History of Deaf Ministry

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	History of FBCA's Deaf Ministry 1984 FBCA held a conference where a Missionary came offering sign language courses. With the encouragement of the pastor of evangelism, Donna Draper felt God’s leading. After Donna visited the deaf for 6 months ministering and praying, she felt God urging her to begin. Sunday School classes began in the furnace room of the education building. 1985 First-ever publicity about FBCA's Deaf Ministry on Nov. 13, 1985. Top: Donna Draper, Frank Crouch & Dorothy Folluo Bottom: Susan Crouch Over the years the Deaf Ministry continued to grow slowly but steadily. 1990's Josie Rea Willoughby (95 years old), Lynn Miller, Debbie Berger, Margaret Darnell, Donna Draper, and a Christian lady. 1995 Craig Burgesen, Don Westerfield, Donna Draper & Margaret Darnell Craig Burgesen, Debbie Whitlow, Mary Burgesen and Sue Burnes 1997 Terry & Debbie Ulinski; Mark & Mary Jane Celeslie; Craig & Mary Burgesen 2003 The deaf ministry had grown to the point that it began to reach out to the deaf community in greater ways. Sep 20, 2003: This date marked the first time the FBCA’s Deaf Ministry made a major move in the Deaf Community and reached many Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing for Jesus Christ. St. Louis Metro Round Table Representatives on Deafness, Inc. held the first Deaf Festival at Westport Plaza on Sep 20, 2003. Busy explaining God's Word to Deaf people Sue Walker, Chris Willenbrock, Bill Eckstein, Melissa Phillips & Angela Allen Many souls were saved and added to FBCA's membership. 2004 In October FBCA held the World Mission Conference. It was time that FBCA started supporting the Deaf Evangelism Explosion (EE). Mike Walker, Director of Deaf Ministry, signs papers that FBCA supports Bob & Cheryl Nowicki of Deaf EE. Bob Nowicki signs the paper. He is the director of Deaf EE. The Nowicki family - Bob, Jacob, Cheryl, Matthew and Elizabeth. They had moved to FBCA from Allen, Texas. 2005 This was the first time that the Deaf Ministry did a major work… making Deaf-led Revival possible! -- Nov 2005 Deacon Craig Burgesen speaks as the original Interpreters – Lynn Miller, Donna Draper & Jeanette Podgornik – are honored for their 20 years of ministering to the Deaf Bob Nowicki conducts the workshop during the Revival. After learning that among the deaf in North America there is less than 2 out of every 100 that would claim a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the First Baptist Church of Arnold adopted the Deaf of North America as an Unreached People Group. 2006 FBCA’s Deaf Ministry made another major move in the Deaf Community and reached many Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Hearing for Jesus Christ. March, 2006 Deaf Expo First-ever Deaf Expo sponsored by Deafnation. Mike Walker, Chris Willenbrock & Bill Eckstein. Hard at work - Mary Burgesen, Kristal Busalacchi and Sharon Liebman. Again many souls were saved and added to FBCA's membership. In April the FBCA held the Easter Pageant. The Deaf were welcome to participate in the Easter Pageant. Rachel Priscu and Bob Nowicki interpret the Easter Pageant. Mike Walker as Roman Soldier; Craig Burgesen giving the Crown to Jesus Pastor Jim Walterhouse of Tampico, Mexico (now - 2010 - of McAllen, TX) teaches this special Wednesday night Bible study. 2007 Leslie Chatmon & Mark Celeslie "Jesus dies" Rachel Priscu & Angie Allen take turns in interpreting. 6 deaf members participate in the Easter Play. Bottom 3: Craig Burgesen, Mary Jane Celeslie & Leslie Chatmon. Top 3: Jim Priscu, Mark Celeslie & Mike Walker. 2008 April 25, 2008 Angie & Jameson Allen's last day as FBCA members. Farewell for the Allens New members of Deaf Ministry - Aaron & Misty Holcombe Misty & Aaron Holcombe, flanked by Mary & Craig Burgesen, welcome greetings from members This was the biggest year for FBCA's Deaf Ministry as they hosted the Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf during July 12 to 18. God's Blessing - a RAINBOW! Deaf Pastor from Romania explains his church's involvement in Romania Jeanette Podgornik thinks this is Art & Craft Show International Missions Board friends of ours FBCA's Deaf Ministry choir sing Bob Nowicki interprets for FBCA's Senior Pastor Kenny Qualls SBCD President Aric Randolph opens the SBCD worship night. New theme columns given to SBCD President by Greg Johansson, Chair of SBCD's Board of Trustees This wonderful group of 32 Deaf Ministry members helped serve food to the banquet crowd. 2009 The FBCA's Deaf Ministry participated in the annual 'Relay For Life' event at Fox High School in Arnold. They were called "Team Deafie." This wonderful group composed of Deaf Ministry members and Christian friends __?__, Tom Tolie, Bill Eckstein, Margie Tolie & Mary Jane Celeslie Billy Boshers, Mike Portell & Mitch Soden On December 13 the FBCA's Deaf Ministry gets a new Deaf Pastor! Bible Fellowship started as usual - with breakfast potluck. Delicious breakfast & hungry people line up... Pastor Bob Caldwell came in class and surprised people with this announcement: The FBCA hires a deaf pastor! Aaron Holcombe becomes the FBCA's Deaf Ministry's to-be-pastor. He begins as the Director of the Deaf Ministry on January 3, 2010. Then he will receive license as a pastor in April 2010. He is deaf and has cochlear implant. He signs and speaks extremely well. Pastor Bob Caldwell offers his prayer for Aaron and his wife Misty as Rachel Priscu interprets. Deacon Craig Burgesen excitedly prays for the Holcombes and the Deaf Ministry. Bob Crowell & Sue Walker took turns in teaching the class. Joy to the World! Joy to the World! 2010 On February 11-14, 2010 the FBCA hosted the Global Impact Conference (GIC). In 2009, the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention as part of their restructure have defined the deaf as one of their nine targeted affinity groups, Global Deaf Affinity Group. FBCA, recognizing the high level of lostness among the deaf, is redefining its covenanting for reaching the deaf Across the Street and Around the World. Stan Stepleton represented the International Mission Board when they signed the covenant with the FBCA - Senior Pastor Kenny Qualls and Deaf Ministry's pastor-to-be Aaron Holcombe signed it. Stan and Lynn Stepleton, both are IMB's missionaries to the deaf in Mexico Kenny Qualls had already signed the covenant; Aaron Holcombe signs it. Stan Stepleton signs it on behalf of the IMB. On June 4, 2006 Pastor Gerald Davidson, the one who endorsed the formation of Deaf Ministry, retired. The Deaf Ministry wishes him well as he continues to minister God's Word around the world. Pastor Kenny Qualls continues to support the Deaf Ministry. So is Brad East. God Bless Them All! Gerald Davidson, Kenny Qualls & Brad East Family, History, Faith, Friends have been clearly seen in the deaf ministry at FBCA. We would like to thank those people whom God has used to be faithful in starting and sustaining this important work.


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