My name is Ivan Strean and I have been a disciple for almost twenty-one years. My wife Gwen and I live in Palmdale, California and we attend the Antelope Valley Church, where I am a minister. We have three children ages 6, 5, and 2. I first gained an interest in signing when I was a child. My grandparents were Deaf but I never met them. However, my father was a CODA and fluent in ASL. He started teaching me when I was about five.

I have been interpreting for almost 15 years. I got my start in interpreting in the church. One day I brought a couple of Deaf people to church and I was interpreting for them (rather awkwardly I might add) when a man approached me from the congregation. He asked me if I wanted to switch and let him interpret for a while. I reluctantly obliged and I am glad I did. This interpreter was AWESOME! After the service he told me his name was Buddy and that he was interested in starting a Deaf ministry. About a year later he did. It wasn’t too long after that, that I was asked to move to the San Fernando Valley to be apart of that ministry.

I have been a certified NIC Master level interpreter for about five years now and I work part-time at Sorenson Communications, California State University, Northridge, as well as freelance work in the community.  I enjoy interpreting and I interpret for the Church whenever I can. Where I live there is no Deaf ministry. Some day I hope God will open a door for a deaf ministry in my area but until then I will continue to pray.

I love the bible and being able to instruct and counsil. I have many favorite scriptures but one of them is Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

I am looking forward to 2012 and all the great things that God will do. I am also looking forward to meeting many new friends and the world conference in July as well as seeing may old friends. Until then God bless.