4th Vitebsk SDA Church (for deaf people)

Pastor: Eugene Gerasimov

Membership: 18

Population:

Date of foundation: The Fourth Vitebsk SDA Church, is one of the smaller churches in the region, but it is unique - all the members are either deaf or have hearing problems. This Church was organized in July 2000 when we invited deaf interpreters to start a deaf church. Currently the congregation worships in Third Vitebsk Church sanctuary until they have one of their own.

Church activity and evangelisation: As a first step their evangelization work the congregation decided to seek out those who had heard the Gospel message during the numerous evangelistic series in their city but who still had not made a decision to follow the Lord and become a Seventh Day Adventist. Thereafter they will strive to reach the other deaf people in the city.
It is important to note that the work with deaf people is more intensive as their understanding is not the same as that of the hearing, the deaf require more detailed sermons, lessons and other studies. We truly believe that Lord is interested in reaching the souls of our deaf people through the Three Angels message.
For the successful operation of deaf church other methods are needed. The deaf often have problems with the language in our publications, this means they require their own special Video tapes, audio tapes, special literature and lessons. If you have congregation has a group of deaf people, please write to us telling us more about how you work with them, which methods, programs and lessons you use.
Such groups of deaf people are found in every town of Belarus. In Vitebsk there are two schools for the deaf, we have been working with these schools for a long time. Currently in the Vitebsk region we have more than 50 deaf SDA Church members, the other big group is in Polotsk SDA Church. These are the only two church in Belarus that use sign interpretation!

Church contact address:
4th Vitebsk SDA Church,
17-b, Chernyahovskogo prospect,
Vitebsk, 210038, Belarus

Needs: We dream to begin a special project for all the deaf SDA members in Belarus - to hold seminars, teaching programs and special program for sign interpreters. A deaf persons circle of communications is usually very small, especially when it comes to communication with Christians. This is a problem because when Christians don't have communication they often grow cold.