Shekinta Ministries continues to operate in Clarendon but the direction of one of its facilities remains up in the air as its founder looks for a direction he says might be “more palatable” to local citizens.
The ministry, which operates “alternative housing” for parolees, drew public attention two weeks ago when seven registered sex offenders were listed in public notices as living at a house on Gorst Street.
Within a few days, most of those offenders were moved out of Clarendon due to what Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn was told was a “technical error.”
Shekinta founder and president David A. Hurlbrink told the Enterprise last Wednesday that he didn’t apply properly for the Gorst Street location.
“There is an application process to go through,” Hurlbrink said, “and I apparently inadvertently violated that process. I wasn’t’ successful in getting the Gorst location approved.”
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says Shekinta Ministries rents to parole clients as it is an Alternate Housing Resource for the client population with an approved facility at 218 N. Sully St. that can house up to seven paroled offenders.
Hurlbrink told the Enterprise that a White Street address mentioned in last week’s article is actually his personal residence and office.
Hurlbrink says he understands the public’s concern about having registered sex offenders move into the community, but he says he feels it’s his calling to help those men.
“I completely get where everyone is coming from,” he said. “Those are today’s modern lepers. No one wants to do anything with them. I’ve been called to put together an immersion program for them.”
That program includes getting the men employed and teaching them life skills such as cooking and balancing a checkbook.
“I want to serve the community not harm community,” he said. “The last thing I want is people scared.”
Hurlbrink says he previously served in the military and eventually moved to Texas.
“Things fell apart for me,” he said. “I started seeking the Lord. I wasn’t doing what He told me to do. He allowed things to blow up then came together. This whole thing is me trying to give back.”
Shekinta Ministries was founded in August 2014, he said. The name means “the Lord’s presence.”
“Without spirit we can’t affect transformation and that’s what this program is designed to do,” Hurlbrink said. “Take guys with a basic understanding of God and immerse them in God’s word.”
Hurlbrink said he moved to Clarendon in March 2017 and purchased the Sully Street location when he starting receiving his VA pension.
He says he would like parents and the public to know that he understands their concerns.
“I would say to them that we have put these men under GPS supervision,” he said. “I was continually in touch with parole office. They were required to register everywhere. They were tightly regulated and supervised. Last thing I want is an offense in my community. I understand the fear but I have to push through the fear.
“I believe these are godly men who truly want a fresh start. As long as they were willing to put in the work, I felt obligated to give them the chance.”
Hurlbrink says he has been reconsidering the direction of his ministry especially in regards to the Gorst Street property.
“I knew resistance would be there, but I thought we could show the community through the fruits of our ministry,” he said. “We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the Lord. I believe Jesus paid for those sins no matter how horrific.”
Hurlbrink hasn’t decided whether to pursue reapplying for the Gorst house to serve the same type of offenders. This week he told the Enterprise that he is considering opening it up to serve veterans in some way.
“Maybe that would be more palatable,” he said
Hurlbrink apologizes for the disruption Shekinta has caused to Clarendon.
“I love my community, and I’m sorry for any fear that has gone around. That’s the last thing I wanted. Shekinta is here to be of service in any way that I possibly can.”
Meanwhile, Sheriff Butch Blackburn is not letting up on his warning about having offenders residing in the community. He says that while seven offenders left Clarendon, another man moved to town who has completed his supervision by the state.
“I would just urge citizens to know who they are hiring and be aware of what’s going on and keep an eye on their kids,” Sheriff Blackburn said.
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