Deaf Studies - Blog
Carlstrom Deaf Studies Blog
Student mentors Fine Arts Festival contestants
NCU student Katie Johnson traveled over 1,700 miles to Phoenix, Arizona to mentor a youth group in American Sign Language (ASL). The youth group of Phoenix First Assembly was preparing for the Assemblies of God Fine Arts Festival and needed some pointers.
The festival is a discipleship tool of National Youth Ministries designed to “help students discover and develop their ministry gifts.” Katie spent time with three groups that had entered the competition in the Communication Division for sign language group performances. All three groups secured a place at the National competition which will be held in August. One group’s performance was awarded the Award of Excellence for the Sign Language category.
Bryan Wooldridge of Phoenix First Assembly thanked NCU’s Carlstrom Deaf Studies Department for their help, and said, “without Katie, I don’t know that we ever would have made it.” Learn more about the Fine Arts Festival at www.faf.ag.org.
North Central is one of a small number of colleges and universities that allows Deaf and hearing students to learn together in the classroom. Read more at www.northcentral.edu/carlstrom.
Professor, JoAnn Smith, ministers at deaf retreats
Dr. JoAnn Smith ministered in Valeijo, Calif. February 16-19, 2007. She spoke at the California Deaf Pastor’s Conference. There were 29 pastors and spouses in attendance and all had a terrific time. She covered topics of leadership styles, servant leadership, conflict resolution and restoration of the pastoral leadership. Rev. Belinda McCleese organized and hosted the conference. McCleese (’87) is a North Central University Deaf alumni who now serves as the National West Coast Regional Representative for the National Deaf Fellowship of the Assemblies of God. Smith said that “The conference ended with an anointing and commissioning service graced with an incredible sense of His presence.”
In November, 2006, Dr. Smith spoke at the Northeast Regional Deaf Retreat hosted by Dr. Anne Potter and Pastor Duane Somero. Potter (Attd) and Somero (’96) are both are alumni of North Central University. The retreat was attended by approximately one hundred Deaf men and women. The anointing was felt in an extraordinary way and the second service consisted of worship, a word of prophesy, and over two hours of intercession. Smith notes a “humorous situation.” She says that “two bats decided to grace us with their diving skills, the people in the room went hysterical and all I could do was keep standing behind the pulpit while the ushers were running around trying to chase them out!” Finally the back doors were left open for the bats, and the service continued.
Azusa Street Centennial April 21-30, 2006
Friday April 21st marked the beginning of an exciting and rewarding week. Twenty-two students, 4 faculty/staff, 1 spouse, and 1 participating NF board member flew to the celebration in Los Angeles, California.
On Saturday, 2,000 people marched many blocks to start off the week. The march lasted from 10 to 12 and ended with a variety of music and performances.
On Sunday, we went to 2 churches, LADC where we ministered the whole service, and CCDC where we performed “He Reigns”.
On Monday we had a choice of where to go, some could go to Disney, and others go to Glen Ivy spa. About 17 went to Disney and 9 went to Glen Ivy.
Tuesday marked the official beginning of Azusa Celebration. LACC opened with registration and we attended two workshops in the morning. In the evening we went to West Angelus Cathedral to listen to T.D. Jakes speak.
Wednesday and Thursday we attended CCDC all day and recieved several blessings in the process. The services were powerful and touching. Everyone wants to see a revival in the Deaf world.
Friday morning was spent at CCDC, and the evening at Angelus Temple where Reinhard Bonnke spoke about the church being a lifeboat, not a pleasure boat.
Saturday was spent at the Sports Arena for the Centennial Assembly where several speakers had an opportunity to speak. This event lasted from 12:30 to 5 pm.
On Sunday, we went to Orange County Deaf Church and performed both songs. Afterwards, a few of the students went back to CCDC for the Fire Tunnel. The fire tunnel produced amazing results in many of the students. God’s presence was there, just like He was through out the week.
God was at Azusa, but He was also with the billions of people around the world who couldnt attend. He is always with everyone, no matter where you are. For the students who attended the 100 year anniversary, they will never be the same. God showed to them who they could be, what they should be, or even why. God revealed His presence to all… and it cannot be denied.
Even though this trip was for ministry and for spiritual benefit, this trip also was for our students to enjoy. Our students rallied together, despite countless of negativity that occured for the Deaf. They experienced a tidbit of what it will be like when they go into the ministry field. We thank God that we were able to experience this… after all, this kind of event wont happen for another 100 years
We pray that you will experience a spiritual awakening, that you will go out and spread the gospel to the Deaf. That the Deaf will experience a revival like never before. Only 2 percent are professed Christians… what about the other 98 percent? They deserve to have an opportunity as well. Let this be your time… Go.
