DEAF MINISTRY
THE STORY:
Approximately one year ago, Pastor Curtis believed that the Lord wanted him to start a Deaf Ministry at Calvary Baptist Church. He had no idea if there were any deaf people in the Clinton area! However, he chose to be obedient to the Lord.  After meeting with Nathan McConnell who directs the deaf ministry for the Bill Rice Ranch in Murphreesboro, TN, Pastor Curtis decided to pray more about having a deaf ministry at Calvary Baptist. In October 2007, he scheduled Brother McConnell to conduct a ten day sign language school at Calvary Baptist Church January 4-13, 2008. The Devil was attacking and the meeting was almost cancelled on many occasions in December 2007, however it wasn’t! Many church members faithfully attended these meetings.  Sunday, January 13 was designated as DEAF SUNDAY and Brother McConnell signed for Pastor Curtis during the morning service. One hearing impaired middle school student and his family attended.
Beginning the following Sunday, Calvary Baptist Church began their wonderful DEAF MINISTRY which includes signing the 10:30 AM message and several congregational hymns.  Initially, there were many Sundays where no deaf or hearing impaired people attended our services. Pastor Curtis encouraged the remaining signers to continue to sign during the Sunday morning services regardless if any deaf were present!  Eventually the middle school student and his mother and sister who attended DEAF SUNDAY began to attend more regularly.
On June 25, 2008, while attending the Bill Rice Ranch with our church this young man accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior! Pastor Curtis had the privilege of leading him to the Lord after an evening service. He was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church on Sunday July 13 after the morning service as over a dozen of his relatives attended!  He has told us that he wants to eventually become a staff member at the Bill Rice Ranch so he can reach the deaf for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Our sign language staff includes: Cindy Curtis, Michelle Hall, and Becky Hill.  These wonderful ladies regularly meet every week to practice and improve their sign language skills for this very important ministry!  May God be praised!  Please continue to pray for this ministry!  It is never too late to get involved!