Pastor for the Deaf

My mentor, my good friend, my pastor. In 1986, the Lord called Eugene Bordean to establish the Liberty Baptist Church of the Deaf in Columbus, Ohio, with the purpose of reaching the Deaf. The first church service was held in the basement of a McDonald's Restaurant on September 7, 1986. Eugene had a burden to share the gospel with the 175 million Deaf around the world. He had the great privilege of going on three missionary trips: two times he went to Romania for a couple of weeks, and one time he and his family and others from the church went to Jamaica for two weeks to work with the Deaf. One of his long term goals was to plant a Deaf Church in Chicago, Toledo, Flint, Detroit, and Pittsburgh.

As the founder and pastor of Liberty Baptist Church of the Deaf, Eugene established a Deaf Men's Advance and a Deaf Couple's Retreat which meet annually. The Lord blessed Eugene's prayerful determination in reaching the Deaf community with the gospel as evident in 1999 as the church averaged 110 people for the Sunday morning worship service each week. Liberty Baptist Church of the Deaf also has a great outreach ministry with the students at the Ohio School for the Deaf by bringing them to church every Wednesday night for bible study.

Eugene served on the Advisory Board for the Silent Word Ministries under the direction of Ted Camp in Trenton Georgia for a few years. He was also on the Board of Directors for Baptist International Missions, Inc. (BIMI) Deaf Bible College in Ringold, Georgia. Also, he was on the Dorothy E. Ann Fund (D.E.A.F.) Advisory Board in Columbus, Ohio.

Eugene loved serving the Lord with his wife and three children. It was Eugene's desire that people remember that he loved his God, loved his family, and loved his people (Deaf people).

Eugene's life verse was Jude 1:22, "And of some, having compassion, making a difference." During Eugene's devotions in the spring of 1997, his devotional book asked if he wanted God to use him in a mighty way. Eugene thought a moment and decided God had used him in some ways by starting several organizations for the deaf and a Deaf church, but Eugene felt that God had not yet used him mightily. Eugene told God he would surrender to His will in order to be used and give Him the glory. Eugene and Sharon had no idea what was about to happen. Although Eugene had been sick off and on for five months, Eugene and his family were shocked when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on April 18, 1997. After praying for God's will, he and his wife sought alternative treatments. Eugene often said he did not want to go back to the days before cancer because God taught him so much during his struggle with cancer. Often, he would remind his family to fear God and not to fear cancer. (Matthew 6:33-34) In fact, as a result of Eugene becoming closer and closer to God during his cancer, during his devotions one spring morning in 1998, Eugene told God that he was willing to take cancer back if there would be revival in his own life,in the lives of his family, and in the lives of the Deaf people at church and around the world. That summer, the doctor informed him that cancer had come back in his liver. In September, the oncologist only gave Eugene four or five months to live. Eugene and his wife prayed and trusted God to do what He wanted and that they would keep their eyes on the Lord each step of the way. Soon after the doctor gave Eugene such a despairing report, his wife heard a preacher on the radio say, "A man of God, in the will of God, is immortal until his work on earth is done." This gave them much hope knowing that Eugene's life was completely in the hands of God and not in the hands of doctors. They again held onto the verse that God gave Eugene just before his surgery in May 1997. Psalm 20:7 says, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." The Bordeans realized some people may trust in doctors, some in medicine, but they trusted in God On Friday morning, September 10, 1999, the victory was won. Family and friends saw so many miracles happen in Eugene's life during the 28 months he battled cancer. God took Eugene home to be with Him. Finally, Eugene's pain was over, suffering was ended. Only eternity will tell how God has used Eugene's life and death to influence many Deaf and hearing people here and around the world.

Charles H. Spurgeon

Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) was an English Baptist preacher, author, and editor. Pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle from 1861 until his death. Founded a pastors' college (1856), an orphanage (1867), and edited the monthly The Sword and the Trowel magazine.

Pastor Jim Custer

Jim Custer has been pastoring at Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio since 1968. During those years he has shared the oversight of the ministries of the church, the initiation and development of the Christian Pre & Elementary Schools & Christian High School, the Theological Practicum (an institute designed to train men for pastoral ministry), Bible Institute, and two Missions Boards which seek to plant and mature new churches. Presently 200 full and part-time partners staff the many ministries of the church. Throughout his 45 years of Gospel ministry. Our Pastor loves to study and teach the Bible, especially the prophetic passages which outline God's plan for the future of mankind's history. Introduced to Israel in 1969, he and his wife saw how visiting the lands of the Bible benefited those believers who desired to grasp its message and meaning. Under her gifted administration they have teamed together to lead 26 tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, and Rome. They find great joy in watching the Scriptures come alive for those who travel with them. His messages (sermons) is heard on many radio stations.(mostly in the Midwest) I used to be a member of this church however, the church is too large so my family moved to a smaller church. I still listen to him on the Radio or the Church's website.

Dwight Moody

Dwight Moody is in of my list personal Hall of Faith. Moody was unquestionably the chief spokesman for the revivalist wing of the flourishing American evangelicals of his day. His central leadership role was very similar to that played by Charles Finney before the Civil War or that of Billy Graham in the era after 1950. Moody’s style on the platform was not sensational or spectacular, but more like that of a nineteenth-century businessman who won the hearts of his audiences by homely illustrations that effectively appealed to their sentiments.

Quotes by Moody:

It is easier for me to have faith in the Bible than to have faith in D.L. Moody, for Moody has fooled me lots of time. Dwight L. Moody

Sin will keep you from this book. This book will keep you from sin. Dwight L. Moody We ought to see the face of God every morning before we see the face of man. Dwight L. Moody

We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God. (D.L. Moody)

"Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody; 40 years learning he was nobody; and 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody." DL Moody

The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church...is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her. Dwight L. Moody

God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves. Dwight L. Moody (About Pride) God has cast our confessed sins into the depths of the sea, and He's even put a "no fishing" sign over the spot. Dwight L. Moody

At a certain meeting two and a half people were converted to Christ. "A friend asked if he meant two adults and a child. The facts were just the opposite - two children and an adult. When a child is led to Christ, a whole life is saved!" Dwight L Moody

Jim's Hall of Faith that influenced his spiritual life

I will be posting great faiths in my life over time. I have been listing my personal Hall of Faith. They are those who have impacted my spiritual life. Their teachings and/or influences have impacted my personaly relationship with Jesus Christ. Most are writers. Some are pastors (which I attended churches over the years). Others are music artists.

Twila Paris
Raymond Stedman
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Corrie ten Boom
Joni Eareckson Tada
Francis Schaeffer
James Montgomery Boice
A.W. Tozer
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Pastor Eugene Bordean
Pastor Rick Custer
John MacArthur
David Jeremiah
J.I. Packer
R.C. Sproul
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
More will be added later.