Pastor to the Homeless

Shortly after moving to the Spokane Valley a year ago, Ken Carpenter, a retired pastor, visited the Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store. Noting the store’s name, he said to the cashier, “What’s the ‘gospel’ got to do with this store?” The cashier explained UGM’s purpose statement, and Ken’s interest was piqued.

A short while later, Ken attended UGM’s volunteer orientation and began doing pastoral counseling with guests in the UGM Men’s Shelter. As he shared the gospel with men and they committed their lives to Christ, Ken wanted to ensure they were being discipled, so he started a regular new believers’ Bible study.

“Two things really light my fire: to be used of the Lord in a humble way to reach people for Christ and to see believers grow in the Christian life,” Ken said. Ken has found the opportunity for both at the Mission.

Ken is Dean Lynch’s mentor. Through spending time together – fishing, church, men’s group – natural discipleship takes place. As a relatively new believer, Dean benefits from Ken’s lengthy years of studying the Word and walking with God through both joys and trials.

And if all that is not enough, Ken has also organized a monthly prayer time for people committed to the ministry who want to pray with specificity for its needs.

If you’d like to pray for UGM, join Ken on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 a.m. in the UGM board room, 1224 E Trent Ave. Please call ahead for possible schedule changes, 509.535.8510.