Church ministers to deaf members

In 1989, a bout with meningitis left Donna Tomblin with no hearing. A talented musician and former member of the singing group Truth, Tomblin realized that seeking God through Bible study, prayer and fellowship with other Christians was the only way she would be able to make the adjustments required to live in her suddenly soundless world.
   
“The deaf ministry at the First Baptist Church of Trussville,” said Tomblin, “helped put my life in perspective.”
   
Tomblin, her husband Keith, and daughter Laura, are among several families who have been impacted by the ministry throughout the past 20 years. With the assistance of a group of dedicated interpreters that includes her husband, Tomblin is able to participate as an active member of the congregation at First, Trussville, taking advantage of Bible study and other opportunities offered by the church.
   
Begun in 1980 under the auspices of the late Richard Francis, the deaf ministry has the distinction of being one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the area.
   
“It’s extremely unusual for a ministry of this type to go continuously for so long,” said Charlotte Medders, one of the group’s interpreters. “Most of them come and go.”
   
The group’s founder, Billie Vernon, agreed. “This type of ministry seems to move from one church to another, but this one has been here a long time.”
   
Vernon and her husband James, came to First, Trussville, in 1979 from a church with a sizable deaf ministry for which she had been one of the interpreters. At the time, there was no such ministry because there had been no real need in the area.
   
The need soon arose, however, when some deaf friends of the Vernons, Frank and Marilyn Wolfe, decided to also move their membership to First, Trussville. Vernon approached Francis with the idea of starting a deaf ministry and he readily agreed to it. Modestly, she gives Francis credit for the ministry since “he’s the one who let me do it.”
   
Vernon knew she’d need help, so one of her first steps was to begin a sign language class to recruit and train additional interpreters. Several people responded, but not all of them stuck with the program. Two of them, however, Medders and Tricia Faucher, remain with the ministry to this day.
   
The four regular interpreters have cooperated in designing a Sunday schedule that works well for both the hearing and non-hearing members of the ministry.
   
Vernon and Medders team-teach Bible study for deaf adults; Faucher and Medders alternate interpreting during morning worship; Medders and Keith Tomblin alternate during evening worship.
   
The interpreters also help out in any special circumstances requiring their sign language skills.
   
Faithful service in such a specialized area can be difficult since it requires each interpreter to be consistently available to minister to their deaf friends. Their efforts, however, do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
   
“I am thankful for our interpreters who take the time to interpret for us during worship service and Sunday school,” wrote member, Debra Parmley.
   
“God is really working through them so we all can learn about His Word.”
   
Mrs. Wolfe echoed that sentiment. She wrote, “God is truly using them so that we may learn and understand more about God’s Word.”
   
Not only has the deaf ministry been a source of spiritual growth for its members at First, Trussville, it has also fostered close relationships. Over the years, they have shared common concerns, studied the Bible together, prayed for one another and been a source of encouragement to each other through good times and bad.