4 min read
The Father I Found: Pat’s Story of Redemption
At eight years old, Pat’s mom would share a beer with him. “Instantly, I was addicted.” At thirteen, drug and alcohol abuse became a constant. “My...
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16a)
Here at the Mission, we teach the gospel unapologetically. Why? Because real change can only come from the heart. You wouldn’t go to a chiropractor for surgery, a dentist to set a broken bone, or an optometrist for help with a nutritional deficiency. In the same way, we ought not to merely provide food and rest to a person whose most critical need is a saving relationship with God.
The gospel is the power God uses to draw people to Himself—to forgive, to heal, and to restore them from the inside out. It is why Jesus came: to seek and save the lost. And it is what Jesus told us to be about as He concluded His earthly ministry. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).
“The gospel is the power God uses to draw people to Himself—to forgive, to heal, and to restore them from the inside out.”
What I love most about Ken’s story is how it illustrates the power of Christ at work through believers. Initially, Ken was not open to the gospel. He had stopped praying as a teenager and carried a grudge against God for allowing abuse in his life. With gentleness and understanding, Christian staff, volunteers, and other residents welcomed Ken into the safe, healing community at the Mission. When he did finally reach out again in prayer, the Lord answered him through people he’d learned to trust. He heard that he was worth the time and energy it would take for him to find true freedom and peace. He started to believe he was worth something to God and that he was loved.
The power of God at work in us is an unparalleled gift—for our good, for God’s glory, and for the good of those we minister to. As every year passes, I am increasingly grateful to work amongst an army of believers who are not ashamed of the gospel. Thank you for reflecting the character of Christ every day through your faithfulness to our guests.
Find Ken's story and all articles from the March 2023 Mission News below.
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...
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 ...
Pastor to the Homeless
James Bishop : September 1, 2014
Shortly after moving to the Spokane Valley a year ago, Ken Carpenter, a retired pastor, visited the Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store. Noting the...
The Gospel Changes Things (and People)
Merrily Roe, former staff writer : April 20, 2016
At UGM, we believe that the gospel has power to transform lives. Conformity to a set of rules alone doesn’t work. Real change happens from the inside...
The Incarnation: Our Salvation
Union Gospel Mission : December 18, 2015
By Sonny Westbrook, UGM Ministries Director We have come to the season of the year when many people, in some way or another, acknowledge the birth of...