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"Bringing the Gospel to the Deaf Community in Sign Language"

CITI was a dream of the late Dr. George Kraus, Professor at Concordia Theological Seminary and instructor of Deaf ministry. As he shared his dream with the Rev. Robert Muller, a former pastor to the Deaf, and with the Mill Neck Foundation in Mill Neck, NY, it became a reality. CITI trains members of churches to bring the Word of God in sign language to the Deaf of the community. St. Paul wrote, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that faith comes from hearing, ... and that someone needed to be sent to bring the Gospel to the people. God has sent many pastors into the field, ready for harvest, but still, there is a need for the Deaf to "hear" God's Word. Now with interpreters for the Deaf, the Eyes of the Deaf have become their ears which now hear (see) the Word of God. This, in brief, is the story of CITI and is the hope of the CITIzens, who are sent from here to bring the Gospel to the Deaf Community in Sign Language.

CITI cannot make an interpreter in one or two weeks. We can not do it in one or two weeks over the period of three years. (CITI has three levels of training). We are only an instrument which God can use to equip some of His people through specialized instruction. The Church Interpreter can gain valuable training and advancement of skills, understanding of the Deaf and Deaf Ministry, and some Christian encouragement through their participation in the CITI program.

CITI does not train persons for work outside the church context. There are many fine interpreter training programs which do that. These same programs do not train persons for work in the Church. Consequently, CITI plays an important part in the total picture of the Deaf and interpreter experience here in America.

To accomplish our main goal of assisting the Church Interpreter for the Deaf to enhance their work as Church Interpreters, we emphasize the following:

• Growth in understanding the Bible and how it is translated into Sign Language.
• Growth in one's personal, spiritual, and devotional life.
• Growth in understanding Pidgin and ASL as it is used in the churches.
• Growth in understanding Deaf Culture and the Deaf Community
• Growth in understanding Religious Terms and Signs.
• Growth in working as a member of a team ministry
• Growth in understanding the difference between a Church Interpreter and a "Free Lance" Interpreter.

CITI consists of intense training and study all day for seven days. There will be time for Bible Study, Language Studies, Religious Vocabulary Studies, Deaf Culture Studies, and Religious Hymns and Songs for the Deaf. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is explained as well as other significant organizations serving the Deaf. There is opportunity for those who are able not only to attend chapel on the seminary campus, but also opportunities to interpret a real service. In the dorms, there are also "family devotions." Those living in the dorm may volunteer to share a devotion with the residents of the dorm. Food is eaten in the Katherine Lutheran Hall among the international students and the seminary students.

CITI is designed to take advantage of the total experience; learning from other students, interacting with Deaf Christians, learning skills from experienced instructors, gaining insights from knowledgeable seminary Professors, worshipping in the Chapel and dorms, visiting deaf congregations. The whole experience is like a spiritual retreat as one learns from God's Word in all the classes. From the experiences and learning acquired at CITI, a Church Interpreter becomes better prepared to meet the demands of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Deaf of their Christian community.