- The largest WEST COAST TRAINING CONFERENCE in history was held in Santa
Rosa, CA with REDWOOD GOSPEL
MISSION as host. Five seminar tracks were
presented with five seminars in each track. Those attending all five were
presented a certificate. Over 250 took part in the conference held at Community
Baptist Church in Santa Rosa. Jim Palmer is the chairman of the WCTC, and
Jeff Gilman, Executive Director of the Redwood Gospel Mission, was host.
- Everyone involved in ministry to women and/or families is invited to
participate in the 1997 Mid-year Conference of WAFT, the Women and Family
Ministry Track. The three day conference will be February 5-7, 1997 in
Kansas City at the Gospel Missionary Union Conference Center. Cost for
the conference including three nights lodging, registration, all meals
and airport service, is $140 for members, $150 for non-members. Executive
directors are urged to accompany their family ministry staff. Seminars
for both directors and staff will run concurrently. For more information,
contact Lorraine Minor, Fax 816/231-7597, or call the IUGM office.
- The following was a letter to the Editor published in U.S. News and
World Report, September 30, 1996 by Jeremy Reynalds, Executive Director,
JOY JUNCTION,
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Yes, faith-based ministries are the answer to all of America's social
ills. However, faith-based programs will only be able to cope with the
increased demand placed upon us if American's community of faith and others
get involved. While many of us scream loudly about government waste and
bureaucratic bungling, we must realize that the government only got involved
with social services as the evangelical church community retreated. It's
obvious that while the new Republican-controlled Congress has shown its
willingness to slash big government, someone must be willing to pick up
the slack. The success of this new initiative will depend on how many "someones"
come forward.
Why not write a letter to the editor of your favorite magazine or newspaper
relating to the welfare changes or other current issues that relate to
rescue ministries. Send us a copy of any letter you write and any published
material.
- We have worked out a special arrangement with Christian Family Video
that allows IUGM member rescue missions to purchase some excellent videos
at a wholesale price. Some of the videos available are: Hunger for Healing
- a 12 session exploration of the Twelve Steps as a model for Christian
growth, with Keith Miller. This series features many testimonies, including
some from people who were formerly homeless; Happiness is a Choice
- a series on depression by Dr. Frank Minirth and Dr. Paul Meier; Inside
Out with Dr. Larry Crabb - a series which focuses on how to experience
real life change by learning what it takes to live with deeper honesty,
humility, and freedom; Loving & Lasting Relationships with Gary
Smalley & John Trent - This series discusses improving relationships
between couples by offering insights into personality blending, improved
communication, the role of forgiveness and conveying unconditional love;
Bringing Up Kids Without Tearing Them Down with Dr. Kevin Lehman
All of the above video series normally sell for $149.95 and can be purchased
by IUGM member missions for just $85.00!
The video tapes in the Minirth-Meier Home Counseling Video Library normally
selling for $19.95 are available to IUGM member missions for $11.97. Some
of the titles included are: The Guilt Factor; Building a Healthy Self-Concept;
Memories; Five Principles for Christian Success; Eating Disorders; Knowing
God's Will.
For more information call Christian Family Video at 800/231-0095. Ask
for Donna and be sure to mention that you are calling from an "IUGM
Member Rescue Mission".
- Officer after serving for nearly forty years on the board of the SAN
DIEGO RESCUE MISSION (25 as President), as well as serving as CEO. He was
one of the founders of the San Diego Rescue Mission and as a contractor
he has been responsible for building the new mission facilities and the
Rachel Grosvenor Home for Women and Children. Dave, as President Emeritus
will continue to work with Bill Brunk, new Chief Executive Officer. Bill
comes to the mission after an extensive career in development with a number
of colleges and seminaries, including Asbury Theological Seminary, Oral
Roberts University, Point Loma Nazarene College, and Western Evangelical
Seminary
- *Dreams of a new building have become a reality for NEW HOPE CENTER,
Minneapolis, MN. Gary Inselman, the Executive Director, shares the following
about the new facilities:
It is a beautiful facility in nearly move-in condition. We simply
need to remove a few walls and add on to accommodate a large classroom
and space to hold the Fellowship Breakfasts. The building is a two-story,
horseshoe shaped structure with a grassy, tree-shaded courtyard. Behind,
is a large parking lot for 50 cars. There is an additional small parking
lot and fenced-in garden beside the building. The former owners have been
most helpful and even left us some much needed furniture (wardrobes, mattresses,
chest of drawers, chairs).
