Testimonials

Read other testimonials in our guestbook!

Letters We Have Received

    "In my role as Director of Special Needs Ministries for the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, I serve as a resource to 265 churches to assist them in becoming architecturally and attitudinally accessible in their daily church life.  In this capacity, I have had the opportunity to work with Mark and Sonya Ellis as they shared their musical gift of composed song and accompanying sign language. Their songs and sign presentations are truly inspirational and are an encouragement to others. Their message is one which seeks to eliminate fear and strengthen understanding of individuals with disabilities. Their music can facilitate changed attitudes and encourage children, youth and adults to welcome individuals with disabilities in the congregations. I look forward to working with them in the future and I highly commend them...."

Rev. Rosalie Norman-McNaney
Director of Special Needs Ministries
American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts
47 Sunderland Road
Worcester, MA  01604

    "I have known Mark and Sonya for several years as volunteers for the Salvation Army.  In the past year, I have had the pleasure to watch their ministry evolve and grow. Their unusual approach to spreading God's Word through original music, both sung and signed, is dramatic and inspirational. The combined visual and auditory effect is powerful. I have seen it touch people in wonderful ways, and lives have been changed.

    Mark and Sonya also bring a joyous message of God's love to young children through their signing-to-music program.  Sonya provided this program at our Bible Camp last summer and was a hit with the youngsters. She kept their interest and attention while giving them important information about God. We have invited her back next year....

    I am fully supportive of their (ministry). I believe, as they do, that God is leading them on this journey and that they are meant to use their ministry to reach people of all ages and all abilities with God's Word, and to further God's Kingdom."

Ralph W. Hansen, Captain
Montachusett Corps Commanding Officer
The Salvation Army
739 Water St.
Fitchburg, MA  01420-6479

    "I have known Mark Ellis for many years, both in his capacity as a journalist and personally. I have always found him to be an honest, moral and religious man.  In recent years, he and his wife, Sonya, have become very serious about their ministry and have devoted themselves to God's service. They have dedicated their ministry to bringing the word of God to all people -- hearing and non-hearing, blind and sighted, adult and child."

Stephen M. Brewer
Massachusetts State Senator
State House
Boston, MA  02133-1053

LETTERS WE HAVE RECEIVED.....

    "I want to convey our thanks to you for performing so beautifully for us at our building dedication. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful music.Your music is so moving that many said they had tears in their eyes as you performed."

Nelson E. Mather III
Building Committee Chairman
First Church
Sterling, MA

    "Mark and Sonya, I want to thank you again for last Sunday. I am still receiving compliments from people who came. One of the people who were there lives in Hampton Beach. She was taken ill and had to have emergency surgery. When I visited her, all she could talk about was you. She is dying to get back to Hampton to beg her pastor to invite you."

Rev. Fred Agnir
First Congregational Church
Greenfield, MA

    "The Lighthouse Song & Sign Ministry is a special way to open up Sign Language in your church or to draw the Deaf community into your church. Our church has Sign Language Classes and Mark and Sonya  encouraged our people to continue their ministry and to know  that they were not "alone" in this ministry. Their visit helped us  focus the congregation on our ministry with the Deaf and showed that everyone can learn to sign if they try. We have adult, elementary and pre-school Sign Language classes and they all enjoyed this worship experience. The original songs written by Mark were a true blessing."

Mary Ellen Gardner
Coordinator of Deaf Ministry
Belleview United Methodist Church
Belleview, Fla.

Dear Mark and Sonya,
    Thank you for your wonderful music at our recent worship service as part of our International Fair. We received many positive comments from those attending both the worship service and the concert which followed. You have a wonderful ministry which we hope will be shared with many people.

Sincerely,
Pat Stanley
Heifer Project International
Rutland, Mass.

    "Through the help of a grant from the Groton Trust Fund, we had the pleasure of participating in a children's sign- and sing-along concert, put on for us by Mark and Sonya Ellis of Lighthouse Song & Sign. Children and adults alike enjoyed a half hour of beautiful music accompanied by sign language, as well as had the opportunity to learn the words and signs to a song entitled "Did You Ever."  I would say the children caught on rather quickly. Sonya and Mark were both accommodating and patient with us, responding to the children beautifully and conveying a wonderful sense of fun in their performance."

Linda Kazinsky
Director, Groton Community School
Groton, MA

"Mark and Sonya, it was wonderful having you here and meeting you in person.You are truly being used by God in a mighty way!!!  May God bless your ministry and cause it to grow and touch more lives."

Mary Silver, sign choir director, First Baptist Church, Perryville, MD

Pearl Huber, teacher and sign language club advisor
Lighthouse Christian Academy, Manahawkin, N.J. "The program of music and signing was beautifully done and captivating for both the teachers and students who came to the assembly.  The Ellises were even willing to stay till after school to meet with our small sign language club.  It's obvious that both Sonya and Mark love the Lord and what they do. Thanks for sharing that with us!"