Our church, Grace Christian Fellowship, is across the street from Logan Elementary. Over the years, we have watched the children in our neighborhood come and go from school, not really knowing what to do with them. Basically, I think you could say we ignored them. At the same time, we were racking our brains for ways to reach out to the community around us.
Our perspective changed 180 degrees when we were offered a partnership with the Union Gospel Mission to take these kids to UGM Camp for free. The results revolutionized our ministry. It brought our whole church together with a common mission to reach the lost right in our neighborhood.
One week at camp connected us with fifty 3rd to 6th graders. We had a lot of fun, laughing and playing games. Other times, we wept as we studied God’s Word together. The relationships that were created will be lifelong; some have even extended to the parents and guardians.
Tshimakain Creek Camp has proven to be the perfect entrance into neighborhood ministry for us.
~ Dave Nelson, outreach pastor
6 min read
From 2001 to 2026 This year, Union Gospel Mission of the Inland Northwest celebrates 75 years of changing lives in our communities. Over the years,...
1 min read
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director, Leanne White, Content and Communications Specialist: June 4, 2026
In the 1980s, I was part of Campus Crusade, a ministry working with students—future leaders—on a college campus, believing they'd make an impact on...
5 min read
In our previous newsletter, we reflected on the Mission’s early years—those initial twenty-five years driven by courageous women and men who launched...
1 min read
Barbara Comito, former marketing director : March 12, 2013
Spring break missions group from the Evangelical Free Church in Bozeman, Montana What are your plans for spring break? Some people go skiing or head...
1 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer : May 24, 2016
These days, millennials get a bad rap. They’re called lazy, selfish, rude. But when it comes to the millennials on the UGM Student Impact Team, these...
1 min read
James Bishop : February 1, 2015
Aaron Staeuble, Pastor Kurt’s son, has Down syndrome. He volunteers Monday through Friday at the Center for Women and Children in Coeur d’Alene.
Barbara Comito, former marketing director
