Go! Sign Spring 2010 - Mag issue 73 by Go! Sign

Contents 3

Walking is good for you!

Editor’s desk Hello!

First of all, on behalf of Go! Sign and also the Media Team, we apologise for the delay in sending out this issue of the Go! Sign magazine. Go! Sign has been very busy over the last few months, with lots of things happening, including exhibiting at the City Lit Deaf Day and spending a whole week at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Esher in Surrey.

Walking with God News around the UK

7-10

This is my first issue as the Editor of the Go! Sign Magazine. I have to say that I was a bit nervous about taking on the responsibility, although I am up for a challenge to get the magazine more visually attractive and interesting and to get more articles and photos from you all. I am really looking forward to building up a good network, so please get in touch with me.

Book Review News around the world

15-18 19-22

Face to face interview

I want to thank David Buxton for all his hard work on the DeafLink / Go! Sign Magazine over the past 15 years! I remember when I first volunteered to do some graphic work on the DeafLink Magazine in 2004. During the following six years under David I learned a lot from him and am now able to continue doing the magazine. I was reading Psalm 119:105 & 133 (NLT) the other day, “Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path... Guide my steps by your Word, so I will not be overcome by evil.” It is important to use God’s Word to direct us to walk with Him in our lives, at work, socialising with friends, playing sport or whatever we are doing. Imagine what it would be like without God’s Word in our lives, we would be lost and miserable, stumbling about clumsily in a dark place. “Make me walk along the path of your commands (God’s Word, the Bible), for that is where my happiness is found.” Psalm 119:35. Go! Walk with God daily!

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Our tribute to Chris Wilkins

God bless you all Esther Maycock (D)

GO! SIGN Christ in the Deaf Community Through

Growth, Renewal, Access, Churches and Evangelism Magazine Editorial Team: David & Bronwynne Buxton, Karina Downing, Karen Gutberlet, Esther Maycock and Elizabeth Thomas-Morton Trustees: Franco Beschizza, Jo Pestell, Marlene Rayner MBE and Revd. Bob Shrine Council: Raymond Abernethy, Laurie Banks, Gill Behenna, John Delve, Bob & Gabi McFarland and Marlene Rayner MBE

Registered charity no. 1071830

GO! SIGN is the working name of Christian Deaf Link UK

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Walking with

God

by Paster Raymond Abernethy (D), Belfast

The reason I picked the theme of “WALK WITH GOD” for this magazine is because everyone faces difficult situations, such as: Economic crisis Times of trouble Struggles I hope that this theme will help you to improve your walk with God. There have been a number of people who have walked with God. One of the first was a man named Enoch (Genesis 5). Not much is said about him in the Bible but it is well known that Enoch walked with God. One day God simply took him from this world and he could not be found because God had taken him away. He was a man of responsibilities, just like we are. He served God without a Bible, he did not have a printed revelation to guide his daily steps but he still lived in a way that pleased God. How do I start my walk with God? You need to get to know Him. There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We need to ask God to forgive us for walking the wrong way. We want to turn away from our wrong ways. As you know, as we celebrate at Easter time, Jesus died on the cross to save many who didn’t know about God. His blood washed away your sin. So there is an opportunity for you to ask Jesus to forgive you for walking the wrong way. Then you can have a wonderful walk with Him. Is God pleased with our life and our walk with Him? Another man who walked with God early on was Noah (Genesis 6). He lived in a generation in which it seemed everything had gone downhill but he did not allow this to distract him from serving God. He walked with God and God walked with him; they had a great relationship which was important to God. Noah’s obedience to God is a good example. He saved not only his life and his family but also the hopes of future generations.

How do I grow in my walk with God? If you walk with God then you will have a wonderful relationship with Him. Romans 8: 14-17 describes us as being joint heirs with Jesus Christ in God’s family. If you want to walk with God, be committed to Him. Jesus said, “The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me”, (John 14:21). Sometimes we face difficult situations. The best way to carry on is to LISTEN TO AND READ GOD’S WORD. All that God has to offer is yours, as His child. He wants you to experience walking with Him. This is what walking with God is all about. Advice: There are many other examples of people who have walked with God, who can be found in the many books you may read. You can also talk with Deaf people who have experience of walking with God. I hope that you enjoy reading the articles on this theme in the rest of the magazine and may the Lord help you to walk with Him. Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

Walking is g By Christine Kerr (D)

Unless otherwise stated, all Scriptures are from the New King James Version. Tightrope walker Jean Francois Gravelot, also known as Blondin, was the first of many tightrope walkers to walk across the gorge at Niagara Falls. He was a professional artist and showman, trained in an European circus. At age 31, he came to America and made the announcement that he would cross the Niagara River on a 1,100 foot long tightrope. On 30th June 1859, the narrow rope was in position, 160 feet above the water, and at five o’clock in the afternoon Blondin started the trip that was to make him famous.

It is not only your body that needs walking exercise, it’s your spirit too.

Blondin made sixteen more crossings after that first time. Sometimes he was blindfolded, other times he pushed a wheelbarrow, took a stove and made an omelette on it, and once he crossed on stilts. One other time he carried his manager on his back. But on all these crossings he walked, not ran. What can we learn about walking? First... Walking is good for your physical health In the women’s health section of a recent in-store magazine it was described as “the perfect exercise”. It went on to give tips on how to get the best out of walking for your health’s sake. “It’s free, you can do it any time, anywhere and you don’t need any special equipment. In fact, walking is the easiest way there is to get fit and protect yourself against a whole host of illnesses.” On a trip to Israel some years ago, on our first day, our tour leader led us on a walking tour over the tops of the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem. Sometimes this meant walking over the rooftops of people’s homes and shops. It was an excellent way to get a perspective on the city of Jerusalem but that was not the only reason why we did it. I asked the tour leader why we did this walk on the very first day and he said this was the easiest way to “break-in” groups of tourists to get them ready for the next few days, which would be extensive and probably exhausting. As it turned out, he was quite right. Touring in Israel, going out every day to visit all the Biblical places, can be very tiring, especially in the heat and humidity of the Mediterranean climate. That first walk along the Old City’s walls had fired us with enthusiasm to see more.

