PLANT CITY – It was a weekend that offered hope and inspiration for hearing and visually impaired people and their families.

More than 1,100 people united for songs and Scripture presented in sign language at the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Keep on the Watch! district convention.

The denomination presented the event July 31 through Aug. 2 at its large assembly hall off Interstate 4.

Spokesman Jody Belcher said the theme was based on Jesus’ biblical instructions that followers should “keep on the watch.” The Plant City convention is in its fifth year.

Belcher, a 33-year-old volunteer from Fort Myers and head of the denomination’s news services, is also an American Sign Language interpreter and full-time minister for the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ deaf volunteer ministry.

“For the deaf, it’s a very visual language. They’re able to take in the theme of the convention, the highlights of the drama, and they’re able to get Bible-based instruction in their own language,” he said.

Janice Adams of Alexandria, Va., said the convention provided her with more than a venue to worship.

“By coming here, I have a positive view of the future. I have something to look forward to. I have hope,” said the Jehovah’s Witnesses volunteer minister of 10 years.

Adams attended the convention with her husband of 27 years, Bill, and her guide dog, Roddie, a red Doberman pinscher.

She was born deaf and learned sign language at an early age. It wasn’t until a genetic disorder left her blind at age 20 that she later adapted to using tactile interpretation.

Tactile interpretation involves the 55-year-old Adams placing her hands on top of her interpreter’s hands, who relays the message through hand movements.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been serving the deaf for 30 years through the use of American Sign Language.

Unique to the Jehovah’s Witnesses is the way in which they present American Sign Language. In many other religious services, there is an interpreter performing sign language beside an audible minister. Jehovah’s Witnesses ministers present the message in American Sign Language alone.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses convention took place at a 2,000-seat facility at 1904 N. Frontage Road. The denomination holds similar conventions in other states.

The Plant City assembly hall has technology that includes televisions to magnify the presenters.

In the past 10 years, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have also begun providing the deaf with the Bible by translating it into American Sign Language and onto DVD.

Blair Lacrosse is one of the many deaf people who have been benefiting from the DVDs and conventions. He has attended the past three conventions in Plant City, where he has been both an audience member and a speaker. Lacrosse is a member of the denomination’s Miami Sign Language congregation.

Lacrosse, 46, made the trip to Plant City with his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Marissa, 12, and Aimee, 9.

“My wife and my two children are hearing, but I’m deaf,” Lacrosse said. “My family supports me so much, and I really appreciate their good attitude. They sign with me and we have such a good relationship because there’s no communication barrier.”