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Church brings the Word to the hearing-impaired | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal
When 24-year-old Wayne Stallworth attended church in the past, he got the gist of the religious service, but something was always lost in translation.
But Sunday, he and some 60 other hearing-impaired members got the full message at the first Marcus Point Deaf Church service in the Miracle building at Marcus Point Baptist Church.
The sign language service allows the hearing-impaired to enjoy church the way it should be enjoyed — word for every signed word.
“The deaf need to know about Jesus,” said Ed McGraw, assistant pastor of Marcus Point Deaf Church, who is hearing impaired. “Deaf people need to have a deaf church because we do more hand gestures. It’s easier for them, and they will be more likely to come.”
McGraw said when people used to ask him where church services for the deaf were held, he had to say South Florida or Tennessee.
Now, the deaf have a place to worship in Pensacola and all denominations are welcome, he said.
During regular church services where there is a speaking pastor and an interpreter signing the service for the deaf, the interpreter doesn’t have time to go into detail because the pastor is speaking to the hearing church, said Peter Dublin, founder and pastor of the Marcus Point Deaf Church.
The hearing impaired “learn differently than hearing people do,” said Dublin, who is also founder of Marcus Point Church Deaf Ministry and the Association of Christian Deaf Community.
“Sign language is more picturesque,” he said. “It takes a little more time to get the point across” when using sign language.”
Stallworth said he is excited to be a part of the deaf church and feels that God will bless him even more.
“It is easier with someone speaking our language,” Stallworth said. “We have something of our own.”
When 24-year-old Wayne Stallworth attended church in the past, he got the gist of the religious service, but something was always lost in translation.
But Sunday, he and some 60 other hearing-impaired members got the full message at the first Marcus Point Deaf Church service in the Miracle building at Marcus Point Baptist Church.
The sign language service allows the hearing-impaired to enjoy church the way it should be enjoyed — word for every signed word.
“The deaf need to know about Jesus,” said Ed McGraw, assistant pastor of Marcus Point Deaf Church, who is hearing impaired. “Deaf people need to have a deaf church because we do more hand gestures. It’s easier for them, and they will be more likely to come.”
McGraw said when people used to ask him where church services for the deaf were held, he had to say South Florida or Tennessee.
Now, the deaf have a place to worship in Pensacola and all denominations are welcome, he said.
During regular church services where there is a speaking pastor and an interpreter signing the service for the deaf, the interpreter doesn’t have time to go into detail because the pastor is speaking to the hearing church, said Peter Dublin, founder and pastor of the Marcus Point Deaf Church.
The hearing impaired “learn differently than hearing people do,” said Dublin, who is also founder of Marcus Point Church Deaf Ministry and the Association of Christian Deaf Community.
“Sign language is more picturesque,” he said. “It takes a little more time to get the point across” when using sign language.”
Stallworth said he is excited to be a part of the deaf church and feels that God will bless him even more.
“It is easier with someone speaking our language,” Stallworth said. “We have something of our own.”