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Walking is good for your spiritual health Arthur Matthews was one of the last two missionaries to come out of Communist China in the 1950s. Years later he wrote a book of Bible studies called Born for Battle, based on his experiences in China, and in it he said that we need to learn to walk in power against the enemy. Yes, we are now seated in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6) but we have our feet still firmly planted on earth and must walk in His way and His will until it is time for us to die. Famous Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon said: “We have been cleansed once for all but our feet still need to be washed from the defilement of our daily walk as children of God.”

ood for you! When you walk with Eternal God you must never run or go on ahead. You must pace your steps with His footsteps, like the pageboy in the Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslas” who, because of the cold and wind, could not go on any further. The king told him to walk in his footsteps, where he had already trod, and he would find it easier. As the carol says: “In His masters’ steps he trod, Where the snow lay dinted, Heat was in the very sod Which the saint had printed.” Walking keeps you close to God The Gospels never record that Jesus ran. The words “ran”, “run” or “hurried” are never used in the context of Jesus’ ministry on earth. Instead, you get the clear sense that His life was one long walk with God from as soon as He could toddle till He ascended back into heaven (Acts 1). That’s about 33 years. It wasn’t a power-walk either (alternate short runs, then short walks). Like Enoch of old (Genesis 5:24), He walked with God and then one day was gone. And we have to do the same. That’s not easy for many of us, as we are impatient and want to get there as quickly as possible. Jesus said the way to heaven was a narrow way, much like Blondin’s rope across the Niagara River (Matthew 14:7). You cannot run along a narrow way because you’ll fall off, as Blondin would have done if he had run on his tightrope. Keep walking close to God and you won’t fall off the narrow way. “Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” Deuteronomy 5:33 (NIV)

What happened to Blondin? He died in England at the age of 73, forty-two years after his first walk across the Niagara River. He is buried in a cemetery in north-west London. Walking was very good for him.

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I have tried for many years to walk with God, but never seemed to get to know him in a personal way. For example, I remember one preacher said, “Do you know God?” and I remember thinking to myself, with deep embarrassment, the answer would be “No”. I didn’t dare tell anyone this, as you see I had been a Christian for many years, I had to save face, I had to keep going and pretend everything was alright, when in fact it wasn’t. It was hard work, struggling to do the right things but instead I seemed to do the opposite! Until one day, I saw a verse that really shocked me; it is Romans 6:6, “For we know that our old self was crucified with him...”

dead), Jesus rose, I rose with a new life, oh what a wonderful union with Jesus! I started to see through His eyes and started getting to know him in a real way. I just love him so much and thank him for what he has done for me.

I thought, “What?!” I mean I knew that Jesus died for me but never saw that I too died with him! Slowly God began to open it up to me, through various means. I realised that I was still living as my old self; my old self was causing me a lot of trouble and grief, I tried to improve it, tried to obey God, but ended up failing like Paul in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate to do.”

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those indeed perishing, and to us – those being saved – it is the power of God.” 1Corinthians 1:18

My old self was very strong; I was a slave to it. When I saw that Jesus dealt with my old life on the cross over two thousands years ago, so that I can have a new life and this new life is Jesus’ life, oh what a blessed truth! All I had to do was to realise this truth and believe and know that he has done this, that my old life was nailed on the cross with Jesus, so that I can be free and live with him, alive to God in Christ Jesus. Jesus was buried, my old life was buried (not half dead, but fully

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It is only through the cross we are set free, no other way. Jesus’ cross cuts away our old life, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Believe the truth and thank the Lord and the Holy Spirit will make it a fact and you will experience it. It’s worrying that you rarely hear the preaching of the cross, many say, “Don’t mention the cross”, or it gets pushed under the carpet.

Read Colossians 3:5-11 Put to death the whole old self, including the good part of the old self, it is the whole old self. In the eyes of God it is bad, because it is not His life. God does not use the old creation (life), the old life is no good and He has condemned it to death on the cross, whatever we

have done in the old life for God will count for nothing. Walking in the flesh does not please God. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20 I have learnt that you can’t have the old life and the new life, one or the other, who do you serve, yourself or God? Accept his way or our way? His way is by the cross, no other way. Hear what the Lord is saying, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:34-35 Oh, it is worth the cost to get to know Him, allow the Holy Spirit to deal with you as you follow him, he will do all the cutting away by the power of the cross, you just need to trust in Him to carry it out. Then you will experience heavenly life with Christ, seated with him…

God bless you. Genevieve Leak (D)

e v a h u o y o d t r a e h f o d n i k t Wh a ? d o G h t i w p i h ns o i t a l e r r u o y in

By Allan and Av a Lepik Estonia (D),

ep God, it is important to ke In your relationship with we are se see what kind of respon to ts ar he r ou g in in am ex taught us k to Mark 4:1-20, Jesus s of giving to God’s Word. Lin the seed in the four type d an rst de un to us lp he a story to fe on ils about him and his wi ta de e or (m k pi Le lan Al soil, as pe of hearts; present four different ty re to es at str illu ) 18 ge pa

1 Hard path is lik e mind and hea rt which does the message. Th not understan eir mind and h d eart are asleep . Mark 4:15

ith ssage w e m e h ty. eive t who rec ir heart is emp le p o e the p p. The il is like ’t go very dee o s y k c o n The r ots do their ro t u b y jo :16 Mark 4

3 the message ents those who accept res rep nd ou gr ny or th e Th ed out by ly the message is crowd with joy, but all too quick of this life. Mark 4:18 the cares and problems

4 The good soil and it is de represents those wh o truly rec eply roote e d in their h Mark 4:20 earts and p ive the message roduces ha rvest.

t of hear d n i k t a is... Wh n o i t s que So the sage s e? e v a m h ’s u od do yo d let G . n a l i o good s in our lives.. e b ’s t e L ed ly root p e e d be Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

