Shepherds Class

We have had a Special Ministries program at South New Milford Baptist Church for about 12 years.  It started with a class for mentally handicapped and deaf students.  They were all still in school when we started.  Now, the original class members are adults, and two have moved to group homes out of town.  They still attend when they are home.  Several have graduated to adult classes and have grown spiritually and socially by associating with their class members and have been a blessing in those areas.  We have a certified special education teacher for our class and have sign language available for deaf class members.  When we move to our new church we will be totally handicapped accessible, which is great, because now there are steps involved and small doorways, etc. that would make it difficult for wheelchair-bound students to get in and out. 

If anyone needs special helps or adaptations we will try to accommodate their needs as long as we know what people need.

Our church extends a warm welcome to disabled and deaf people to our fellowship and want to make them feel welcomed wherever they choose to attend within the church.

At the present time we are looking into starting up a "Shepherd's Project" fashioned after the one in Union Grove, Wisconsin,  which will include a sheltered workshop, and maybe later a residential program of some kind for mentally disabled people.  We will be starting with people from Susquehanna County, and then later branch out to surrounding states as our facilities are able to accommodate more people.

Pray for this undertaking, because it is new to us, large, and expensive.  The Lord can provide the staff, financing and participants.  We are trusting Him for all the needs, because we are doing this for His glory and to further His Kingdom on earth

We also have our Grapevine Deaf Ministry that is a part of the Special Ministries program.  Interpreting is provided for the deaf in whatever area they may be involved and whenever they attend our church or Sunday School. Since we began this program several years ago, sign language classes have been made available for the youth and adults.  Many people in the church are able to communicate with the deaf because of this, and are sensitive to the needs of deaf people.  This ministry wants to reach out into the deaf community and welcome them to our church and Sunday School.