My name is McCall Finnerty and I was born in Zimbabwe on September 6, 1992 to Kevin and Andrea Finnerty.  My parents were newlyweds who were on a mission team serving our sister church in Harare. A year later God moved us to New York, where I grew up going to church.  It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school, however, that I truly saw my need for God. I had been living a double life, trying to please both my church family and find myself amongst my friends at school. I had been caught up with friends and boyfriends, idolizing them, until I finally opened up to my teen worker at camp. I told her about how unhappy I was with lying all through life and feeling guilty; I knew there had to be more to life than what I was deceived into believing it was all about.  After teen camp we began studying the Bible and I started to know God on a personal level, falling in love with Him. Therefore, on August 10, 2008, I made the decision to die to myself and live for God and was baptized.                                                                                                                                         

There are so many scriptures that stand out to me, but one of my favorites is Isaiah 43:1-4.  I adore it just because it summarizes everything; don’t be afraid, God knows me by name, he’ll never leave me even though I feel like life gets hard, and that he has saved me because he loves me.  It is everything a disicple needs to hear to be special, encouraged and spurred on.

As a junior and senior I made it my priority to look for the college I was going to based on whether or not it had a great campus ministry.  I also desired a school with a great Speech and Language Pathology program, since I knew that’s what I wanted my major to be.  By closing doors to other schools financially, and opening the doors of Towson University, God made it crystal clear that that’s where I belonged.  My first semester of my freshman year I was put in an ASL1 class and despite initial fear since I didn’t know any Sign Language, it quickly became my favorite class!  I was not only learning the beautiful language, but about a culture that I had never been exposed. Before the end of that semester I chose to double major, excited to learn all I could through the Deaf Studies program. The Deaf community and ASL have now become one of my biggest passions.  It has been so much fun to have another campus sister at Towson University pursing Deaf Studies and Early Elementary Education.  As often as we can, we go to Deaf events with other girls in our program, striving to do all we can with the large Deaf communities around us in Baltimore and in DC at Gallaudet University.  Whenever we go to Gallaudet it has been amazing because Gabe, a disciple getting his Phd there, joins us.  While we get the chance to fellowship, we learn more ASL and about the Deaf community, as well as meet students, professors, and once even met the president of the university! 

The more I am around the community, the more I want to become fluent and indulge myself in the culture.  While I’m not sure where God will take me with this new interest, I do know that I’ve been so encouraged by the little I know about our Deaf ministries.  The story that inspired me the most to know more about the Deaf ministries was reading about my brothers and sisters over in Ukraine.  That story showed me that I truly can make a difference in the community, just as the leaders Slava and Julia did, even though they previously knew no sign language.  I am therefore excited to be used in whatever ways God has in store for me!

 

Hello This is Joe Cepeda. Today I celebrated 15 years of spiritual birthday. My best flashbacks as a disciple are: getting baptized on November 21, 1996 and marrying my beautiful deaf wife, Carole, on September 17, 2005. 3 reasons for me to become a disciple: to overcome my depression of being heart broken when my ex-girlfriend broke up with me because of a pregnancy which lead to a miscarriage, to accept my deafness and learn to improve my communication skills to others, to not commit suicide and appreciate God convicted my life to become a different person and to be grateful for salvation. My favorite bible verse is 1 Corinthians 7: 10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Through this verse, I have learn that Godly sorrow is showed only when I forgive myself and forgive others, as I made mistakes in life or as someone hurt my feelings. I am not perfect but it is important to follow Christ daily by reading the bible and praying to have solid relationship to God and to His disciples.

My favorite sports are NBA, NFL, MLB and martial arts.

I have been volunteering for the Deaf Ministry ICOC website (dmicoc.org) for over 2 years and I love every moment of it. It is fun and inspiring to get connected to the Deaf Ministry family around the world and to build relationships with the brothers and sisters. Carole & I love to attend deaf events to socialize with deaf friends.

My spiritual vision is to baptize interpreters and deaf disciples at Mission Point Christian Church (MPCC). My dream career is to work any deaf organization so I can improve my ASL skills with deaf employees and deaf customers. I do enjoy educating hearing people so they can learn how to communicate to the deaf and to promote Video Relay Services products for the deaf.