News aroun ce n re fe n o C d n e k e e W ’ e n O in ‘Three ference The ‘Three in One’ weekend con diff, in Car r was held at Hebron Hall, nea rch, 2010. South Wales on 12th – 14th Ma It does not ‘Three in One’ – what’s that? e! The group, on mean two for the price of (D) & Betty led by Pat Collins (D), Jonathan rs Liz Peters (D) Bosman, with team worke mas (H), Tho n (H), Ann Jones (H) and Jea . It means recently set up ‘Three in One’ among Deaf and Hearing, plus Jesus ying for sta le them. There were 28 peop them came the weekend. The majority of came from from England, a deaf couple friends. Dublin and the rest were Welsh It was a lovely atmosphere.

es on Jonathan preached three tim rformed pe o Friday and Saturday. He als age. I didn’t excellent poems in sign langu ems. He is know he could do signing po

During he Saturday afternoon break, the weather turned to sunshine from rain. Some people went out to various places in South Wales. There were workshops on worship and making models with clay, led by Liz Peters (H).

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ree in One’ Betty Photograph of organizers for ‘Th , Ann Jones (H), (D) n ma Bosman (D), Jonathan Bos and Pat Collins(D) Liz Peters (H), Jean Thomas (H)

presented a ‘dark horse’! On Sunday he g Christ, a powerful poem of the sufferin ection. leading to the Cross and resurr preached Pat from Neath, near Swansea, ekend. I have at the last meeting of the we handled the known her for years and she d for that. conference very well. Praise Go John Delve (D)

Ann Jones (H) & Betty Bosman (D) did handwashing with oil prayer ministry to help people to focus on God. There was a swimming pool at Hebron Hall but I was the only one who went for a swim. Others would have loved swim but they had The people who took part to forgotten their swimming in the worship workshop costumes! Better created their own songs remember next time. and signed their songs in the evening meeting. Jonathan Bosman (D) There was also a short play afterwards. It was good to see people taking part in the meeting, giving us enjoyment and blessings.

nd the News from

the North East

Well we took a real step of fai th at the start of 2010. Our weekly home gr oup, which was a mix of Deaf/Hearing pe ople, decided to split into two grou ps to allow us to reach out to, an d meet with, Deaf people on a fortnightly basis.

otos.net

This moved us out of our comfort zone. At our first meeting we had Rod Chapman sharing about being “born again” and as a result of this we saw one person give his life to Christ. What a start! We have since had two more meetings over in Gateshead where we

have had up to 10 people gathered round a kitchen table, getting back to the basics of our Christian faith. We seem to have to fight battles just for the group to meet, so please remember to pray for us. Rhona Stanbury (H)

Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

News around the The Dales d an ire sh rk Yo t es W om fr s New monthly for fellowship and

y 2009 there From December 2006 until Jul dy, and performs church in Leeds. Bible Stu was no minister for the Deaf drama presentations at our o had been a wh , ine Shr b Bo d ber Rev the n The larger events. You may remem the in r iste Min d lan Eng of h tival, in urc Fes full-time Ch seeing them at the Go! Sign eld kefi Wa and rd dfo Bra in r we Deaf Community cester, two years ago. Each yea Lei to ted oin app s Spring/ dioceses for ten years, wa two ‘themed celebrations’, in e ang arr the h wit er eth ing worship, Ripon & Leeds diocese also, tog Summer and Autumn, provid in me f-ti hal rks wo o wh n, ns, in sign Revd Rachel Wilso ma, signed songs and sermo dra and es, ces dio ee thr all the Deaf community in d on a theme. These and Rachel language, focuse b Bo . rch chu g arin he a in 40 and 60 people half-time and usually attract between af De of m Tea y istr Min a by , both Deaf and are supported from throughout the region g). nin sig me was, ‘We hearing members (all hearing. Last Summer the the l’s teaching in irit, in Leeds are One Body’, based on Pau In the Chapel of the Holy Sp 12. In the services Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians Deaf Centre, there are church Memories for o fortnightly Autumn we had a service of every Sunday evening and als one. This ed the Senior people who have lost a lov at lunch-time on Tuesday, for seems to meet ly services occurs every two years, and Citizens’ Club. There are month y. This year tres and, l need in the Deaf communit cen s rea a iou var at age gu lan n sig in s for Pentecost rches we are planning celebration on different days, in parish chu Skipton on and Harvest Thanksgiving. (Bradford, Huddersfield and ay on a Wednesd have Sunday afternoons; Halifax, singly successful event, that we pri sur A on d, for ad rs, is a social evening); in Deaf Centres (Br held 4 times in the last two yea a on , eld kefi Wa ; ng rni Life. This is held a Wednesday mo afternoon that we call Celebrate t dis tho Me a in gramme Thursday morning); and rts hall in Halifax, and the pro spo a in ay esd dn rkshops (drama, Church Hall (Barnsley, on a We includes games, fellowship, wo up gro n lica ng n-A no a is ere hments. We get afternoon). Th signed song, crafts), and refres and rs, de lea n ow its has stly Deaf in Harrogate, which people coming each time, mo 70 40age gu lan n sig in end church, and meets monthly for worship people who do not usually att l he Rac and b Bo . rch chu y o come really in a communit some hearing people. Those wh . ng chi tea more! We have provide support and enjoy themselves, and ask for ch the Deaf m provides clearly found a useful way to rea A member of the Ministry Tea a month community. communication support once and rd dfo Bra in es in mainstream church Revd Bob Shrine (D) choice of Halifax, giving Deaf people a or both, signed or interpreted services, are small: only if they wish. Congregations e more than 3 sign language services hav een 5 and 10. 12 members; most have betw ups in Barnsley, There are also Bible Study gro eting monthly, Bradford and Harrogate, me up, centred and the Carrying the Light gro alifax, meets on Bradford/Huddersfield/H

