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The Adelaide Deaf Community Church (ADCC) in South Australia passed a significant milestone in October with the ordination of Specific Ministry Pastor Julian Mazzeo, who is profoundly deaf.
The ADCC, in partnership with Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Magill, has a proud history of serving the Deaf community, with a Deaf congregation first established in South Australia in the late 1800s.
LLL has supported the ADCC to expand its outreach with an initial grant in 2017 followed by another in 2020.
The grants were used to establish a media studio and live-streaming capabilities, which have facilitated the broadcast of sermons in Auslan, as well as Pastor Julian's recent ordination ceremony.
Julian will build on the fine work of Pastor Michael Prenzler, who learned Auslan while completing his studies for the ministry and was called jointly by the ADCC and the Magill Lutheran Church congregations to a shared ministry in 2017.
"It is very much a handing of the baton over to Julian," Pastor Michael said.
"But people should know this is a continuing journey for the ADCC and that their support, through LLL and their direct donations and prayers, is very much appreciated by our members.
"We had the aim of expanding the ministry beyond the four walls of Magill when we first applied for an LLL Grant, and those funds have enabled the ADCC to become a church that reaches more Deaf than just in the local Adelaide area.
"The studio allows us to produce any videos we need for the Deaf ministry, viewed locally or on YouTube, and we are also able to live-stream weekly services across the country."
LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith and SA-NT District Bishop Andrew Brook were on hand for the ordination ceremony at Pilgrim, Magill.
"It was a special day I will never forget," Pastor Julian said.
"I am happy, but sometimes I feel nervous because I am the only Lutheran Deaf pastor in Australia.
"I have to work on boosting my confidence to serve the Deaf community for God. I trust that God is willing to be with me anywhere and anytime.
"I am looking forward to helping more Deaf people become disciples of Jesus."
To learn more about the ADCC and view video resources, visit the ADCC website here
Photo: Pastor Julian shortly after his ordination in October.
Photo: The ADCC was able to expand its outreach with the aid of an LLL Grant.