Happy Thanksgiving to USA and enjoy your upcoming holidays!

1. How did you became a disciple? Share brief experiences about your life changing that convicted to follow Christ.

I became a disciple as a high school student in the Latino Ministry in Chicago.  My sister had invited me to church with her.  After attending church and studying the bible for about 8 months I was baptized!  Reading the bible and seeing the heart of God and the sacrifice Jesus made was very impacting.  Realizing that God made this sacrifice for me made me see that I was responsible for it and was willing to do anything to try and show my gratitude for it. 

2. Where did you meet your husband?

I met my husband, Travis, in Phoenix while we were both in the single’s ministry there.  He had been a disciple in the Phoenix church for a few years when I relocated to Arizona. 

3. Where did you learn ASL?

I had the amazing privilege to learn ASL while attending ASLIS (American Sign Language and Interpreting School) in Seattle.  The program was amazing very personable and extremely supportive.  The instructors were phenomenal and my experience is one that I would love others to have.  Unfortunately the school has now closed and it no longer offers classes. 

4. Why did you decide to become a certified trilingual Interpreter?

I became an interpreter after deciding to take some ASL courses because I have a niece who is Deaf. I am from a large Mexican family that predominantly speaks Spanish in the home and noticed how much more difficult it was for her to communicate with family, especially our non-English speaking family. I decided to take an ASL course solely to communicate and include my niece. Wow, was I in for a ride! Once I started my classes I fell in love with the language and Deaf Community and decided to continue with the ASL Deaf Studies and ITP offered. I had an amazing team of instructors and an even more amazing and supportive Community. After graduation in June of 2007 I decided to take a short break to figure out my role as an interpreter and to see if I truly wanted to take it up professionally. Six months later I realized that I absolutely loved interpreting and decided to pursue it as my full time profession and haven’t looked back!  I decided to become certified because I wanted to challenge myself professionally and strive for growth in our profession that is ALWAYS growing and changing.

5. What is your best memory of your interpreter career?

My best memory is when I took my certification exam and passed! 🙂

6. What is your strength and weakness of your interpreter skills?

My strength as an interpreter is knowing what I can and can’t do as an interpreter.  Our profession is one of integrity and I would never want to be thought of as an interpreter that does not have integrity in the work she provides.  My weakness as an interpreter is in the performing arts.  I am NOT a performance interpreter but strive to one day learn the craft and become better at it. 🙂

7. Do you have a goal for the future Deaf Ministry at your church?

Although our church is a small church it would be amazing to have Deaf brothers and sisters and/or other interpreters in our congregation.

I. Sharing

Roman.

1 sec. Hello, dear brothers & sisters.

5-12. Time has passed and I want to introduce you to a new brother.

Zhenya.

13-15. Hello to everyone! My name is Zhenya. I’m studying here in a local university.

16-29. We have a great celebration today. My classmate Tanya is going to be baptized now.

30-44. I want to wish her all the best. Wish her be filled by the Word. May God bless her!

Roman.

45. Let me tell a little.

50-1.24 I have watched Tanya a lot. She eagerly studied the Bible. She had many questions, much struggle. It was quite difficult for her to choose the right life-way. But today she is going to be baptized. That’s amazing!

1.25-1.29. We shall have the first deaf sister in Ukraina!

Julia.

1.30-1.34. Yes! They are so happy! Welcome!

II. Baptism

1.32-1.35. Slava. “Excellent! She’s saved!”

1.54. Slava. “Let’s pray right now”.

2.04- Roman’s praying. Julia’s translating. “God – our Father!

That’s so valuable for us! Time’s passed, but she has already baptized! that’s amazing!

2.13. Thank You – You gave her a Holy Spirit! She is the first deaf sister in Ukraine! That’s cool!

2.20. Our group was begun! I’m so happy!

2.23. Bless her Father. Bless us by having many new sisters and brothers, by seeing many changed lives! Amen!

A. Zhenya

1-5 sec. Dear brothers and sisters, beloved friends.

