She acts as the ears of deaf congregants

A church's head of deaf ministries has come full circle, after interpreting music and sermons as a young girl there.

By ANGELA MILLER

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000

NEW PORT RICHEY -- When Cindy Levine was a little girl, she thought she could "get out of" listening to the Sunday sermons at church by taking American Sign Language classes.

"Little did I know I would have to listen even more attentively," said Levine, 36, head of the deaf ministries at First Baptist Church of New Port Richey.

Levine said she "grew up" at First Baptist. At 10 years old, she started interpreting the music and sermons for the church's deaf members. "My heart went out to the people," Levine said.

By age 13, she had completed all three levels of American Sign Language classes offered at St. Petersburg Junior College. After graduating from Lakeside Christian School, she attended Trinity Bible College for one year. During her summer months, she worked and traveled with Teen Missions, a Christian missionary organization, and interpreted to the deaf students throughout European countries.

For a year she was part of a singing group called the New Dawn Singers, which traveled all over the United States, Canada and Mexico. She sang with the group as well as interpreting when needed.

Levine and husband Leonard have three children, Andrew, 9, Natasha, 9, and Samantha, 7.

For several years the family visited other churches, and Levine said she was feeling "stagnant" not being able to sign for anyone.

Then she received a phone call.

She was asked to come home to the place where she started signing. First Baptist Church of New Port Richey had an opening for director of the deaf ministries.

"The Lord opened this door for me. It (the knowledge) is still all right here with me; the Lord has kept it fresh and new," she said.

Carl Barnell, a member of First Baptist for five years, helps Levine teach the deaf Sunday school classes. Barnell took classes at the Deaf Service Center of Pasco/Hernando Counties in New Port Richey.

Barnell said that it is rewarding to see someone getting saved.

"You feel like you're needed because it is a job that needs to be done and one that is enjoyable."

One of the church's deaf members, Harold Gilliam, lost his hearing in 1977. He was in the Vietnam War when a man stepped on a mine behind him. Gilliam now is a paraplegic and describes Christ as the source of his strength.

"The pastor and main body of the church have made me feel accepted. It (going to church) is my main part of the week," said Gilliam, 52.

Barnell said that he and many members of the church are inspired by Gilliam because of what he has endured.

Gilliam said that Levine is a very good signer. He and Barnell said that she adds feeling to her signing. She not only signs, she uses expressions and her whole body.

Barnell helps Gilliam get in and out of his transportation van every Sunday because he doesn't have a wheelchair lift to enable him to get out of the van on his own.

Levine said that she will always remember her inspiration and mentor, Claurice Butler, who recently died at age 96. Levine said she appreciated it when Butler would correct her when she signed something incorrectly and when Butler would take her to sign language conferences.

"I am fulfilling my call. I am here to serve," Levine said.

If you're interested

First Baptist Church of New Port Richey is at 6561 Circle Blvd. Its phone number is (727) 849-4210. The deaf Sunday school classes start at 9:45 a.m., and interpretation is available during the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service. The phone number of the Deaf Service Center of Pasco/Hernando Counties is (727) 816-1314.

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