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An Easter Show in London! On Good Friday , I went to Lond on with some friends to We then saw th watch “Passion on e disciples falling the Square”. This was asleep in the garden and a drama all abou the soldiers com t the events leading up ing to ar rest Jesus. We sa to Jesus’ crucifixi w the trial and th on until he went up en he was taken away to Heaven. to be beaten an d flogged. There were at le Then we saw him ast 20,000 peop carrying the cros le there watching over 10 s before he was led away to 0 actors accordin be crucified at th g to reports in the m e foot of Nelson’s colu edia. There was mn. also a donkey and so me doves. Then the body w as taken to a tom The story starte b and Je sus came back to d with Jesus rid life again before in ga donkey into Jeru he left the square to go salem. He perfor to heaven. med some miracles in cluding healing We were standing a crippled wom watching the dr an. ama for about 90 minut es an d there were 4 BS The Jewish lead signers who inte L ers didn’t like w rpreted the dram hat Jesus was doing and pl a fo A r t us. tim es it was difficult otted to have hi to see the signer m arrested especial as it was so crowde s ly after he went d but I think mos to the temple and turn t people managed ed over the tabl to follow them m es and let the doves fly ost of the time. away. We then saw Jesu It was a great da s at the Last supp y out! er, praying over the bread and wine and Adam (D) and M passing it to all aria (H) Guichar the disciples, te d lli ng them that they were to remember him after his death saying th at the bread repr esented his body and th e wine his blood and that he was going to shed his life for them.

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D e a f Yo u t h 8

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4 Christ by Elizabeth Thomas-Morton (D), DY4C Editor

Q. What would you do and fe el, if Jesus came to your hous e? ss! Then plenty o f chat and it w ill be all abo u t Jesus! Adam McC or

mick (D)

Bow dowg n and hu him!!

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ejoice I would r n ever! more tha (D) alterkin, Angela S

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by Danny

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d at home Finally feel at peace an what that forever! Can’t imagine finitely looking would feel like, but de forward to that!  orton (D) Elizabeth Thomas-M

nderful. ine’. The lyrics are so wo song ‘I can only imag l?’, ld I stand or would I fal It says things like ‘Wou think nothing at all?’. I don’t ‘Would I speak or say I would it would be. But I know I could describe how m. ed and liked I am by Hi cry knowing how lov Sarah Hides (H) I wou ld h umbl be n u r e d l to wo d, bow I wo u g r u s h Jesus hip him, ,t up to wond hen have d say n a e rful t m hi ime. ’. u o y A ngela k Miller ‘than (D )

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see Jesus in Heaven? u yo n he w , el fe d an o like in the Q. What would you d what to think or feel, I really wouldn’t know Heaven rd’ when I see Jesus in I will sing ‘Praise The Lo for us :-) everything he has done and will praise him for (D) Elizabeth Ainsworth azing in heaven!!! It is an am So happy as ‘All is well’ and ce en God’s amazing pres place, full of Love and no tears or sorrow! Janet Young (D) a long l Jesus face2face after Finally I will see the rea a massive e earth. I will give him th on ng mi ea dr – it wa in real life, as I’ve never seen Him y sh be uld co t ye g hu rience ne and the whole expe yet the flesh will be go ull of ...f ts. ub t fear, worries, do will be spiritual, withou child le litt a und up to Him like freedom, so I would bo . en av it would be like in He running. No idea what w ho with the Lord and see Maybe simply be still amazing He is! (D) Jay Thomas-Morton

(D)

Ask him to for a gam go e of tennis an d have some fun chillin and chat ting.

Hahlbohm

Wo Rezene

d (D) Rebekah Leonar

by Danny

Pass out! But if I’m didn’t, then I would welcome him in my house & cha t with him! I would be very humble and gra feful! Brent Allen (D)

Speechle

I would cook him the best me al I can and just talk to him about everyth ing. I would feel so excited and overwhelm ed that I might be burning the food, but the most important thing would be to be with him. This is what I think right now, but if it really happened I would probab ly fall on my knees before him and just stand there speechless for a good wh ile! Nora Allen, (H)

Feel nervous and excited at same time.

Nathan Gree ne

I would be pleased but probab ly not ready. I would want some wa rning so I could tidy up and feel close to God. Debby Phillips (H)

If Jesus came to my house, I wo uld be overwhelmed, I would be so hon oured to have Him as guest. My first rea ction would probably be like that of Marth a; ensuring everything was clean and tidy and that Jesus felt at home. On the oth erhand, I would like to be like Mary and just want to listen to his teachings and have a wonderful chat with him. I wo uld probably also ask for His forgiveness fac e-to-face and pray with Him. That would be so awesome. Sarah Hides (H)

I think I would be in awe and excited that he had come to my house, at the same time, in my mind, thinking “is the house tidy?!!” My mind would be buz zing with all the questions I’d want to ask him and with excitement!!! Elizabeth Thomas-Morton (D)

an (

im Herr

Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

k o Bo Review

“Twelve E by John xtraordinary W MacArt omen” h In a Fore u r word to an

with the other bo ok I read great m en and w the follo were fle omen o wing: “W sh-and-b f the Bib e are so lood peo they we le impress t hat we e ple just re afraid ed li a k s ; e il they wo y u envious fo s . T r get they hey exp rried ab and ang e r ie o ut their nced pa ry; they It was th children in and lo failed; th is ability ; ss; t h e e y y were p s t inned. T o turn to measure roud, hen wha God and of faith a t made t re s we do, descript hem her but they ceive His blessin ion of all oes? gs. They w t ere able he wom The auth had a en in this to exten or, John d it.” This book, “T MacArth Valley, C welve Ex is an apt ur, is Pas alifornia t r t a o . ordinary r H of Grace is name magazin Women Commu has bee es, and h ”. n comin nity Chu is books biograp g r c u h h p hies of t a in v fr e e S b q u ecome p uently in n welve w well writ opular. T Christian omen, fr ten, the h is o m o n English both the e is a ser well-res is not to ies o Old and earched o difficu N backgro e w Testam f these w lt t o u underst nd infor omen liv ents. It is and, and mation ed in, w informa on the b it ith Scrip g iv tion is a es a lot o eliefs an ture refe lways im f Scriptur d cultur rences t portant es teach e o o f b t h fo a e c r k t . t im h M t hem up e prope y favour spies in es . This kin r unders ite is the Jericho d t and late a o s n t f o d fell. She r in y of Rah g of wha r was sa is also a ab the p t the ved with wonder r o immora s t h it e ute, who r family ful exam l life. She when th hid the ple of ho became of the o e walls o w God c one of t ther wo f a J e n richo he ance change men Ma behavio stors of even the cArthur ur eithe t h m w e ost r L it o r but the es abou rd Jesus This is a t were n grace of Christ. S book th o God ove ome t all that at show were ch rcame th good in s wome anged a a t n h t a e in s ir f each on ter God they we book to e of them had dea re, “wart get a be lt s . a with the tterpictu m. It is w nd all”, and how re of life Publishe t o h fo r e t r y h women buying t d by Nels in Biblic h is on Book al times 2005. . Christin e Kerr (D ), Belfas t

