Church starts ministry for deaf
First Baptist Church is sharing the Gospel in a new way: by using sign language.
“Our main goal is to share the Gospel for everyone that will listen,” said Pastor David Maitland. “(Steve Leapline) allows the Gospel to go from what I say audible into sign language, which I can't do and I think is phenomenal.”
The church, 221 W. New Castle St., will have a member of its congregation, Leapline, interpret its 10:55 a.m. Sunday service using American Sign Language.
“I've always had a desire to be able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the deaf,” Leapline said.
Leapline will receive his certification in American Sign Language from the Community College of Allegheny County in May.
“I have 15 deaf nieces and nephews, and I wanted to be able to communicate with them, so over the past several years I have been taking sign language courses,” Leapline said.
Maitland approached Leapline to see if he wanted to start a deaf ministry at First Baptist. He knew Leapline had it in his heart to help those in the deaf community communicate with a local church.
“It's like if I go to China right now, I don't know any Chinese, so I'd be frustrated,” Maitland said.
The church is not aware of any others in the area that offer a signed service, although there are some churches in Pittsburgh and Ohio that do.
First Baptist wants to offer this new ministry in Butler, so the deaf are able to connect with people in the community and be more involved with a local church.
“If it takes an hour to drive to church and an hour to get back, you're probably not going to go there Sunday evenings, or to Wednesday prayer or go to the different events,” Leapline said.
The ministry is going to start with the signed service, but eventually the church hopes to be able to offer other events, such as bowling nights and banquets.
“Our goal is to not only have the interpreting of the services, but to have activities the deaf can actually get involved with,” Leapline said.
Leapline is also going to start offering classes for members of the church to learn sign language so those deaf people who attend can also communicate effectively with people in the church other than him.
“It's like different worlds coming together and different cultures,” Maitland said. “I think if the Lord allows them to come, we have to prepare our people.”
The church is excited to begin its new ministry and be able to reach a new group with the Gospel, said Maitland.
“We are not trying to fix anybody, other than their soul,” Maitland said. “It doesn't matter whether they can hear or not, what color they are, if they are rich or poor, street kids or college kids — it doesn't matter.”
<B>WHAT: </B>Church service at First Baptist Church that will be interpreted using American Sign Language<B>WHEN: </B>10:55 a.m. Sundays<B>WHERE: </B>First Baptist Church, 221 W. New Castle St.<B>FOR MORE INFORMATION: </B>Those wishing to be a part of the deaf ministry or those having any questions may e-mail Steve Leapline at steve@fyi.net.