Deaf Pentecost Now! DPN!
“Deaf Pentecost Now,” out theme this year, has sparked a common goal for students at CDS. As we prepare to go to the Azusa Street Centennial 100 Year Anniversary in Los Angeles, California; we as a team, are praying for Deaf Revival to spread. Deaf Pentecost Now represents our goals, hopes, and dreams for the Deaf to come to know Christ.
“Deaf President Now,” brought unity to the Deaf community around the world. However, do we have hope from that experience? With Deaf Pentecost, there is hope, because our source is Jesus Christ. Pentecost can and will lead the Deaf into eternity, whereas Gallaudet’s president cannot. Revival starts with one person, one heart, and one mind. Stirring within CDS students hearts, is the hope that one day soon, the gospel will reach every Deaf, and it will touch them in ways they never know, nor can deny, that God is real, that He is alive. In this, we hope and pray, that Deaf will come to know Christ as their savior.
It doesn’t necessarily have to start at Azusa, it can start now, which is what we are praying for, but we also pray that Azusa will make it known. When Deaf people hear stories of miracles, of God, they too will want to experience this. All this will happen at Azusa, but it also will happen outside of Azusa.
Keep each other in prayer, as we support one another, as we encourage one another, to invoke change. Pray that our students will experience something that they have craved for, that they have never experienced before, and that they will come back with lives transformed and on fire for God. DEAF PENTECOST NOW starts here.
News and Psalm 31
Recently several students attended Superbowl gatherings. Several Students went to Barbara and Michael Garrett’s home to watch the superbowl on a 100″ screen projector. For those who are not interested in the SB, there were plenty of commercials and interaction to keep them entertained. Not to mention, good food!! For college students, food is the magic word!! Sorry Barbara, Seahawks did not win, but there is always next year!!
In addition to the SB hype, students on campus have been looking forward to the opening of the new chapel. It is now going to be open on February 10th, providing that the city inspectors approve the building standards are up to code. Everyone is excited and looking forward to this event. We expect many more outpourings to occur here!!
As exciting as things have been, students are always in need of some type of encouragement. It seems that problems, stress, and such pop up in the students lives at some kind of intense level. In chapel one day, this verse was provided to encourage and liften the students spirits.
The Message (MSG)
copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Psalm 31
A David Psalm
1 If I run to you, GOD; I run for dear life. Dont let me down! Take me seriously this time!
2 Get down on my level and listen, and please- no procrastination! Your granite cave a hiding place, your high cliff aerie a place of safety.
3 You’re my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide.
4 Free me from hidden traps; I want to hid in you
5 I’ve put my life in your hands. You won’t drop me, you’ll never let me down.
6 I hate all this silly religion, but you, GOD, I trust.
7 I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love; you saw my pain, you disarmed my tormentors,
8 You didn’t leave me in their clutches but gave me room to breath.
9 Be kind to me. GOD- I’m in deep, deep trouble again. I’ve cried my eyes out; I feel hollow inside.
10 My life leaks away, groan by groan; my years fade out in sighs. My troubles have worn me out, turned my bones to powder.
11 To my enemies I’m a monster; I’m ridiculed by the neighbors. My friends are horrified; they cross the street to avoid me.
12 They want to blot me from memory, forget me like a corpse in a grave, discard me like a broken dish in the trash.
13 The street-talk gossip has me “criminally insane”! Behind locked doors they plot how to ruin me for good.
14 Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God!
15 Hour by Hour I place my days in your hand, safe from the hands out to get me.
16 Warm me, your servant, with a smile; save me because you love me.
17 Don’t embarrass me by not showing up; I’ve given you plenty of notice. Embarrass the wicked, stand them up, leave them stupidly shaking their heads as they drift down to hell.
18 Gag those loudmouthed liars who heckle me, your follower, with jeers and catcalls.
19 What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world.
20 You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip.
21 Blessed GOD! His love is the wonder of the world. Trapped by a siege,
22 I panicked. “Out of sight, out of mind,” I said. But you heard me say it, you heard and listened.
23 Love GOD, all you saints; GOD takes care of all who stay close to him, But he pays back in full thos arrogant enough to go it alone.
24 Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect GOD to get here soon.
Hopefully this is an encouragement for those of you out there who are going through a lot of struggle and pain. Don't Give up! That is the message of this verse! God Bless you and keep you!