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‘So you don’t want to go

to church an

ymore?’ I found this book inte resting and challengi ng, seeing things from a different persp ective regarding my relationship with God, my walk with Hi m. Sometimes life ca n become busy and our ministry/chu rch work can be busy and become like ‘work’. The main focu s should be our time wi th God, our relationship with Him and other people. I th ink it’s a book that will teach everyb ody in different ways , de pending on their situations/path in life! A good though t-provoking book. Elizabeth Thomas-M orton’s interview ( ) with Adam McCorm ick ( ) about the book!

Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

world

News around the

The 9th European Deaf Christian Pastors and Leaders Week (EDPLW) was held at Zelhem in Holland, from 24th to 30th January, 2010. The Deaf Leaders came from 25 countries in Europe, plus 3 countries outside Europe; USA, Canada and Australia. Here are people’s comments about the conference;

John Graham from Canada produced an excellent film of 28 deaf people, from different countries, signing ‘Amen’. You can find it on Facebook. It’s quite interesting to see the different signs for ‘Amen’. After the conference, we transferred to another hostel in Amsterdam for an overnight stay. We had a short sightseeing tour around the beautiful city but it was really very cold. However, it was enjoyable time. Overall, it was beneficial to get to know each other and understand other people’s culture better, so that we can work together for God’s glory. John Delve (D), London, UK

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I enjoyed attending the conference enormously, where European Deaf Pastors and Leaders met. There were lectures, workshops and evangelistic missions and also personal contacts were made. It was a great week, full of blessing. The lectures were designed to edify the deaf pastors and leaders, also exhorting them about church problems. In addition, the meetings were worthwhile for personal discussion and for praying together to strengthen our Deaf churches. I encourage other Deaf Pastors and church leaders to attend the annual EDPLW Conference in Europe every January.

For two years I had wanted to go to this conference. I finally grabbed the opportunity and I am really glad that I went! God has really challenged me to think more about leadership, especially in my role for DY4C and for Church in the future. I really enjoyed meeting old and new faces, especially supporting and praying with Deaf leaders and pastors to continue working in Deaf ministry for the Lord. Esther Maycock (D), Ashtead, UK

Paul & Barbara Barker (D), South Normanton, UK

I enjoyed the conference in Holland. It was my first time and I had many new experiences there. I learned lots about the Bible and I enjoyed watching drama and other artistic things. I enjoyed meeting many people and talking with them about their churches, their work and deaf Christians. The experience has helped me as a youth leader in my church and in my work with DY4C. Matthew Bones (D), South Normanton, UK

I liked the sermon about an axe near the tree trunk, it was for the leaders and pastors, not for young Christians. God is full of grace, giving us time to repent and a chance to examine ourselves. I felt the presence of Holy Spirit at the conference, everybody repented after the preaching of God’s Word. We felt like one family. I want more Conferences like this. Daiva Cekanaviciute (D), Lithuania I was one of the youngest there, many were older, but young at heart! I learned about a lot of things, including the “Fruit on the tree”. I hope I can go next time. Theo Stoop (D), Netherlands

It was great experience meeting different Pastors & Leaders from around the world. I learnt a lot from the speaker’s words about the Bible. Kevin Blair (D), Northern Ireland, UK

Great to meet old and new faces and to listen to what God is doing in other countries – especially France, Italy, Greece and former USSR countries. One major challenge was the loss of some deaf pastors and leaders from the past few years, please, please pray for them to be spiritually restored and supported. We know Satan hates any deaf pastor or leader doing good things for the Lord, resulting in more deaf people being saved, baptised and serving God. That is why he works so hard to destroy them and why we must keep praying for God’s protection on deaf pastors and leaders today in both Western and Eastern Europe. We must also find ways to support them positively so that they continue to be motivated to serve other deaf people.

We had fantastic fellowship together, meeting with other Christians in Europe. We were very delighted to see many young leaders who love Jesus and long to serve the Lord in their areas. During the break we talked with them about how to improve things in their churches. God challenged them that they need to become mature leaders. We praise God for the new generation. Psalm 79:13 says, “Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you for forever, from generation to generation we will recount your praise.” Bob and Gabi McFarland (D), Leicester, UK ‘It was a good experience and we received many blessings at EDCPLW in Holland. We have 15 countries so far in the red rope, joining and working together as one in the body of Christ. The EDCPLW will be bought to Northern Ireland next year, January 2011, linking yet another country. Let’s hope for more new countries to link and join to make a longer red rope!’ Raymond Abernethy (D), Northern Ireland, UK

David Buxton (D), Epsom, UK Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

world

News around the

India’s deaf rejoice!

The message is now available for them...

