A Heart for the Homeless

Rich Schaus has completed 13 years of ministry at the Union Gospel Mission. He served approximately 5 years at Anna Ogden Hall before being appointed the Director of the Crisis Shelter for Women and Children when it opened in January of 2007.

Rich has so many commendable traits. He is a devoted follower of Christ. No one who knows him could question that he has a passion to reach the poor and homeless with the love and power of the Gospel. He completed his college degree through the Rescue College of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, and it propelled him to continue to develop the ministries at the Crisis Shelter.

Rich has also been a great team player across all the departments of UGM. He sees the big picture and is willing to make every part stronger. He is going to be greatly missed by us all.

His experiences and trainings and devotions have uniquely prepared him for a new assignment as the Executive Director of the Rescue Mission in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He is ready to oversee and provide the leadership needed for the growth and development of that mission. All our prayers and love are with him and his family as they take on this ministry assignment.

-Sonny Westbrook, UGM Ministries Director

What did you do before coming to UGM?

I was in the Army stationed in Germany. In 2001 I decided to leave the Army to pursue ministry. At the time I thought that meant church work. 

Why did you decide to work at UGM?

Initially, I came thinking this was a short-term gig until I got the opportunity to do “real ministry.” I honestly didn’t think that I would stick around the shelter for more than 6 months before I would get a job as a pastor and could move on. Interestingly, I did get a job as a pastor, but for multiple reasons, I could not let go of being at Anna Ogden Hall. Ultimately, I preferred hanging out with the homeless more than church folks.

Why has there been such an increase of homelessness among women and children in recent years?

I believe there are two reasons. First, the traditional family is being attacked and many families have fallen apart. Secondly, our modern culture is excuse driven. People will say, “It’s my parent’s fault that I failed,” or “the schools didn’t understand me.” Overcoming difficulties is not built into our women and children.

What do you see as the greatest need for the women and children coming to the Crisis Shelter?

To be told that they can accomplish and do great things and they are women and children of great value. Also, to be led to understand that Christ designed them for a purpose and wants them to thrive.

How have you changed/grown since starting at UGM?

Wow, I wouldn’t even recognize myself. I have learned to trust God, to love people who hate me. I have come to believe that a man of God can be judged by how his enemies look at him. I worked with a woman who is a proud pagan. She hated all things Christian, but she respects and loves what I do at the shelter.  We can work together and I can share my faith with her in a loving, caring way. The old me would have avoided her and, possibly, have offended her regularly.

I am also more likely to think before I speak.

Tell us about one of your most moving experiences at the Crisis Shelter.

Just one? We had a woman who was being exited from the shelter who decided that she was going to take me down on her way out. Her aunt put hand marks on her arm, and she reported to the police that I had grabbed her and was hitting her. 

There was another guest who I had exited many times over the years, not only at the shelter but also, Anna Ogden Hall. The police interviewed this woman as a witness to the aunt leaving the marks. Even though I had exited her many times, she knew that I cared about her and her future. She defended me, as did multiple other guests. Being defended by the people that I came to protect and defend, touched me deeply.