News of the International
Union of Gospel Missions
May/June 1997
The Water is Gone - Now the Work
Begins in Grand Forks, ND
The GRAND FORKS (ND) MISSION and its staff and board were all hit hard
by the recent flooding of the Red River. The mission and the mission annex
both had water damage, and as of this date, still have no electricity or
water. The mission, which is a former church, had the basement (kitchen,
and dining room) full of water and water on the first floor (thrift store).
In the mission annex the basement was filled with water (dorms). All items
in flooded areas including freezers, stoves, etc. are ruined. "You
could not believe the power of the current," states Nelson Rumore,
Executive Director. "People had telephone poles in their yards."
The mission staff was hit hard with at least four members having badly
damaged or have lost their homes. Nelson thinks that at least 60% of the
board have been affected with housing loss. He still hasn't located all
staff and board. No gas and only limited electricity (you can plug up to
four cords into a plug in your back yard). It snowed last night in Grand
Forks (May 14) to add to the problem. Nelson said he and his wife are wearing
winter clothing and coats. They are staying with friends at night.
We have been contacting our mission by FAX and E Mail, and have given
three reports. We now can do this automatically, which really helps when
you have an emergency. If you are a member mission and have a FAX number
that we don't have, please let us know. Same goes for E Mail.
The Grand Forks Mission needs the following immediately:
- Prayer for courage and strength, as board, staff, and mission buildings
are without power, water, sewer, gas, etc. Water and mud have destroyed
everything which was in the basement and first floor of most facilities
and homes.
- Campers and RV's (four needed) for staff to live in while repairs are
being done to their homes. They must have toilets. They need to be taken
to Grand Forks.
- Work Crews to help clean up are urgently needed.
- Equipment needs include: walk-in freezers, refrigerators, furnaces,
kitchen equipment, washers, dryers, beds, mattresses, etc.
- Funds for both the mission and the mission's staff to begin the rebuilding
process (one of the mission's buildings was covered by flood insurance,
the main mission was not).
The city needs the mission open to meet the needs when temporary emergency
shelters close. They have over 100 beds. If you can help, call Nelson Rumore.
The mission's phone is 701/772-6609. Nelson's cellular phone is 218/779-7561.
His home phone is 218/773-7947, and the home he is spending nights at is
218/773-6709. BE SURE TO CALL HIM BEFORE YOU SEND ANYTHING TO GRAND FORKS.
You may send donations to the IUGM designated for the Grand Forks Mission.
If you want any of the funds to be used for staff, you must designate that.
84th Annual
IUGM Convention Report
It's box unpacking time at the IUGM, as we go through all the materials
we have brought home from the LA Convention. It was the biggest convention
in modern history, with over 650 delegates and a total of nearly 900 people.
We had the largest number of exhibitors with 56 spaces taken, and we sold
over $16,000 worth of books and merchandise in the IUGM Store.
Mike Edwards, President of the LOS ANGELES MISSION, stepped in for John
Perkins (who had surgery for prostate cancer shortly before the convention)
and did a fine job. We have had many good comments on speakers and seminars,
as well as the closing concert by the Haven of Rest Quartet. There will
be a full report in the next RESCUE Magazine.
Richard McMillen (President, Water Street Rescue Mission, Lancaster,
PA) was re-elected President and Malcolm Lee (Executive Director, Richmond
(CA) Rescue Mission) Vice President, with Lorraine Minor (Director of Family
Services, City Union Mission, Kansas City, MO) elected Secretary-Treasurer
of the IUGM. Lorraine became the first woman officer since 1949, when Clemme
Ellis White stepped down after about 30 years of service as IUGM Secretary
and a member of the Executive Committee. Ed Gray, Executive Director Emeritus,
Waterfront Rescue Mission, Pensacola, FL and Maurice McElrea, President,
Union Gospel Mission, Vancouver, BC were re-elected directors-at-large.
The IUGM honored three members by adding them to the HONOR ROLL. They
are Roger Phillips and Norma Phillips from Union Gospel Mission, Yakima,
WA; and Carl Resener from Nashville (TN) Union Mission. To be eligible
for the Honor Roll, you must be recommended by your district and have 30
years of Rescue Mission service and have given exemplary service to the
IUGM.
New Officers Elected
Rick Alvis, President, Wheeler Mission Ministries, Indianapolis, IN
completed his four-year term as Secretary-Treasurer. Darryl Brake, Chair
of the Youth Track also completed his term on the board. We appreciate
the fine service of Rick and Darryl and look forward to their continued
service to RESCUE.
