Hope for Healing in the Truth was birthed out of the burden of Darryl and Dee Foster in November 1997 to educate, equip and encourage believers who were dealing with issues of sexuality and those who possessed a desire to minister to them. The Holy Spirit gave Psalms 107:20 as the foundational verse for the conference: "And He sent his word and healed them and delivered them from out of their destructions." Consequently, the first conference was planned and held April 1998, in Waco, Texas.
Approximately 120 persons primarily from the Central Texas area attended the two night event. Guest speakers Pastor Mike Lumberger (now Exodus Intl board member) of Pittsburgh and Pastor Terry Wier of Dallas (Isaiah Ministries) along with supporting city pastors Dr. G. Gillum (host) and Pastor Joe A. Carbajal electrified the conference with God-sent manna. Many of those in attendance indicated through surveys that would support a similar gathering yearly if provided. This was due to the expressed lack of resources available to promote ministry to the sexually broken in our society.
The second annual conference was announced for May 1999, also in Waco at the organizer's home church, Living Word COGIC. The conference quickly turned into a national event as it was well attended by ministers, parents and strugglers from many ethnic, social and religious backgrounds and others from six states and around Texas. Counts showed that over 500 people had attended during the two-night event. Though, pointedly avoided by the gay-friendly media, one brave Christian radio station, KBBW gave us prime time interviews.
Several features were added to the conference. Six workshops where subjects of particular concern could be discussed in detail and close settings were initiated. And in keeping with our African American Church tradition, a gospel music concert with international artist Douglas Miller proved to be a huge asset to the conference's overall appeal. The guest speaker was Evangelist Miriam Passmore of Miami, founder of Out of the Fire Ministry and a rising voice in the cause of freedom from sexual bondages.
After what was widely termed as a "successful" meeting, the Lord called Darryl and Dee to a new frontier of ministry by way of a job transfer to Atlanta. Not without its fears of the unknown, they accepted the call and tearfully and yet gladly moved their ministry WITNESS! to Atlanta. The Lord promised he would never leave them nor forsake them as they begin to seek a fellowship that would accept them and their unique calling.
In the subsequent months, the Lord led them to Cathedral of Faith COGIC and Elder Martin Johnson. Pastor and First Lady Johnson embraced the ministry and later approved plans for the 3rd conference to be held May 19-20 2000 with the theme V2K Victory 2000!
The keynote speaker, internationally known gospel singer, songwriter and Pastor Donn Thomas of Messiah House in Atlanta ministered powerfully. Almost 100 participants came from as far as Denver and Washington DC to take part in 12 powerful workshops and discussions. The highlights of the 3rd annual was the "Service of Affirmation" at Atlanta's famed Martin Luther King, Jr Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Musical guests featured Cathedral's own Reggie Estes, a phenomenal instrumentalist.
Our fourth conference was hosted Aug 2001 by Temple of Faith CME, Dallas. Dr. Jerome McNeil opened the doors and his heart and helped to spread the message of freedom. For the first time since its beginning, Pastor DL Foster addressed the conference as the keynote speaker.