The Bible for India’s Deaf Over 1200 jubilant Deaf Indians, packed into a concert hall in the south of India, witnessed history on January 30th, as an indigenous Deaf translation team dedicated God’s Word into the local sign language. Over years of hard work, the Deaf team of six men and two women, trained and equipped by Deaf Opportunity OutReach (DOOR) and Wycliffe, translated 32 carefully selected foundational Bible passages onto a DVD and visual storyboard book. This was a moving event, since it’s the first time in history that the Deaf community in India’s southern state of Kerala have had access to God’s Word in a way they understand – in their language, Kerala Sign Language. One of the reasons this event brought Deaf people from all over India and kept them rejoicing in the foyer for hours afterward is that most Deaf people can’t read. Some can but find it very difficult, since they’ve never heard the language that written symbols on a page represent. Without the association of sound to symbol, every written word must be memorised like a phone number, and who could possibly enjoy, or get meaning from, reading a page of phone numbers. Even where educational support is available, the average Deaf adult only achieves the reading level of a hearing eight year old, and the Deaf literacy rate worldwide is a low 15 per cent. In India, like many other areas, Deaf people live in an information vacuum, cut off from spoken and written communication. They are isolated from

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hearing society, not understanding their family’s religion, their siblings’ aspirations, or even knowing their parent’s name. However, where the Deaf congregate together they develop their own sign language, which is unique to that region and the people who use it. In our modern age, the Christian community has used many new and creative ways to communicate the gospel to the lost but all of our efforts thus far have failed to bring this message to the millions of the world’s Deaf. Christian radio and television broadcasts, gospel audio recordings, printed Bible translations, tracts, songs and drama, the “JESUS” film – all of these things are inadequate to reach the Deaf community. Starved of information about God, Christian and nonChristian Deaf have snatched up this Bible DVD. Deaf translator Siji is confident the Good News will spread quickly amongst the 100,000 Deaf living in India’s southern state of Kerala. It’s heartbreaking that this is the first time in history the Gospel has been made available to these marginalised people and with an estimated nine million Deaf in India there is still so much work to be done. Those continuing to pioneer sign language Bible translation throughout India ask for your prayers and support. www.howimetgod.com/2010/02/684 www. doorinternational.com/news/door-india-celebration Elyse Patten (H)

Allan and Ava Lepik’s exciting miss ion in Greece ...

and although th ey have only le arnt a limited number of Gre ek words, intern at ional sign la n guage crosses For Allan and A the communic va Lepik a new at and exciting ion barriers and they have chapter is just a sign languag beginning in G e tr an reece, a long w th slator at e lo from their hom cal apostolic ch ay e town in Tallin urch they atten n , Estonia and d. the Soviet cult ure they grew It wasn’t all ea up in. Due to n sy trauma, Allan w as w hen they arrive atal as born deaf, vi Greece, they d d in sually impaired idn’t have an ap and his feet do ar n’t function no tm in en . Th t to live e church had b rmally. He attended Pork een looking fo uni Deaf Schoo w r it a h m n onth o su ccess. When A l until he was 18 and after furth llan and Ava st er vocational tr to lo o ar k themselves, ted aining worked a shoemaker, a God led them as hat maker for a w to h a er p e la th ce ey ar Deaf enterprise e now living. Th a brush maker , ey for the associat fo th u n ro d u it g h an estate agen ion of the blind and a school ca t, who wouldn retaker. When a fee, and the ’t take h e price was half w as 23, it was a time of big ch o f w anges as Eston h h at ad expected. Pr they ia became an independent st aise God who p ate and a time ro an vi d d es h el p s us!. of spiritual revi too. Allan pow val erfully experie nced God’s hea of his legs for th ling What will they do ree days, after ? a hearing pasto prayed for him Allan will use G r , and a year late re ek sign language r he gave his lif to Jesus. A dea in painting wit and his skill e f Fellowship st h w o rd s to communic ar te d and Allan was gospel the very first d ate the and each week eaf Sunday Sch they meet and ool teacher. He loved to use pic d ea talk with f p eo ple. Go! Sign h tures to make ave agreed to his message cl for the Deaf an m o ra n ey ear ise to support them d one of the peo in this deaf min ple who came to his class was in Athens and istry a 17 year old ca ask you to pray lled Ava. Ava had been thro fo r th em th at: ugh some diffi cult times at her The word of G school for the od would reac Hard of Hearin h out to many Greek g and was looki for something hearts and thei ng deeper in her lif r lives would be changed e. She became Christian and w . a as baptised wit h the Holy Spir and after a year it at a vocational God would u se Allan and A school in Turku Finland return va in a special , ed to Estonia to way among st the deaf in A attend Bible School . . . and th ens. get married to Allan! Together they led a wee Please support kly deaf home th em financially fellowship in this work fo where Deaf peo God and His D r ple studied the eaf ministry in A Bible and in th 2005 Ava gave en sh s. o D u o ld n at b e sent to: Deaf ions up her job to w Greek Mission ork full time as an administrat Sign, Friendsh , G o ! or for the Eura ip House, 484 sian Deaf Bible Southchurch School for 6 m Road, Southe onths. They wer n d on Sea, Essex e o rd SS1 2QA. Deaf Deacons ained as and travelled o n mission trips Lithuania, Uzb to ekhistan, Egyp t, a 2 year missi placement in th o n e Middle-East an d a 3 month spell in Kazakh stan to adminis trate and teach in the Eurasian Deaf Bible Sch ool there. At the beginnin g of November 2009, God sent them to a new mission fie ld in Greece, an Orthodox co untry, where th e number of evangelical deaf Christians is extremely low and there is a shortage o f pastors and workers. Their goal is to preac h the gospel and build a dea f church in Ath ens. They have met with several Greek D eaf people

•

Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

e c a f o t e c a F

. . . w e i v inter Theron Paker (D), USA

Tell us about your family and your career... I was born Deaf into a Deaf family and have a sister, Erica. My family was not, and is not, very religious. I was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and grew up in California, where I graduated from the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. Today, I reside with my wife and our two sons in Austin, Texas. I work with ABCASL (www.abcasl.com) to promote literacy through sign language, and as a teacher assistant for Austin Community Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ASL program. I also travel the nation with my wife to perform.

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How and when did you became a Christian? I met my wife, Mindy, at Deaf Way II in the summer of 2002 and moved to Texas to be with her. Our love grew and we got married. She had accepted Christ as her saviour but I had not yet taken that step. So many people had tried to convince me to accept Jesus Christ but I was not ready to do that.

