My Desire To Be A Christian

Melanie: Tell me a little about yourself, your background, where you were born, where you went to school, etc..

Gary: I attended summer school at Gallaudet. I then started school in the fall without going home!

Mel: Tell me something about your religious background.

Gary: I was baptized as a baby in the Episcopal church. I only went to church on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter, while I was growing up because there were no services for the deaf. I did read children's Bible stories. Because of this knowledge, I wanted to learn more. I met several friends at Gallaudet and learned more about the Bible and the parables. I read paperback books that summarized the Old and the New Testaments.

My mother told me a little about God because she herself is a strong believer in God. She was not negative about God.

After college, I attended different churches with friends. I always enjoyed the services. I attended churches of different denominations; most had interpreted services. I started attending Fairfax Church of Christ when Melanie and Steve Williams invited me. I kept attending until Mark Lowenstein, our deaf minister, arrived.

Mel: How did you feel about God?

Gary: I respected God. I had faith in Him. I continued reading newspapers and other materials related to the Bible, but didn't sit and read the Bible itself. That was my problem. Faith did help me through some crises, plus support from church friends and other friends.

Mel: What made you put off being baptized for so long?

[Mel's note: Gary was baptized on January 6, 2002, by Mark Lowenstein.]

Gary: I made no preparation to be baptized. I was supposed to be baptized a year ago, but was not prepared. I don't like to go ahead with anything without preparation. For example, I didn't read the information about baptism that Mark gave me. I also let other things get in my way, like going out of town a lot, etc. This past December (2001), I told myself, "This is it!" I glued myself to the chair and read the information about baptism! I also had a good, long talk with Mark and finally got the green light to go ahead with my baptism.

Mel: What else influenced you to be baptized?

Gary: My desire to be a Christian. I thought I was always a Christian since being baptized as an infant. When I started going to Bible class at Fairfax, I learned one must be baptized when he understands what it involves. I also learned a great deal from a close friend-how the Bible applies today and about Paul's conversion.

Mel: How have you felt since you were baptized?

Gary: Great! Excited! Part of the church family! I'm enthusiastic to learn more about the Bible. I ordered a set of four videos explaining the first 1,000 years of early Christianity.

Mel: What do you think of Mark as our deaf minister?

Gary: He is a remarkable preacher for the deaf. That is the one word I can think of - remarkable.