5 min read
A Lifetime of Service and Beyond
Vern Scoggin, UGM's longest-serving board member, has overseen remarkable growth and change for over half of UGM's existence. Joining in 1985, he was...
“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13)
It’s hard to think long term. In today’s culture of instant gratification, creating a long-term plan– whether that be toward financial investments, retiring debt free, or investing spiritually in the next generation—is like swimming upstream. It takes wisdom, hard work, and sacrifice. For Caryl and myself, we were challenged early on with owning our own home before retirement. If we hadn’t made a plan and committed to it long-term, it would never have happened.
“Nearly anyone can control their behavior
for a set time, but unless there is healing at the
heart level, old behaviors will resurface.”
This principle holds true on the journey to recovery. It’s easy to say you’ll quit drinking or using, but without a solid plan, the chances of long-term success are slim. This is evidenced in short-term treatment programs that focus on the symptoms of addiction rather than healing the underlying causes. Nearly anyone can control their behavior for a set time, but unless there is healing at the heart level, old behaviors will resurface. For many, that means relapse.
What you’re doing when you partner with Union Gospel Mission is giving people the vision, tools, and resources necessary to create a long-term plan for themselves and their children. That’s our goal, and that’s what I see happening every day. Through faith-based guidance, wise instruction, and the opportunity to practice new behaviors within a safe, healing community, our residents are able to set a new course…for life.
The Mission is more than emergency food and shelter. We’re addressing issues of the soul, issues of the heart, and offering hope for a new life. As you read the stories in this newsletter, I want you to see how your partnership is an investment in the future. The healing that the Lord is working in hearts and minds every day will have a life-long impact on our guests, their children, and their children’s children.
5 min read
A Gift that Lasts
For years, UGM has been blessed to receive countless gifts from faithful partners who included the ministry in their estate plan. Today, we have 256 ...
3 min read
Exploring Something New
Beverly Bergstrom is a front desk volunteer for our Spokane administrative office. She and her husband had donated to UGM for years, and one day,...
Go and Do Likewise: a heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director : September 20, 2023
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.” (Luke 10:33) Although the paths that brought...
Decades of Faithfulness: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director : February 1, 2023
While 2022 was a year of exciting new partnerships and profound love and sacrifice in our community, I sit at my desk this New Year and marvel at the
Gratitude In Action: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director : June 19, 2024
Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) I’ve always marveled that one of the things God wills for our life...