ROANOKE, Va. –– During the 2011 session of the Virginia Annual Conference Jim Green, conference president of United Methodist Men, introduced Mark Hicks, the founder and president of DISCIPLE Bible Outreach ministries.

This ministry empowers and equips laity to lead Bible study sessions in state prisons and to help inmates prepare for life after their release from prison.

Gil Hanke, top staff executive of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, addressed the gathering about the partnership between United Methodist Men and DISCIPLE Bible Outreach.

A partnership agreement was signed to officially start the program in Virginia.

Training will be held at the Virginia Conference center, Sept. 17-18.

A similar agreement was signed during the Memphis, Tennessee, and Holston Annual Conference sessions. Training for persons serving inmates in Tennessee state prisons will be held August 27-28 in Brentwood, Tenn.

For information, visit www.disciplebibleoutreach.org.