know America for its diversity of ancestry and her open arms. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Ellis Island
became the artery from which millions flowed throughout the United States.
They didn’t know the language, but they were forced to learn. They didn’t know where they would work, but they were willing to be employed. Their goal was a better future, for themselves and future generations. They arrived in America with hope; hope for a better life than what their birth country could offer. Hope for opportunities of freedom, education and wealth.
Churches from all denominations have historically sent and supported missionaries to foreign lands in order to evangelize the lost. Every missionary’s journey begins with a burden. The burden develops into the vision of ministering to and winning souls. Invariably our imaginations go to the masses of those in foreign fields who are lost. When considering missionary work the misconception is that it involves a boat or plane trip and a foreign land. However, in the heart of America exists a nation of people, un-churched and virtually unaware of their need for salvation. They have their own culture, their own language, and their own heritage.
Have we failed to send missionaries to those who are within our own borders? They are living in our neighborhoods, working on our jobs, patients in our hospitals, pedestrians on our streets, parents and students in our schools. “The Whole Gospel to the Whole World” We have a Deaf nation on the doorsteps of America.
Statistics (these numbers should drastically affect us):
• The United States is home to over 28 MILLION deaf
• Less than 1.5 – 2 % of Deaf attend any church denomination
• Less than 1% our United Pentecostal Churches have an active Deaf work with Deaf members
Deaf are dying everyday without the Gospel
Deafness is a communication hurdle, creating other hurdles for the deaf individuals in families, friendships, education, jobs and religion. Unlike visual disabilities, deafness is invisible and many times the Deaf are misunderstood by the uninformed. Deafness continues to be one of the most misunderstood of all disabilities. The Deaf face a daily challenge in order to be treated with dignity and respect by their peers and society. Even today, the Deaf Community must overcome barriers, prejudices and discriminations of their language and their culture. The United Pentecostal Church has a directive by Peter to open our church doors to this population;
“Then Peter said unto THEM………. (that phrase is not exclusive for hearing only, but inclusive of the Deaf) ALL (again inclusive of the Deaf) nations even as many as the Lord our God shall call”.
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, MO. A husband and wife in that church caught a burden and became missionaries and began the process of learning sign language (ASL). Daniel & Alta Bradshaw began what is presently known as National Deaf Evangelism (formerly Ephphatha Deaf Ministry). Rev. J.T. Pugh & Rev. J. R. Ensey from the Home Missions Division witnessed Deaf Ministry in action and invited them to present Deaf Ministry at the General Conference in Atlantic City, NJ. These men endorsed the first seminar retreat in Lebanon State Park, TN during March 1972. The response was overwhelming and over 127 attended that first Deaf Conference.
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.
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.
American Sign Language (ASL) is an accepted language with it’s 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.
At the beginning of this article we briefly discussed Ellis Island and the immigration of millions from other countries into the United States. They came with hope for a better future. 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 in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book.” Isaiah 29:18
The words of the late Pastor W.I Black taken from a Deaf Ministry Publication Ephphatha in August 1976 still rings true,
“No church can be blessed unless they have a burden for people from all walks of life, regardless of social standing or physical differences. We pray that this vision will reach the length and breath of our entire fellowship. We pray that every church will find what it means to be able to reach someone with the gospel who cannot hear the preaching of the Word.”
Again,
we must pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into the field of deafness. The field of deafness is white ready for harvest.
Pat Billingsley ~
Little Rock, AR
Word Aflame Fellowship
Pastor, James G. Lumpkin, Jr
