Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
RN-T.com - Ministry through sign Gary Crook interprets for the deaf at North Broad Church of God
Gary Crook says he first received the calling to become an interpreter for the deaf 12 years ago when he was 18.
“I just felt a calling, a need to learn sign language,” Crook said.
Crook began taking American Sign Language classes at a local church before taking college courses at Georgia Highlands. Soon the Cave Spring resident had made a career as an interpreter, signing in classrooms in Paulding County.
Earlier this year, he turned his passion into a ministry.
Since Easter, Crook has been signing at North Rome Church of God, something he is doing to benefit both the church and his family.
Crook’s wife, Shae Crook, is deaf — the couple met when Crook was interning at Georgia School for the Deaf in Cave Spring — and two of his three children also are deaf.
“I first approached them because my wife is there. If they would approve of me doing it, I would sign at every service,” he said.
The church now has five deaf attendees, and Crook is hoping word of the ministry will catch on.
“I love it, just knowing that I’m doing what God wants me to do, which is spreading the word to deaf individuals and bringing in deaf souls to know Christ,” Crook said.
The church currently has 22 different ministries, which range from children’s groups to foreign missions, and Crook hopes to expand that to 23, adding a ministry for the deaf.
“Just getting deaf individuals in church and hearing the word is what I want to do,” he said.
But interpreting has not always been easy. Crook said keeping up with signing every word a person says is like writing down every word of a conversation.
“It takes practice,” he said.
Church members and staff have admired both Crook’s passion and willingness to take on such a challenge.
“He always does it with such a great attitude. It’s so nice to watch him, particularly during the worship because he just gets so into it,” said Kathi Paxton, church secretary.
Crook has gotten a lot of positive feedback for his role.
“They always say thank you and you’re a blessing,” Crook said. “I really do appreciate what they say.”
North Rome Church of God is located on North Broad Street and has services weekly on Sunday and Wednesday.
Gary Crook says he first received the calling to become an interpreter for the deaf 12 years ago when he was 18.
“I just felt a calling, a need to learn sign language,” Crook said.
Crook began taking American Sign Language classes at a local church before taking college courses at Georgia Highlands. Soon the Cave Spring resident had made a career as an interpreter, signing in classrooms in Paulding County.
Earlier this year, he turned his passion into a ministry.
Since Easter, Crook has been signing at North Rome Church of God, something he is doing to benefit both the church and his family.
Crook’s wife, Shae Crook, is deaf — the couple met when Crook was interning at Georgia School for the Deaf in Cave Spring — and two of his three children also are deaf.
“I first approached them because my wife is there. If they would approve of me doing it, I would sign at every service,” he said.
The church now has five deaf attendees, and Crook is hoping word of the ministry will catch on.
“I love it, just knowing that I’m doing what God wants me to do, which is spreading the word to deaf individuals and bringing in deaf souls to know Christ,” Crook said.
The church currently has 22 different ministries, which range from children’s groups to foreign missions, and Crook hopes to expand that to 23, adding a ministry for the deaf.
“Just getting deaf individuals in church and hearing the word is what I want to do,” he said.
But interpreting has not always been easy. Crook said keeping up with signing every word a person says is like writing down every word of a conversation.
“It takes practice,” he said.
Church members and staff have admired both Crook’s passion and willingness to take on such a challenge.
“He always does it with such a great attitude. It’s so nice to watch him, particularly during the worship because he just gets so into it,” said Kathi Paxton, church secretary.
Crook has gotten a lot of positive feedback for his role.
“They always say thank you and you’re a blessing,” Crook said. “I really do appreciate what they say.”
North Rome Church of God is located on North Broad Street and has services weekly on Sunday and Wednesday.