The following are the 1997-98 Board of Trustees of the IUGM and their
term of office:
Officers Term of Office
- Richard McMillen, Lancaster, PA, President
(99)
- Malcolm Lee, Richmond, CA, Vice President (99)
- Lorraine Minor, Kansas City, MO, Secretary-Treasurer (99)
- District Presidents Council Representatives
- Lee Schmookler, Newark, NJ (99)
- Gifford Claiborne, Los Angeles, CA (99)
- Del Maxfield, Denver, CO (99)
- Tom Zobel, Salem, OR (01)
- Sharen Smith, Wichita Falls, TX (01)
- Don Moody, Orlando, FL (01)
Track Council Representatives
- Leo Gray, Pensacola, FL (01)
- Vacant (position held by Lorraine Minor) (99)
Members Elected at Large
- Maurice Vanderberg, Kansas City, MO (99)
- Jerry Trecek, Peoria, IL (99)
- Maurice McElrea, Vancouver, BC (01)
- Ed Gray, Pensacola, FL (01)
Members Elected by the Board (non-Rescue employees)
- Stanley Ratzlaff, Encino, CA
- Bob Robertson, Montara, CA
- Bob Slaughter, Birmingham, AL
Prayer Request
Vernon Bigelow, who recently resigned as Executive Director of PRISON
MISSION ASSOCIATION, Port Orchard, WA, has been diagnosed with cancer.
He has been told he has from six months to two years to live. His wife
Pat died of cancer last year. When Pat died, he was left with medical bills
of $15,000. With the help of IUGM members and other friends, he has reduced
that debt to $1,748.46. He needs additional help to pay off this medical
bill and get it taken care of. He also needs our help, as he continues
as PMA Northwest Chaplain. He asks for prayer that he may have the same
"dying faith" that his wife Pat had. So pray for Vern. Pray for
his healing, and that the Lord will meet him at his point of need. And
let's get the bill paid. Send your gift to Prison Mission Association,
for medical expenses of Pat and Vernon Bigelow, PO Box 1587, Port Orchard,
WA 98366-0140. Let's also flood his mailbox with our cards and notes. His
address is 11 NE Anchor Place, Belfair, WA 98528-9234.
CMWA Will
Meet In Helsinki
THE WORLD OF RESCUE is about to meet in Helsinki, Finland, August 14-19,
1997 as the third Triennial Conference
of the City Mission World Association (CMWA) convenes. Leaders from
Rescue ministries throughout the world will be there, and it is a wonderful
opportunity to fellowship, learn and be touched. The Berlin City Mission
is holding a Pre-Conference Jubilee, celebrating their 125th Anniversary
from August 11-13, and have invited those going to Helsinki to visit them
on the way. We have brochures on both at the IUGM office, and Toni Barber
Travel at 800/735-7118 has travel information. You must register direct,
so call us at 800/624-5156 for the material.
WCTU President Visits IUGM Office
Sarah F. Ward, President of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
visited IUGM Headquarters while in the Kansas City area. Many IUGMers have
been involved historically in the WCTU, and many WCTU members are involved
in Rescue Mission auxiliaries, boards, and volunteer functions. While touring
the office, the picture of Mabel Eberhardt in Delores' office immediately
brought us together. Mabel, who was a Rescue Mission legend (Wheeler Rescue
Ministries, Indianapolis, IN; Central Union Mission, Washington, DC) was
a leader in the WCTU movement. They will be holding their national convention
in Kansas City in August, and we hope to attend at least some of it.
Delores Burger's Book in Second
Printing
Women Who Changed the Heart
of the City, by Delores Burger, is now in its second printing,
thanks to the outstanding response from our mission family. Jerry Trecek
at PEORIA (IL) RESCUE MISSION sent one to each pastor's wife in Peoria,
and UNION GOSPEL MISSION, Spokane, WA gave one to every volunteer. They
also used the book during May as a Mother's Day gift to donors. A number
of missions have bought case lots, and this has really helped the sale.
All proceeds go to the IUGM. All of Delores' royalties go to Expansion.
Senator Ashcroft Seeks Support
for Bill S-514
Senator John Ashcroft has sent a letter asking support for the Liability
Reform for Volunteers Services Act (S-514) which he states, "will
help reinstate reason rationality, certainty and fairness to the civil
justice system in regard to volunteerism and service organizations."
