Photo by Jessica N. Rex Volunteers from the Warren County Prison Ministry play a vital role in their outreach to inmates. Pictured here are volunteers from left to right: Don Deppen, Jim Houghtling, David Bosko, Lou Varallo and Darlene Varallo. Missing from the photo are Bob Sears, Jeff Blakely and Zach Wolfe.

Following 50 years as president of the Warren County Prison Ministry, Don Deppen may be handing the baton to Bob Sears as president, but his foot won’t be out the door completely. The same goes for Jim Houghtling, who, after 21 years in the ministry as treasurer is stepping down from his position, but not totally away from serving while David Bosko has stepped into that role.

Deppen shared that the ministry began 75 or more years ago with John Nelson and Marlin Neal. After an incident that shook him, Deppen took Neal’s advice which was, “Don’t get mad, get involved.”

Describing some of the changes throughout the years, he mentioned that he led singing for a long time and then took turns preaching the messages. He said he felt blessed with volunteers and leading Bible studies.

He posed the question: “Why be involved?” He went on to mention from the Bible about when Jerusalem was attacked and walls were torn down. He said, “Nehemiah got the community together to build the walls back up. That’s what people of small towns and villages have to do. They have to get involved with the community,” shared Deppen.

He also commented the work is rewarding and he has no regrets about the time he spent as the president of the ministry. The ministry team goes into the prison nearly every day, including services of all different times on Sundays as well as a movie night.

“All of that is gratifying to everybody that is involved,” continued Deppen. The ministry is made possible all by donations and volunteers in this faith-based non-profit Christian organization.

Before Jim Houghtling got deeply involved with the ministry, he shared how quickly he was hooked after an invitation to a meeting. He found himself with a desire to be part of an outreach and wanting to make a difference in others’ lives.

Saying the inmates that chose to be part of the ministry made a conscious decision to listen to what he had to share and it’s what made all the difference to him. Looking back at all of it, Houghting said, “I never have done anything in my life that I ever felt more fulfilled than going into the prison and being a disciple — is how I looked at it.” It made a tremendous difference in his own life. Humbled, he is hopeful that he has made a difference in others’ lives as much as they had made to him. Planting a seed of faith is the reason for why they do what they do.

Darlene Varallo retired from home health care and got involved with the ministry after just giving it a try once. She soon became the secretary in 2011 and she shared that she writes back and forth to the lady inmates, even still to some that went to state prison. Her husband, Lou Varallo, a retired dairy farmer, has helped for several years and is the one who is often said to build extraordinary relationships with the inmates, connecting with them on a certain level due to his own testimony. When the prisoners get out, the group meets some of them at the Crossings Cafe in Warren where they attend the Saturday church service as well as meeting up with them to do community service. Lou shared, “The fact that they know that we care-that we want to build a relationship with them and in order for them to build a relationship with Christ, we have to build a relationship with them. We are blessed by going in there and learning.”

Volunteers find their experiences deeply rewarding when inmates show appreciation through simple gestures like cards or thank you notes. Even more touching is when inmates offer prayer for the volunteers. Providing the rewarding opportunity to witness true personal growth, volunteers get to see the positive seeds they helped sow begin to flourish.

David Bosko, retired CPA and new treasurer stepped onto the scene after getting invited to a meeting that Houghtling suggested. Agreeing that “Trying to figure out what we can do to try to help and to serve – the key word,”emphasized Bosko.

Special projects coordinator Jeff Blakely leads events for the children of the incarcerated by providing Easter baskets, Backpacks in the County, Trunk or Treat, and Christmas in the County. In an effort to show the families and children of the incarcerated, that they aren’t alone, and that Warren County has dozens of churches willing to come alongside and love these families.

Zach Wolfe has been the chaplain for the past four years since Pastor Marcus Briggs passed away. Wolfe said, “Our volunteers have consistently demonstrated an attitude of service and love toward the inmates. It’s remarkable how many volunteers share how blessed they are by going in to meet with the inmates through these groups and in turn, how often the inmates genuinely thank us for taking the time to come and be with them. It really is a mutual blessing.”

Thanking them for their service, Wolfe said both Deppen and Houghtling led and served with honor, humility, and love. Sharing also the ways that God blessed this ministry in many ways in 2025, he said, “We don’t have the ability to see all the ways God worked for the good, but here are a few areas we want to highlight and give Him credit for including 20 salvations and many re-commitments to Christ; over 125 Bibles passed out to inmates; over 700 devotionals distributed, and over 30 volunteers who served.

Bob Sears, the new Warren County Prison Ministry President, became active with the ministry in 2019 shortly after COVID-19 started sweeping the nation. Originally certified for State Prison Ministry for their Hope Events, singing and playing his guitar with positive messages to the inmates, Sears said that COVID locked them out and that was when he got invited to join the local prison ministry by his neighbor, George Lilja, the retired Cleveland Browns lineman, who at the time was employed at Warren General Hospital; along with Briggs. Sears said, “I never looked back. It was a calling that I never expected that has been a positive experience for myself and inmates alike.”

As the new president, Sears said he has big shoes to fill. Remarking that Deppen has been a faithful servant to this ministry, Sears also said how sometimes people get asked to step up in leadership roles when it is least expected. “I look forward to emulating Don’s dedication to this awesome ministry,” said Sears. Willing to spread the Word for a great cause, he said he always encourages the inmates when they are released to find a positive experience and share their story to help others to pay it forward.

The Warren County Prison Ministry holds meetings on the first Monday of each month at the First Presbyterian Church at 300 Market St. at 7 p.m.