Decades of Faithfulness: a heart-to-heart message

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 decades of faithfulness I’ve had the privilege of witnessing here at the Mission. There are dozens of individuals, businesses, and churches that have been faithfully committed to our guests throughout my entire tenure, and hundreds more who have provided at least a decade of support. 

Greg Beumer, 42 years of service

Since 1981, my friend Greg Beumer has been leading chapel services at the Men’s Shelter. When I took the role of Executive Director in 1986, Greg’s unwavering commitment to the Mission was a great encouragement to me, and throughout many changes and some upheavals, his love for the Lord only continued to grow stronger. Through song and sound teaching, he has witnessed to thousands of men over the course of 42 years of service. 

Vern Scoggin, 38 years of service

Another long-term partner is my friend Vern Scoggin who has served on both the UGM Association Board and the Foundation Board since 1985 and is also active in four UGM committees. His gift of sharp business acumen and his commitment to total transparency have been key in maintaining our standing as a pillar of trustworthiness in our community. 

Linda Bates, 32 years of service

And, just recently, I was informed that our dear Linda Bates is stepping back after 32 years providing eye care in our Medical Clinics. Having retired professionally in 2005, she continued volunteering at the Mission for another 17 years and provided life-changing care to thousands of suffering men, women, and children.

What I love to see when I pause and reflect over these individuals and many others who have faithfully served is how God has gifted them so uniquely. We wouldn’t put Greg in the Medical Clinics or Vern behind a guitar. It wouldn’t work if we were all the same. I’m reminded of the apostle Paul’s words: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” (Ephesians 2:10). Good deeds are not acts we perform to gain God’s favor, but they are the everyday behaviors of His children responding to His work in their lives.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created

in Christ Jesus to do good works, which

God prepared in advance for us to do,”

(Ephesians 2:10).

For over seven decades, this community has been coming together to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness. Thank you for your faithful partnership.

Watch Phil's 2022 year-end message: