Matthew 9:37-38
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
As we celebrate Gill Behenna’s 40th, Ruby Anniversary of her service towards Deaf people around the diocese of Bristol and Swindon, let us reflect on how Gill has supported every one of us here but also in other areas in Bristol.
Gill has also served the Deaf community via many other routes including being on the board of Go! Sign, a charity organisation for Deaf people as well as the organisation Signs of God where she has actively contributed much of her time and effort advocating for Deaf people.
● Founding team of BSL Bible Translation Project and a trustee
● Chaplain for Deaf in Exeter
● First worked with / met Deaf in Salisbury Diocese
● Trustee with Deaf Anglicans Together and promotes Deaf people to represent Deaf views at Synod
● Supported, mentored and promoted Deaf leadership especially within the church
● Trustee with IEWG supporting Deaf Christians from across Europe to meet.
● Created (with Deaf) a signing stream at New Wine and committed to building community there over the decades
● Developed a community of deaf people and interpreters as a ‘safe and often academic space’ at Greenbelt
● Worked with Deaf from different churches
● Always been a storyteller and a lover of BSL poetry.
Gill doesn’t just work with Deaf people, they are her family, community and her friends.
For anyone of you who have met Gill in your life, you will agree with me that it is a true blessing to get to know Gill, especially when she preaches the Gospel both at our churches and our Bible studies both in person and recently virtually!
For all her services for the Deaf community, we thank the Lord and celebrate this moment with her.
Ramon Woolfe