2004 Conference - Huntsville, Texas

The second annual DPMN began at 4:00, Thursday, September 9, 2004, with a welcome light dinner for 37 conference attendees. The theme of the conference was "Break Down the Walls."

The DPMN Group went to Estelle Prison Unit in Hunstiville, Texas to have a worship service with Deaf inmates. Each of the Conference attendees who gave their names, their states where they came from and gave their brief about their ministries. Scott DeLoach they came from and gave their brief about their ministries. Scott DeLoagave us the Word of God about "The Target," from the Bible. We had a good fellowship with the Deaf inmates before we go back to University Hotel.

On Friday, September 10th, we went to criminal court room for the workshops. Tim Bender from Louisville, KY gave the devotional related to "Out Of Box" from the bible. He explained to us that we should go and spread the gospel to those people who needs to know about Jesus. We need to outreach them from out of the church, not inside the church.

We had the Session Speakers on that day. The Session 1 speakers were Bryan Collier, Director Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Parole Division, Dough Dretke, Director Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Correctional Institute Division, Stuart Jenkins, Region III TDCJ Parole Division and Len Salmon, Chaplain, Estelle Prison Unit.

The Session 2 Speakers were Vickie Hallman, Region II Director TDCI parole Division, Kareena Heath, Physically Handicapped Offenders Program - Estelle Prison Unit, Ira Hendon, Deaf Specialist, Career and Recovery Resources, Detra Stewart, Regional Deaf Specialist, Nightengale Center, Melanie Cook, SAFP, Estelle Unit and Bert Thompson, Restorative Justice Prison Ministry volunteer.

On the evening banquet, Scott Deloach led the banquet program and introuduced the deaf performers from Woodhaven Baptist Church, Houston, TX: gave us the drama title "Second Chance" and the ladies performers sing songs in signs. Scott Deloach welcomed Mark Renke from Elk Grove, California, who accepted the postition as DPNM Secretary on the DPMN Board. Mark gave the testimony and a short devotional called "Why are you here?" from Jeremiah 1: 4-5. Scott introduced Doug Dretke, Director Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Parole Division spoke us about his Christian background and Faith-based ministries. Tim Bend from Louisville, KY led the prayer in closing.