6-11. What a wonderful evening we are having!

12-31. We even can’t deeply comprehend what a joyful event is beginning in heaven. Angels are waiting for this event.

32-43. Only God has full understanding.

44-1.22. Here what the Bible says in Psalm 49:7 — No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him– 8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough– 9 that he should live on forever and not see decay.

1.23-1.42. Just imagine – all people are dying, anxious about that, live in fear…. But God has a special plan for His children. 1.43-2.23. John 3:1 — Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”

2.24-2.51. When Jesus explained the new birth trough water and Spirit to Nicodemus, the Pharisee amazedly asked: “How can it be?”.

2.52-3.27. How can it be true – the eternal life for a man? Right for this reason God has sent His only Son Jesus, for His believers and followers could be saved and with Him on heaven. Trough the water and the Holly Spirit.

3.28-5.42. Many people are trying hard to earn salvation. To be better in compare with others. Usually they compare themselves with others and say: “I’m better then someone else… I’m worth to be saved…”. In the eyes of the world we haven’t any worth, our price is small, but what our God is saying.  1 Corinth.6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought with a price! Here is a Good News! We have amazingly high price in the God’s eyes! He gave Jesus for the sake of us!

5.43-6.11. Today we have a joyful event. One of God’s children received the price, grateful for it, able to join God through the baptism, and he’s going to receive the Holy Spirit.

6.12- / Before this we will pray God, then we will share about how Zhenya’s life has changed. And then we’ll ask him two significant questions, after which he can be baptized. Let’s pray. Prayer. Sharing about Zhenya.

9.09 Nick. That was great to see how Zhenya didn’t delay to receive challenges from the Bible.

9.49 Ann. I remember how eagerly Zhenya served on our missionary project. Hehas a good heart.

10.14 Roman. I looked for guy with open heart. When I saw Zhenya I was pleased by his open sight. Had many prayers for him. I’m so happy now! We, who can’t hear give one-another Sign-names. He had an old name, now he has a new one – “New”!

12.00 Slava. I must say – I’m so amazed by the God’s miracle! The repentance of his heart was so obvious. It was enough to look in his eyes, to speak heart to heart. I can’t remind without tears that day when he decided to follow Jesus. Now I can say – God gave us a new son!

13.35 Julia. When I saw him first time, his eyes were so sad. Time had gone, and eyes changed. If I could give him a sign-name I’d call him “Wonder Eyes”.

14.22 Tanya “the Singer”. I’m very glad to see how God wants to save everyone. Very happy about Zhenya. Happy we’ll have a new brother soon.

15.08 Slava. Now we must ask you two questions. Before that let’s read Romans 10:9. Read & explain the Scripture… Ask & answer…

15.55  1-st. “Yes. I believe”.

16.15  2-nd. “Jesus – is my Lord”.

16.23 According to your faith, good confession & what we have heard about you we can baptize you in the name of Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You’ll receive the forgiveness of all your sins and the gift of Holly Spirit. It’ll put you before God pure and completely innocent in the Last Day.

17.37 Here is the water – what can stop us baptizing you? – Nothing!

19.50 Great! Saved!

20.19 New life is beginning!

20.24 Praise God!

20.30 Brothers and sisters! We’ve got a new brother! Let’s prepare for celebration!

B. Roman

1-8 Hi, dear brothers and sisters, disciples of Jesus.

9-11. My name is Roman.

13-15. I was baptized three years ago.

16-25. I didn’t know God’s plan for my life. I’ve been praying a lot and wanted to save deaf people.

26-40. God makes His fabulous plan. Amazing. I’m so impressed how God uses me here in Vinnitsya.

41-47. I believe, God chose me to serve the deaf. I’ve found one guy, his name is Zhenya.

48-56. We all together as a Church encouraged him and trying to show God’s plan to choose him.

57-1.03. I couldn’t even imagine what’ll happen but prayed a lot! And he decided to be baptized in Christ!

1.03-1.05. It’s amazingly! Tonight I invite you all to the celebration of new life! Go!

