October 21, 2024
Try to imagine a life without sound. Now imagine what it would be like if all the people in your family could hear sounds and speech except you, all of your co-workers could hear, even your friends could hear, but you could not. Also imagine if you had grown up without ever hearing the English language, but everyone expecting you to miraculously be able to read and write it. Think of how that would affect your understanding of the Bible, worship services, Sunday School classes, VBS, inclusion in youth the group at church, Christian radio and TV programs, etc.
The Georgia Baptist Conference of the Deaf is wanting to lead Deaf people out of this life of constant isolation, and into a community of faith with others who have found true salvation in Jesus, by means of their own language – American Sign Language. The officers of the GBCD are working tirelessly to bring the Gospel to every Deaf person in Georgia. Led by Laramie Burris, president, and Karen Green, secretary, the GBCD has been putting on regional conferences and is currently working on a state-wide conference in October.
On March 26th, God poured out His blessings on an event held at Dorsett Shoals Baptist Church in Douglasville. Around 30 people had previously attended regional conferences in the past, but this time there were over 100! Nathan Hill, a new Deaf church planter with NAMB and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, taught two wonderful workshops and preached in a Deaf worship service that day. The worship songs were all in sign language as was the teaching, preaching, panel discussion, children’s program and youth program. Miraculously, God was able to use those sharing the Gospel by use of the pictorial “Evangecube”, to lead two Deaf men and one Deafblind young woman to salvation in Jesus Christ! What a great celebration there was at this event, and in heaven as the angels rejoiced!
A similar state-wide conference will be held in Winder, Ga., October 14 – 16. Please pray for the Lord to pour out His Spirit on the GBCD officers as they prepare for this event, and on those who will be attending. For more information about The Georgia Baptist Conference of the Deaf, please contact Laramie Burris at LawrenceB4th@gmail.com.
