CHURCH'S DEAF MINISTRY A REAL SALVATION TO SOME

JACKSON -- For James Stevens, God speaks through Maxine Brewer's hands.

Stevens is deaf and Brewer is an interpreter for the ministry at Calvary United Pentecostal Church in Jackson.

Stevens said he has been going to church all his life and this is the first time he has ever taken an interest. "It's like I heard the voice of God," Stevens said through Brewer.

Both Stevens, 21, and his 7-year-old sister Sara, who is also deaf, attend Calvary United because Brewer brought a deaf ministry to the church two years ago.

He said he used to feel isolated during church services because he couldn't understand what was being said.

Brewer moved to Jackson from St. Louis where she was involved in a deaf ministry. She said that when she first came to the area she asked if there were many deaf residents. "Do you know we have one of the largest populations of deaf people in the area?" Brewer said.

Calvary's deaf ministry has attracted many deaf people to services. More than that, the program has enlightened church members who hear well.

Since Brewer's arrival she has taught five church members to sign. Those members now interpret in classrooms, courts, at funerals and for doctors. Members of the congregation who have never taken a lesson in signing pick up words from Brewer and the other interpreters and are more likely to try to talk to Stevens.

Brewer said the need for interpreters in the area keeps her busy.

She said there was a time when she didn't think about the deaf. But since she picked up sign language 25 years ago she has learned much about being deaf.

Marilyn Brown, wife of Calvary pastor, the Rev. Ronnie Brown, said the church has broadened its deaf services. Interpreters from the church provide services for free when necessary. Calvary's day care recently started teaching sign language on a daily basis.

Brown said day-care students learn a new letter and a new animal sign every week.

"James won't let you write notes to him; he wants you to talk to him," Brown said. "We realize now that we really can talk to them. You can communicate even without signing a lot of times."

Judy Newberry of Cape Girardeau took lessons from Brewer two years ago so she could talk to Stevens.

"Several members of the church expressed a desire to talk to James just to make him feel welcome," Newberry said. She is now teaching sign language to a group of doctors and nurses who are treating a deaf child at the Renal Treatment Center of Cape Girardeau.

Newberry said the doctors tell her their patient is so pleased by the effort they are making to communicate. As they attempt to sign to her the patient reciprocates by teaching them more signs.

"Just the smallest thing opens them up. People look at them as handicapped, but they do not feel like they are handicapped," Newberry said. "They are so isolated because people are so intimidated."

Debby Stroup of Jackson uses sign language to communicate with Sara Stevens during her Sunday school class. Stroup signs and talks simultaneously as she teaches. This has led some of the hearing members of her class, like 6-year-old Travis Strand of Marble Hill, to pick up some words in sign language.

During a class Sunday, Strand signed the word what without thinking about it when he asked Stroup a question.

Stroup said Sara Stevens is less eager to communicate than James Stevens because she is in the process of learning to sign. In addition, she has the attention span of any 7-year-old.

"Deaf children can tune you out just like hearing children can," Stroup said.