One day, Mindy told me I had to go and see this amazing play that she had seen but I didn’t get around to going. This year, on a Sunday evening, my father was visiting and we were watching Sunday night football. My beloved San Francisco 49ers were playing the Atlanta Falcons. We were supposed to go and see the play that Mindy had told me about but, since it was getting late (about 7 p.m.), I figured we were too late in going. Mindy arrived from her errands and told me to hurry up and get going so we could get to the play. I didn’t really want to go because it was so late and we were so engrossed in the game but I decided I’d better listen to Mindy and told my father to get moving as well. He looked disappointed but we all got to the theatre.

It was dark and the play had already started. We were the only deaf people there and so of course we sat in the front where the interpreters were. The play, Alternative’s Hell, was so powerful. It talked about problems in a family and then showed how Satan could control us. The stage design was mind-boggling and beautifully done. Everything looked so authentic, even the props. It was an outstanding play that really touched my heart, especially at the end when they showed what Rapture was like. What I didn’t expect was to see a preacher come onstage after the play to ask the audience if anyone was ready to accept Christ. I knew it was my time and I quickly got up and went onto the stage to accept Jesus Christ.

Mindy was so happy she was in tears. My father, however, was visibly uncomfortable with this unexpected turn of events. But I knew it was the right time and place. I find it ironic that, as a performer, it was a play that helped me accept Jesus Christ into my life. As the theme is about ‘Walking with God’ (Journey with God), has God challenged you in your life? In what ways have you found your journey with God difficult? It was easier than I thought to accept Jesus Christ. However, the challenge is people looking at me as if I am the same Theron. The old me used drugs and didn’t really think about others as much as myself. Often, I will go into the community and people will approach me and ask if I have any drugs. I do not live that lifestyle anymore. It’s difficult to make them realise that my old ways and bad sins are part of the past and no longer part of who I am. Still, it is fantastic being able to show them how God has changed my life. Many things have challenged me but this has been by far the best challenge. By having God’s grace shining on me, showing my true colours, I can live by setting an example for others and giving them advice on how to live authentically. How and who has been your role model, encouraging you to keep walking with God? There are many names that come to mind, but the two strongest role models are Nick LeFors and Larry Gridry, who are both deaf. Nick spoke at the 2003 Dallas Christians Retreat. I was fascinated by his speech and, even to this day, the words he shared are very fresh in my mind. Larry’s story also has never left me. He gave a 23-minute speech about how he witnessed the flames of Hell when he was involved in an accidental explosion. The amazing presence during his testimony about his encounter with God woke me up to the importance of being with God and even instilled a sense of respect and alertness that I did not have before. He simply changed my way of thinking.

Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

As a result, I asked him to baptize me in 2005. We went to Barton Springs, Texas, where, by coincidence, a deaf cyclist passed by as I was about to be baptized. I happened to know this cyclist and had him be my witness as Larry baptized me. It was a perfect moment and I’m very humbled that Larry was gracious enough to baptize me. Three other people have also been part of my journey in walking with God: Mindy, my wife, who has been a continuous source of love, inspiration and wisdom; Mark Wood, who Mindy and I have worked with for ASL Films – he has supplied wisdom, advice, and tips for leading a Christian lifestyle and is wonderful to work with – and Tim Smith, who has encouraged me and provided me with reinforcement; with a solid bond, we are like brothers. How do you encourage others to walk with God? Although I hope seeing me walk with God will encourage others, I also believe that there are more ways than one to encourage others. One approach is to do it through media. My strengths lie in performing and connecting with audiences Among my loves is storytelling, into which I try to incorporate God’s word. By watching my stories, people hopefully will realise the power of God’s presence and ask me for more information and I can encourage them to walk with God. What would you like to do in the future? As mentioned, I hope to reach audiences through my storytelling, DVDs and other media and have them see God’s word and how acceptance of Jesus Christ as

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their saviour can help them live in the ways God intended. I am working on a presentation about second chances. The point of this presentation is that everyone has second chances, regardless of how many times they’ve made mistakes. Even if they feel they’ve failed or fallen, they still have another chance to make things right. It’s my goal to provide this presentation and hopefully touch a few people’s hearts so they can also accept Jesus Christ. But I have many ideas such as writing stories and scripts that will incorporate such messages. I want people to watch and think, “Wow! That’s really powerful!” and leave understanding that they have choices and it’s up to them whether to walk with God or not. For example, we have produced several DVDs, such as Fables: Have ASL, Will Travel, and Folklore from Around the World, that contain morals and values in them (all of the DVDs are available at www.justmindy.com, which also has video clip samples). We have received tremendous feedback on how children and adults use the DVDs as a way to promote discussion and thought about their Christian values and life choices. It’s my plan to make more DVDs like these. Have you any final words to say to the readers? I believe that if you pray to Jesus Christ, He will listen to you and help nurture the tree of fruit in your body. Praying will help you live beautifully. Once you make a conscious effort to stop sinning, rewards will come your way and you will see many blessings bestowed upon you.

Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

Our Tribute to

Chris Wilkins 10

2nd July 1940 -24 th February 20

Bert Barritt (H), former General Secretary of the Deaf Christian Fellowship, writes: I have known Chris since the mid sixties. At that time, Chris was a teacher of the deaf at The Royal Cross School in Preston. Later she joined the staff of the deaf department at Manchester University; she was visiting deaf schools and writing reports on the reading ability of the children.

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England Chris joined the Deaf Christian Fellowship in 1968 and worked in the UK. She led the deaf fellowship in Manchester and visited deaf people in other towns and lead meetings. She loved working with children and young people and arranged many camps for them.

