Instead of functioning as a mini-camp meeting experience, the 2005 Central Oregon Convocation was designed as the kick-off event for a community outreach program.

Neil Nedley, M.D., as the main speaker, presented information about brain health and depression. According to Nedley, more than 20 million Americans suffer from depression, and half of the people with major depression don’t even know they’re depressed.

At the end of the Friday evening session, Bend area community and church members were invited to participate in Nedley’s eight-week depression recovery program.