Yosemite Church to launch Deaf Ministry

Yosemite Church in Merced will launch its first Deaf Ministry – a service church leaders say is much needed in the community.

The church, at 2230 E. Yosemite Ave., will have American Sign Language interpretation available at its 11 a.m. service starting Sunday.

Angelica Martinez, who is deaf and has spent many years trying to promote deaf awareness in Merced, came up with the idea of the ministry and presented it to Yosemite Church leaders.

Martinez, who has a master’s in social work and is now the Deaf Ministry leader, said there are about 17,000 people in Merced County who are deaf or hard of hearing.

“A lot of these people don’t have anywhere to go for church services,” Martinez said. “Spiritual needs will be compatible ... we’ll be included in everything.”

Martinez said church officials welcomed her ideas and sponsored training as well as videos and texts to help carry out these services.

After about a year of training, the Deaf Ministry has a team of 20 members who know American Sign Language. Interpreters, child care assistants and front desk help are part of the team.

Tino Ballestero, executive pastor at Yosemite Church, said this is another opportunity to open church doors to even more people in the community.

“The important thing is reaching a section of the population that we’ve never attempted to minister before,” Ballestero said. “We’d like to see if there are needs that we can fill.”

American Sign Language classes for English and Spanish speakers will also be offered starting Sept. 16. The five-week course will cost $50. The money will go to the Deaf Ministry, Martinez said.

Leaders said people do not have to be members of the church to join the services.

The team is also in the process of planning an American Sign Language Bible study that would include child care.

Martinez said she hopes to use her social work background and add counseling services for family and peers of the deaf and hard of hearing.

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Yosemite Church to launch Deaf Ministry."