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LIFE
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Inside stories of hope,
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Jim and Ken

5 min read

How the Gospel Brings Us Home

Guest post by UGM Aftercare Coordinator Dennis Roach A mythical story contains elements of fantasy and reality, a blend that sometimes pushes us to a place of truthfulness about self, this world and God. One such story involves a turtle that woke up...

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4 min read

Easter at the Mission: Shelter Guests Bring the Gospel Home

This Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate Jesus’ miraculous resurrection. We will sing of our risen Savior, “He lives, He lives!” and...

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3 min read

The Love and Power of the Gospel

Guest post by UGM Staff Chaplain Sonny Westbrook, originally published March 15, 2016. The celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ...

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6 min read

The End of Striving: How the Gospel Brings Rest to the Weary

Since its foundation, Union Gospel Mission has existed to offer rest and nourishment to people coming in off the streets. A hot meal, a warm shower,...

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Ruschell

4 min read

Joy in the Darkness: How God Pursued Ruschell

“I came here looking to get out of the desperation and the shame and the pit that I was in.” For 46 years, Ruschell battled the abuse, addiction and...

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4 min read

Loved by a Good God

We are all so broken. Sin breaks us, not just our relationship with God, but our relationships with each other and with ourselves. Sin even fights...

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2 min read

The Ultimate Work

If you’ve been reading this column over the years, you know I think “work” is one of the best four-letter words around.

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2 min read

Feeding Hungry Souls

Meet Nick Damascus and Pastor Eric Blauer, UGM chapel providers who offer the love and healing of Jesus to wounded souls.

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6 min read

The Great Pain Escape

Pain: physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury. No healthy person enjoys pain. Its whole purpose is to signal that something is...

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4 min read

Labels and Life Change: A Business Partner Feature

Art and Kaleen Coffey are members of the community who have made the most of their position as leaders in business and faith. Through their...

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4 min read

Connect and Be Changed

Guest post by Lynn Yount, former UGM writer. Melissa Ashline has a lot of irons in the fire. She’s a nanny and a businesswoman and a mother of...

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5 min read

The Best Sermon I Ever Preached: One Homeless Man's Impact on a Local Pastor

Guest post by pastor Eric Blauer of Jacob's Well Church. My name is Eric Blauer and I met a man named James at Union Gospel Mission.

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5 min read

Deep Trauma, Deeper Healing

Underneath homelessness, we often find addiction and, underneath addiction, trauma. Trauma invades, wounds, hides and resurfaces, wreaking havoc...

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Pepper

2 min read

The Heart of Stewardship: A UGM Partner Feature

Don "Pepper" and Midge Smock of Coeur d’Alene are humble leaders in the community, encouraging generosity out of their desire to see the gospel go...

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Kathy

4 min read

An Unexpected Friendship: A UGM Volunteer Feature

Many of us might think we have nothing in common with a drug addict, or that we have little or nothing to offer someone who has lived a life...

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21 ways

1 min read

21 Ways You Made Real Change Possible in 2021

1. You opened doors to gospel conversations which resulted in 35 baptisms, including Christina's.

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1 min read

The Miracle of Selfless Giving

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own...

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giving

1 min read

It’s a Together Thing

John and Vonnie Tucker have a 61-year legacy of working together to build a strong marriage centered on following God’s call to love their neighbors...

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Clinton

3 min read

Empathy and Accountability: A Probation Officer’s Unique Partnership with UGM

Picture a man with a badge and a gun chaperoning women at a recovery center Valentine’s Day gala. Now, picture him in tears as he presents handmade...

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3 min read

It’s Always Somebody’s Family Member: An Impact Partner Feature

Matt and Nicole Hendrickson are Impact Partners (UGM monthly giving program) who’ve been quietly investing in the lives of homeless men and women for...

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4 min read

Writer’s Column: A Christmas Reflection

The Mission at Christmastime: brimming with hope, cozy and warm, piled with gifts. This is not what I expected. I came to Union Gospel Mission in May...

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4 min read

What Mary Knew

Christmas turns our thoughts to family, whether it’s kids getting into the “magic of the season” or the contemplation of a special baby laid in a...

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6 min read

Facing the Nightmare of Childhood Trauma and Building a New Life: Krystal’s Story

In an essay entitled “Family Breakdown: Restoring a Damaged Masterpiece,” UGM Chaplain Sonny Westbrook describes what happens when God’s design for...

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5 min read

Young Fatherhood, Pain and Recovery: Eric’s Story

Eric Blackman was trying to live the party life. Alcohol, drugs and carefree days shaped his mid-twenties through early-thirties.

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4 min read

The Drug Crisis: What’s it got to do with you and me?

Opioids. Meth. Marijuana. Cocaine. Cartels. Addiction. Synthetics. Big money. Big pharma. Overdoses.

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