We are pleased to announce that the “launch service” for Hands for Christ — the newly planted GCI congregation in Staten Island, New York — occurred on September 16. Here is a report from Pastor Mary Bacheller.
What a great day it was! God was surely present. Our Launch Sunday service had 38 people (33 adults and 5 children) in attendance. The average age was about 38.
We opened with prayer and the whole service was conducted in American Sign Language with no voicing. It was truly wonderful! Following the service we met in the fellowship hall downstairs to celebrate the birth of a new church for the deaf: Hands for Christ Community Church!
The birth of this new church has been greatly helped by several people. First I want to mention the capable assistance given to me by Randy Bloom and Becky Deuel from GCI’s Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM). Also I have learned a great deal by attending Exponential conferences. I also want to give thanks for the love, support and prayers from our mother congregation, GCI’s New Life In Christ church in Queens, New York, led by its dedicated pastor, John Newsom and its ever-thoughtful elder, Jonathan Browne. I thank all these people from the bottom of my heart!
Note in the picture below the joy reflected in the smiles of those who attended this first service. Their generous offering reflected that joy and was an awesome tribute and praise to our Living God! I thank God for giving me the opportunity to lead a wonderful team in starting this new GCI church for the deaf in Staten Island.
Congratulations. I’ll be praying that you may reach many.
Mary, how very wonderful! I deeply appreciate and admire your faithfulness, your persistence and creativity–all in response to the lead of the Holy Spirit. What an amazing step forward–both for your new congregation and for GCI. God bless you all!
District 8 is so proud of you and grateful to God for what He’s doing through you. Keep up the great work! Dave and Hinka
Oh Mary, how wonderful and exciting is the beginning of this new special focus for those in need. I hope this can be multiplied for others in your area, and possibly for other areas of like need latter on, God Bless, our prayers are with you!
God bless you, Pastor Mary. He has been with you from the seed of an idea in your heart to the reality of today. Wonderful things are indeed ahead.
Congratulations Mary! It was great meeting you in Memphis this past year and hearing the wonderful news of your church plant. May God richly bless you in his ministry in this area.
Love Tom and Sandy
It is just great that God can communicate with everyone no matter in what state they may be found. There is great contentment therein with unlimited promise. This is indeed inspiring to us all. Congratulations Hands For Christ.