The New Hope Center is a Christ Centered Rehabilitation Program
- *Ground breaking has happened for the new Youth and Family Life Center
of the DYERSBURG-DYER COUNTY (TN) UNION MISSION. Jerry Edmundson, Executive
Director shares, "We look forward to the day when the new facility
and the new ministries it will house will make a difference in the lives
of kids and families."
- It's finished, dedicated and in full use. That is, the new Ogden Hall
at the UNION GOSPEL MISSION, Spokane, WA. First, there was the building
of the new facility attached to the original women's shelter, and then
the total renovation of the old facilities. This project began in 1991
with the kickoff of a $2 million fund drive. The Children's Center was
opened in 1995 in a home adjacent to Ogden Hall. Also, in 1995, the Superior
Court upheld the City Council's decision to allow the expansion, and now
it has happened. Still to come is the equipping of a computer lab and classroom,
and decorating and furnishing some of the new rooms.
- Bouncing For Bucks was the theme of a 36-hour trampoline jump-a-thon
staged by Signa Phi Epsilon for the GRAND FORKS (ND) MISSION. 60 members
of the fraternity "bounced" for 36 hours in a parking lot to
raise money to spruce up the mission building. Nelson Rumore, Executive
Director, said that it got the campaign "off to a bouncing start,"
and he'd like the whole community to "jump in." The money raised
will buy awnings for the front door and windows of the mission which will
protect from snow and ice, as well as improve the appearance.
- GOODWILL HOME AND MISSION, Newark, NJ is PRAISING THE LORD over a recent
court victory where they were charged with religious descrimination. A
muslim had taken them to court, due to the Christian teachings in the Discipleship
Program. The judge ruled the mission exempt from the Laws of Discrimination,
and that the Discipleship Program is not a public accommodation, and that
the mission as a religious institution and a bona-fide religious educational
facility maintains the right to determine who is eligible to participate.
The mission was willing to accept the client into the program, but the
client was offended by the religious nature and thus sued. The palintiff
does have the right to appeal, but at this point, the mission has won the
case. Lee and Kathy Schmookler thank those who stood with them in prayer.
EXPANSION
- THE SPRINGS GOSPEL MISSION, Colorado Springs, CO now has an office
and is offering a Bible study program and doing drug and alcohol counseling.
They hope soon to have a larger facility where they can do feeding, clothing,
and services. Paul Vyzourek is the Executive Director of this new ministry.
Put them on your mission's mailing list. Their address is 25 N. Spruce
#309-C, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
- UNION GOSPEL MISSION, Olympia, WA has opened its first unit: a transitional
housing facility for families moving from emergency shelter. The facility
is a former apartment complex in Tumwater, WA just a few miles from Olympia.
Ralph Vreugdenhil is the Executive Director of this new ministry.
- The OLD DEPOT MISSION, Norfolk, NE is so far without the Old Depot
that they had planned to open the new mission in, due to a "tied up"
real estate transaction. They are now looking for an alternate site, but
still praying. 60+ gathered in the depot lot to pray, including pastors
from many churches and city officials. Pray for Tom Beatty and this new
mission, and add them to your mailing list. Their address is Box 2532,
Norfolk, NE 68702.
PROGRAM POT POURRI
- The SAN DIEGO (CA) RESCUE MISSION'S Culinary Arts Program has added
a new component--catering. Ten program members from the Rachel Grosvenor
Home for Women and Children are participating in this newest training,
learning all aspects of food service, from prep to presentation. The program
also brings in approximately $10,000 monthly to the mission. The mission
is responsible for preparing meals for the Cornell Corrections work furlough
program (for 50). Other catering jobs and the mission's in-house banquet
needs are also taken care of by the catering department. For more information
about this program, contact Stephanie Paine, Director of Food Services
at 619/687-3720 ext. 33.
