2017: Looking Forward

In his year in review, Phil talks about what God did through our partners in 2016 to bless the poor and homeless at the Union Gospel Mission.

We’ve looked back: Now, let’s look forward!

Student Impact Center

This year the new Student Impact Center will open in the former Crisis Shelter building. We’re excited to see college students come to invest themselves in urban ministry while living at the Center. Soon, they’ll be helping homeless teens find a better, God-honoring path for their lives. 

One way you can find out more about plans for the Student Impact Center: Attend the January 23 meeting of the UGM Auxiliary, where Youth Outreach Director Ryan Brown will give more details. The meeting is at 10 a.m. in the chapel at 1224 E. Trent, and all are welcome!

Crisis Shelter Campaign

The new Crisis Shelter will continue to expand to help more women with a broader range of services, and we hope to see more women return to the work force and find safe, permanent housing for themselves and their children. We also hope to close the books on the Crisis Shelter Campaign as soon as possible so as to turn our attention to other pressing needs!

Phil’s phrase for 2017: Be controlled by the Spirit

“Be filled with the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:18 says. Looking at what the Apostle Paul wrote in Greek, the meaning of these words is actually more like, “Be controlled by the Spirit.” This year and every year, our decisions individually and collectively as a ministry should be first and foremost directed by the Spirit of God.

This year, Phil is focusing on making the daily decision to surrender to God’s control, His purposes. Romans 12:1 says to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” A living sacrifice doesn’t just give itself once: Every day, it has a chance to offer itself or withhold itself. Every day, we have the choice to be controlled by the Spirit or to try to take control for ourselves. We can walk in the Spirit or walk in the flesh.

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” – Galatians 5:16-17

Phil urges all of UGM’s partners to make the choice every day: Be controlled by the Spirit, the One who empowers every effective ministry and does miracles of transformation in people’s lives every day here.

By God’s grace shown through UGM’s generous partners, we had an amazing year in 2016. Join us in praying for his Spirit to direct and empower every aspect of UGM’s ministry in 2017.

Make helping the homeless a priority for 2017: Click below to download a free e-book with ideas of how you can do it!