Youth pastor with lifelong hearing loss says state rehabilitation services helped him through school and into ministry

Nathan Stifler, a youth pastor at Memorial Heights Baptist Church, told a public comment session that he has had hearing loss since birth — ‘‘mainly in my right ear’’ — and that support from the Division of Rehabilitation Services helped him stay in school and train for clergy work.

Stifler said he graduated from Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, West Virginia, in 2023, with a major in Bible and theology and a minor in pastoral studies. He described practical limits from the hearing loss: he cannot hear higher-pitched sounds well (‘‘on the drums I can't really hear the high hat’’) and must turn his head to pick up whispers in his left ear.

‘‘I originally wanted to be a mechanic. My youth pastor was very influential in my life and I just wanted to help people the same way that he helped me,’’ Stifler said, describing his decision to enter ministry. He thanked his mother, the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) for financial and academic support through college, and his wife Albina for keeping him on track.

DJ Richie, identified in the session as the lead pastor at Memorial Heights Baptist Church, said Stifler serves as the church's youth pastor, responsible for planning and coordinating ministry for teenagers and maintaining contact with them outside church activities. Richie noted Stifler attends many games and ‘‘jumps in wherever he can serve.’’

Monty Hogman, a vocational counselor who said he works for the Division of Rehabilitation Services' deaf and hard-of-hearing program, described specific assistance DRS provided. He said Stifler ‘‘requested some paths, which is getting him through high school,’’ and that the agency helped Stifler graduate and obtain training for clergy work, including support for Appalachian Bible College.

Supporters at the session emphasized Stifler’s reliability and relational skills. One described him as ‘‘very honest, very sincere’’ and able to connect personally with young people. Speakers also praised his willingness to learn new skills — recounting that when asked if he played drums he replied, ‘‘No, but I'm willing to learn,’’ and that he has since joined the praise team and taken on digital tasks such as website and video announcements.

Stifler said he is ‘‘perfectly content being here as a youth pastor’’ and sees himself serving in that role until ‘‘the Lord calls me somewhere else.’’ The session included personal testimony and endorsements rather than formal votes or motions.