Questions and Answers:
What is the goal of the Hearing Everett film as it relates to Rancho Sordo Mudo?
Our primary goal in producing this project for Rancho Sordo Mudo was to make a film that gives the audience a true vision of how God works through people for His purpose. Along with that, it is intended to raise awareness towards the deaf community of children that exist not only in Latin America, but throughout the world. This goal is centered on the fact that Christ Jesus is the Redeemer.
Beyond Rancho Sordo Mudo and the deaf children it serves, does the film bring into focus any other groups of people?
Most certainly. This project’s intent is to launch a campaign that mobilizes the church to serve in their community and beyond. Hearing Everett is designed to highlight and inspire the American church to revolutionize volunteerism within their community and across the globe, to change the very core of community through service.
Is the film a “stand alone” tool for the church?
The film can be used as a “stand alone” if desired, however, the project is designed around the film being incorporated with an accompanying small group study guide. The film itself culminates in an “action step” directed towards the viewer. The study guide then takes the viewer on a 5 week personal journey into discovering how serving God applies to their own life. This is a designed program of action that provides a resource for the growing need to connect people to service projects.
I understand there is a film to view, but how is the Study Guide portion set up?
The Hearing Everett Study Guide is designed to be done on a family or small group level. The study guide is broken down into five sessions. The first session is designed to initiate thought provoking responses that directly relate to the film itself. The following four sessions then take you on a weekly journey of examining four key components related to serving God: God’s Calling, God’s Provision, God’s Strengthening, and God’s Rewards. The study guide is supported by a DVD that features an on-camera host and 4 short testimonial documentaries (complete with questions that re-enforce each journey), a weekly curriculum that is designed to be completed between sessions and then discussed during the group meetings, and a daily devotional is included that runs the length of the study, that can also be incorporated by the participant in their daily quiet time.
What would be the desirable outcome for someone who views the film and completes the study guide?
On a personal level, for people to realize that they can make a lasting difference in their lives and the lives of others by following God’s plan for their lives. To create an understanding that one’s greatest ministry will come from their greatest personal trials and to see that God uses everyone regardless of age, affluence, or attributes. Finally, the goal is to reinforce to the individual that the use of their resources and talents are to build His Kingdom, while providing a message of hope and accountability to the next generation.
How does the Hearing Everett project address Mission work on a global and local scale?
The project presents a new image of “missionaries”, shifting the paradigm from serving trips and being involved in mission work being only for a “chosen few”, to everyone in the body of Christ is called to serve. It is designed to encourage a radical change in thinking and acting towards mission work and community service. It points out that everyone that sits in a church pew can become a participant in actively serving both locally and abroad.
Realizing the subject matter of the film deals with the hearing impaired, could this film be used by deaf ministries as well?
Absolutely. The film will be sub-titled in both English and Spanish with the goal of reaching as many ministries as possible.
