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National Deaf Christian Workshop attendees pose for a group picture.
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Photo provided by Zeth Pankhurst

‘Together we are stronger’

Oklahoma church celebrates its city’s 50th year in deaf ministry while hosting National Deaf Christian Workshop.

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TULSA, OKLA. — As Lewis Parry strolled to the pulpit, his eyes widened with excitement in front of smiling faces at the 61st National Deaf Christian Workshop.

Behind him, the projector read: “With God, you can do it.”

“With God, you can do it.”

As soon as the final stragglers took their seats, Parry, a member of The Park Church of Christ in Tulsa, began signing to his fellow brothers and sisters.

“You never know what happens in your life, whether it is good or bad,” Parry said. “But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

As The Park’s lead deaf minister, Zeth Pankhurst, translated Parry’s signs for hearing attendees, the crowd waved its hands in the air rapidly — a sign of applause in American Sign Language.

Zeth Pankhurst signs to a group at the National Deaf Christian Workshop.

Zeth Pankhurst signs to a group at the National Deaf Christian Workshop.

The northeast Oklahoma church recently hosted the National Deaf Christian Workshop for the second time in its history. Formerly known as the Park Plaza Church of Christ, the congregation first welcomed the workshop in 2012.

The annual event — offering classes, lectures and opportunities for Christians to share their experiences — coincided with the 50th anniversary of deaf ministry in Tulsa.


Related: Faith through hearing — and signing — the Word


The ministry began at the Memorial Drive Church of Christ and transitioned two decades later to the congregation that became The Park.

Carl Moore, a member of the Cedar Crest Church of Christ in Dallas, returned to Tulsa — where he served as The Park’s first deaf minister — for the workshop.

Moore offered his testimony during Parry’s lecture.

“I am so glad to be back here,” Moore signed to the crowd. “It is always a blessing being able to share my experience of how I received Christ.”

Workshop speakers, including Moore, Pankhurst and Parry, focused on topics such as facing fears and spreading the Gospel within the deaf community.


Related: The story that started with a ride to church


In addition to deaf translation during regular assemblies, the Park church hosts a monthly special worship service for its deaf ministry.

The services offer a great opportunity “to reach lost souls” within the deaf community, Pankhurst said.

“When the people see that encouragement, their eyes are wide open,” he said. “That’s why we have deaf ministry.”

Lewis Parry leads a lesson at The Park Church of Christ.

Lewis Parry leads a lesson at The Park Church of Christ.

Fewer than 2 percent of the world’s 70 million deaf people know God, according to Pioneer Bible Translators.

“They are not getting the message,” said Fred Bogan, a member of The Park. “They are probably the most isolated demographic in the country.”

“They are all around us. You don’t realize how many deaf people are around you, and every large city has many.”

Workshop attendee Steven Russell, a member of the Franklin Road Church of Christ in Indianapolis, said the need for deaf ministry is crucial.

The Franklin Road congregation offers the only deaf ministry in Indiana among Churches of Christ, according to Russell.

“They are all around us,” he said. “You don’t realize how many deaf people are around you, and every large city has many.”

When asked about encouraging churches to begin their own deaf ministries, Pankhurst provided a simple, yet powerful answer: “Just do it.”

After 50 years, the deaf ministry remains as important as when it started, said Brenda Rumsey, a former Memorial Drive member who now attends The Park.

“What we like to say around here is that we are family and together we are stronger,” Rumsey said. “God has given each of us certain talents that we can use to teach others. That is what we are here for.”

An attendee carries a National Deaf Christian Workshop bag.

An attendee carries a National Deaf Christian Workshop bag.

NIC FRARACCIO, a senior journalism major at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., is The Christian Chronicle’s summer intern. Reach him at [email protected].

Filed under: Churches of Christ deaf deaf ministry National National Deaf Christian Workshop News Oklahoma The Park Church of Christ Top Stories Tulsa

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