A Piece in the Puzzle

By Beth THomas

Gordon Haines may seem like an ordinary guy, but he’s actually a tech genius. At his church in Clarksville, Maryland, he’s the go-to person for all things audiovisual and information technology (AV/IT) related. From setting up Wi-Fi to running the livestream, Gordon does it all. On Sabbaths he’s in charge of making sure the online audience feels as though they’re part of the service too. Plus, he’s always working on upgrades and getting things ready for special events.

When Gordon was baptized in 2014, his dad asked how he wanted to help at church. Gordon had always been interested in AV stuff, so he joined the team right away. At first he worked mainly with the soundboard. But in 2017, when the church wanted to stream their services online, Gordon stepped up to make it happen with his networking skills.

Gordon’s not your average tech guy. He has some special abilities that make him perfect for this job. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD when he was younger, but instead of letting his diagnoses hold him back, he’s turned it into his superpower. With his keen focus and knack for patterns, he’s a pro at troubleshooting glitches. Plus, his sensitive hearing helps him tune microphones to perfection. 

Behind the scenes, Gordon is really talented. He knows that by making everything run smoothly, he’s helping his church family–both in person and online. Even though he hasn’t figured out his spiritual gift yet, he knows that what he does with the AV/IT team helps spread God’s Word.

It’s super important for each of us to know that we all have things to offer, no matter how we’re different. Whether you have ADHD or Asperger’s, are blind or hearing-impaired, or face other challenges, you bring awesome ideas and talents to your classroom and community. When we welcome everyone and include them, our group gets even better! It’s like having a big puzzle where each piece is unique and makes the whole picture complete. 

By being kind and supportive to each other, we make the world a happier and more colorful place. Always remember, what you have to say matters, and you can make a big difference just by being you. Let’s keep making our world a better place by respecting and appreciating everyone!

what is asperger’s syndrome?

Asperger’s syndrome used to be a diagnosis related to autism. People with Asperger’s process information differently than others. They know a lot about specific topics that interest them, might have a hard time understanding others’ emotions and communicating with them, and might repeat the same behavior over and over. Many people, including some celebrities like Elon Musk (one of the richest guys in the world), have been diagnosed with Asperger’s. They’ve used the special way their brain works to do some amazing things!