July 8, 2017, was a special Sabbath for the deaf group meeting at the Tabernacle Church in Portland, Ore. Several deaf visitors were in the area as they were on their way to the annual Western Deaf Camp Meeting held at Milo Adventist Academy in Days Creek, Ore., which began the next day.
The deaf at Tabernacle Church have two options for Sabbath School: a regular and a beginners class, both taught by deaf members. David Trexler, Three Angels Deaf Ministries speaker/director based in Greenbelt, Md., was the guest speaker for worship services. After a delicious fellowship meal and a quick group photo, an afternoon seminar was given by Francisca Trexler, Three Angels Deaf Ministries Bible worker. More than 55 people were present for Sabbath services.
Tabernacle Church has had deaf worship services each week since December o2009. In fact, this is the largest group of deaf Adventists meeting in North America. It is an active group with its own worship services in the chapel. Deaf members also put on several events, including the annual deaf camp meeting.