Young Bob McFarland with Chris

France One day, some time in the early seventies, I phoned Chris and asked her if she would like to go to Paris with me as I was going to speak at a missionary conference. Chris replied, “This afternoon I was praying and asking God if He wanted me to study French!” Surely this was God’s leading. So Chris travelled with me on this first visit. In 1972 Chris made several visits to France, meeting deaf people. Sometimes she took a team of English deaf people with her. In 1973 Chris moved permanently to live in Paris. For a time she had a part time job teaching English in a deaf school. She established Christian groups of deaf people, first in Paris, then in other towns where many became Christians. Chris regularly visited these groups and arranged conferences and camps for them.

Morocco Over time Chris developed a heart for Muslim deaf people as she had met a number of them in France. Later God led Chris to leave France and move to Morocco. God helped her in a wonderful way to establish a school for up to 400 deaf children, which was eventually recognised and given some support by the government. Half the children were taught in the mornings and half in the afternoons. Chris trained the staff and brought in unemployed teenagers to work in the school. The school now has an excellent head who is carrying on the school. The children loved Chris, the staff admired and respected her and the parents of the children also had a great respect for her. We have always held Chris in the highest esteem – we value her for her example in trusting God and being obedient to Him in all the ways that He led her. We appreciated her love of the Bible and her leadership among the deaf church. Chris really loved deaf people and will be greatly missed by us all. David Buxton (D), former Chair of Go! Sign, Epsom, writes: My first international deaf mission was when Chris Wilkins invited Bert Barritt and me to Paris in the mid 1980s. I was young man and had only been a Christian for a few years. The visit enabled me to see how Bert and Chris taught God’s Word to the French Deaf people and was the start of my building up contacts with different countries over 20 years. Over those years, Chris wrote long letters to me. In one of them she challenged my views on “integration” but her beautiful

and neat hand-written letters were often inspiring and encouraging. In early December 2008, Chris wrote to invite me and Bronwynne to preach the Word at the French/ Swiss Deaf Conference in April 2009. God clearly said, “Go and find out.” We went there for one week to teach about forgiveness and repentance in Christ. During the conference, Chris decided to give us a short, three-hour, “holiday” break by taking us up to see skiing at the top of the mountains but we were so worried about her ailing health! She spoke in tongues all the way up and back while driving a typical French car, lent to her by a deaf couple! I was terrified riding in the back of the car, refusing to look out of the car window on the mountain side!!! Yet, Chris really taught me how speaking in tongues helped her to trust in God, overruling any fears and even her own illness. Before the end of the conference, Chris had a long private word with me and Bronwynne about her concern for the future of French Deaf Christians, especially deaf leaders, and asked us to support them in the future. We prayerfully agreed and invited a few French Deaf leaders to attend the European Deaf Pastors and Leaders Week in Holland at the end of January 2010 and there they became much more confident and built up new contacts with many countries, especially with four Deaf leaders from Spain. We will continue working with them for future Bible training and conferences. How can we describe Chris herself? She was unmarried and always very busy, a tall lady with a big heart and love for Deaf Christians in France and deaf children. She was sharp and strong- willed, always willing to tell people what she believed was right! I have been told that she was widely recognised as a Bible teacher, prophet and apostle by French mainstream, pentecostal and charismatic church leaders. Not only that but she was a strong, Spring 2010 GO! SIGN

unselfish and faithful intercessor, praying for France, Deaf people, Deaf children and third world countries for over 40 years! In the last few years, she fought so hard against her brain tumour by continuing to minister, teach, preach and provide educational and financial support well beyond her retirement age! Certainly, she is sorely missed by those who knew and loved her as spiritual mother and grandmother, counsellor, teacher and supporter. Alex Buchanan (H), well known prophetic teacher, writes: We met her in Liverpool in 1971 and together we arranged meetings for the deaf in the church where I was the pastor. She became close to us and to our children, and we all loved her.

God, she kept going despite her horrendous sufferings and deprivations. She was a great example to us and to the many others who knew her. Now that she is in Heaven, many will rise up and bless her before God, and He will respond by giving her the great rewards she has earned. Praise God for her life and work – may we all aspire to copy her. So then hear the Scripture: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)

Christine was not an official church leader, but she was a leader in God’s work. She was the nearest thing I have seen to an apostle. She was prophetic, discerning, a gifted teacher and administrator. She was a great Gospel preacher, a discipler, sacrificial, adventurous, and in every sense a godly woman. We are not here only to remember this godly sister of ours – we are here to consider her example, and hopefully to follow it – to “imitate her faith”. If we do so, we will be extending God’s rule in the world – winning many souls, building disciples, not just converts, and pleasing God in the process. I commend Chris as a remarkable lady, whose example is well worth following. Will you do so?

Earlier on, having seen a film about deaf children, God moved her to reach out to them and she did, in England, France, Morocco and other parts of the world. She was a tireless, sacrificial, godly and gifted servant of God. When many gave up, she pressed on; when many sought greater comfort and ease in their work for

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Her last time preaching to

the French Deaf Christians

Footprints in the Sand One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it: “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.” The Lord replied: “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” By Carolyn Joyce Carty (H)

GO! SIGN is published three times a year. The aim of GO! SIGN is to support and enable Deaf Christians through Christian Network, Outreach, Equipping, Teaching and Evangelism Any person or organisation wishing to photocopy or reproduce GO! SIGN articles, may do so provided they acknowledge GO! SIGN’s copyright and do not edit text. The views expressed in GO! SIGN should not necessarily be taken as GO! SIGN policy. Whilst every care is taken to provide accurate information, neither GO! SIGN Ministry Team, Trustees, the Editor nor the contributors accept any liability for any error or omission. A subscription to GO! SIGN costs £11.50 per year for an individual or £20 for an organisation.

Next Issue 74 The theme of the next issue of the magazine will be...

“Rejoice in the Lord” Please could you write an article, your experience, testimony, story or any biblical point of view on “Rejoice in the Lord” It can be something to celebrate God’s work in your area, or in your Christian life, or in the life of church ministry or fellowship If you have something to share, please write to: GO! SIGN Editor (Esther Maycock) 21 Newton Wood Road Ashtead Surrey KT21 1NN Or email to her: crazyerm@hotmail.co.uk

Deadline by

1st August 2010 Spring 2010 GO! SIGN