Patty Herrenbruck was baptized on April 10, 1990 in Kansas City. She moved to Indianapolis in 1992. She became a Disciple because Jesus had sacrificed himself for her. Also she wants go to Heaven wheres there are peace, love and no worries!!

Patty’s biggest challenge being deaf disciple: limited support from her church to meet her special needs, grew up in the hearing world and trying to learn to be involved with the Deaf Ministry, and seek advice from Joe & Carole Cepeda for spiritual support for the Deaf Ministry at her church. Her best memory as a disciple was when she attended the Deaf Retreat at the Big Bear, CA on 2006. Patty inspired about fellowships with deaf disciples at the Deaf Retreat. She enjoyed contacting deaf disciples and spiritual encouragements from out of state in USA by mobile texts, emails, and videophones. Her favorite scriptures in the bible is 1 Corinthians 13. Patty’s goals for the Deaf Ministry at Indy: her Deaf Ministry group to meet and unify for once a month, monthly outreach deaf events to build friendships to the deaf and interpreters, baptize deaf disciples, & Deaf Retreat meet different locations in US.

Pattys photo is the first on the left below.

My name is Slava Matsiuk. Me & my wife Julia are COC leaders in Vinnitsya, Ukraine. It’s on the south-west border of Russia. The Church was planted 6 years ago and now has 27 disciples.

A month ago Roman Harchuk – a disciple from Odessa (South of Ukraine) came to our city for study in the university. He is a young 19 years old guy and he is absolutely deaf. We knew about that a couple months ago, so we began to study sign language. Now my wife Julia fluently speaks and partly translate sermons.

As a fact I make two notes of preaches: 1 – for Roman. I also make effort to study his language. Twice a week Roma stays overnight with us, so we can speak a lot and teach one another.

Almost all disciples in our Church are inspired to be in Christian fellowship with Roman. They study the sign language, sisters invite him to dates, brothers and families – to their homes for fellowship. Roman’s arrival unified all of us.

A week ago we made our every-year missionary-social project. It’s like a family game or play. We invited many non-christian families to take part in it. Roman also invited some guys from his university group. And one of them (he is an orphan deaf) came. Now we study the Bible with him! His name is Zhenya. Pray for him please. And a 11 years old deaf boy – a neighbor of ours, came also, and now we’re in a good fellowship.

Amazingly, Roman was a team-leader of one group consist with deaf and hearing people. That was fabulous! We all secretly cried. We pray God to make miracles through Roman. Our goal – to provide a possibility for deaf in our city to know a real massage about Jesus. We know how large groups of deaf Jehova’s witnesses and baptists have. And our hearts are full of zeal. Pray for us, please. Also, there are two young deaf disciples in Odessa (Roman baptized them), but only Roman’s parents can deeply speak with them about discipleship. We constantly pray for them.

We need in many advice how to study the Bible with deaf people, to treat young disciples, to grow leadership etc.

Please, be in touch with us.

With love in Christ.
Slava & Julia Matsiuk’s

matsiuk@gmail.com

on the 01 foto from left to right: Maks (our neighbor), Roman, I, my 8 years old daughter, my wife Julia & Zhenya.

on the 02 – they’re discussing the tactic of the round.

 

My sister and brother have been part of the International Church for quite a while. When I moved to CT three and a half years ago, I started attending church with my sister an hour away in Groton. After being raised in the church and very active in ministry all my life I realized that I never appreciated the power and obedience of baptism. I was convicted by the story of Apollos in Acts 18 and 19 and was baptized Nov 14, 2009 at Hartford Church of Christ.

My sister started teaching her young daughter sign language before she could speak and I got very interested. When I heard that Hartford had a sign language class I was so excited!

For several months sign language classes were held weekly with opportunities to interpret portions of Sunday service. I have been very blessed to learn more American Sign Language and about deaf culture in the classes which are led alternately by 1 hearing sister, Kim, and 2 deaf brothers Michael and Laurel. The first thing I wanted to learn to sign was about God and His love.  As the ministry continues to grow, my prayer is for strong friendships, regular reflections on scripture, and fun learning something new. It has been incredible to meet new friends, interpret, and learn more about how God blesses us through all the ways we communicate.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.