BIO:

How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they “hear” without a preacher (an interpreter)?”

In 1986, the Lord spoke to Valerie to do a song in sign language (with her Sunday school class). Knowing literally no sign language, Val called to one of the Christian bookstores to see if they had any books on sign language. Although there were no books, the clerk told her that he knew sign language. That was all she needed! Val went to the store where, in-between customers, the clerk taught her “Rise Again” in sign language. The next day at church, she taught it to the class; they signed the song in sign language that afternoon for the Easter Program. The rest is history. This was truly a divine call from God.

Valerie is passionate about bridging the communication that exists between the Deaf World and the hearing world……especially in the church!! The Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (HH) population is missing this precious Gospel. There are approximately 350,000,000 Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in the world. What percentage professes to know Jesus Christ? Only 2%, yes just two percent! The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are indeed few!

After starting a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and quitting her job in 2003, she distinctly heard the voice of the Lord tell her to “go to the churches”. She currently works to teach American Sign Language (ASL) to churches and ministries in hopes that a passion and desire will be ignited to reach out to the Deaf Community. She also interprets or hires other interpreters for various church and ministry events, including concerts, when needed. Information on Touching The Nations, Inc. can be found at www.touchingthenations.net.

Valerie has spoken and taught in various states (Michigan, Florida, Maryland, Texas to name a few) and she would love to share with others about these precious people and encourage others to learn to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ with this often forgotten and neglected segment of society—Deaf and HH.

Valerie is an ordained minister, with B.A. degrees in Business Management and Sign Language Studies. She is currently the leader of the Deaf Ministry at POWER Centre Church International (PCCI) where Apostle Rita J. Johnson is Senior Pastor. PCCI is located in the city of Belleville, Michigan. In addition, she is also a State Certified Sign Language Interpreter.

For more information visit: www.touchingthenations.net