The bill offers two primary protections. First, it establishes a uniform
standard for awarding punitive damages by requiring plaintiffs to establish
wrongful conduct by "clear and convincing evidence." Punitive
damage awards would be capped at the lesser of $250,000, or two times economic
and non-economic losses. Second, the bill eliminates joint and several
liability, holding organizations and volunteers liable for damages only
in direct proportion to their degree of fault.
Senator Ashcroft goes on to say: "It is my belief that Congress
should do everything possible to enable you and your organization to unleash
the cultural remedy which our society so desperately needs." If you
would like more information on this bill, or would like to share your comments
with Senator Ashcroft, call Lori Share at 202/224-6154. The summary of
the bill is available by calling the IUGM. Let your Senator and U.S. Representative
know how you feel about S-514.
News from Local Missions
- The BRIDGEPORT (CT) RESCUE MISSION has a new home. It is the Fanny
Crosby Facility which has been a home for the elderly. It has thirty-two
bedrooms, a commercial kitchen, dining room, common area, a staff apartment,
and a three bedroom house. The facility is fully equipped with furniture,
linens, curtains, etc. The mission also will be opening a building purchased
several years ago which will be a facility for a New Life program for prostitutes.
They hope to have that in full operation this spring.
- Construction has begun on the OGDEN (UT) RESCUE MISSION'S new facilities,
just north of the existing facilities. The new facilities will feature
the medical clinic, women and children's emergency shelter, men's shelter
and rehabilitation center. Construction cost is $2 million, and according
to Executive Director Howard Langston, one- third of the funds have been
donated. The project is titled, "Hands of Hope."
United States Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) has publicly commended the
OGDEN RESCUE MISSION for the operation of their medical clinic. He states:
He said, "I am proud to recognize the clinic's great example of volunteerism
and compassionate service." The rescue mission clinic has served over
15,000 homeless and needy people in its nine years of operation.
- The UNION GOSPEL MISSION, Sioux Falls, SD has announced "A BOLD
NEW PLAN FOR MINISTRY" after the fire that destroyed one of the main
mission facilities. The plan includes acquisition of adjoining property
and construction of a new multi-purpose facility, which will include a
new kitchen, dining room, youth activity center, chapel, and housing for
150 people. This will provide short term transient housing for men, women
and children, as well as a long-term residential rehabilitation program.
We look forward to hearing more, as this project becomes a reality.
- The CITY MISSION OF HUNTINGTON, WV has just opened its new PROJECT
HOPE Facilities that include a new transitional housing center for families
and a new facility for mentally ill men and women. They are working with
other community agencies as part of HUD's Continuum of Service, with other
agencies providing service right at the facilities.
- IT WAS A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY PARTY! Everyone sang Happy Birthday to
the PEOPLE'S CITY MISSION and raised over $25,000 for the work of the mission.
The party, sponsored by the People's City Mission Foundation, Lincoln,
NE was for 300 people each paying $90, and featured a musical look at the
last 90 years with the story of both the mission and the community built
in. Nine couples were featured, with each couple taking one ten year period,
dressed in that period. The only "odd ball" in the lot was IUGM
Executive Director Steve Burger, who was not allowed to sing, dance, or
even hum, but gave the inspirational message. Then all the "fun began."
Two former governors were present, as well as many community leaders. A
great evening was had by all.
- After seven years of struggling back and forth with the City Council
and Neighborhood Community Councils, the ANCHORAGE (AK) RESCUE MISSION
has been allowed to purchase and develop the property adjoining their present
location. The one acre piece will immediately allow for office space and
storage and eventually allow for the use of 15 apartments, now in rental
for transitional and staff housing. "We are praising God for making
this dream and vision become a reality," states Executive Director
Don Bettis.
- Mark Calhoun has been appointed President and CEO of the MEMPHIS (TN)
UNION MISSION. Mark joins the mission after numerous years of business
and management experience with Servicemaster, which is headquartered in
Memphis. He earned his Master of Divinity Degree from Reformed Theological
Seminary, Jackson, MS and has served pastorates in Mississippi and Memphis.
Clay Huddleston will continue with the mission working in business administration,
the Victory Valley Campground, and Calvary Colony, the long-term men's
program.
- Michael Teague has been named President of the UNION RESCUE MISSION,
Los Angeles, CA as well as Chief Operating Officer. Warren Currie, who
has been serving as President, will continue as Chief Executive Officer,
but will "devote the majority of [his] time to fund development and
donor relations." In making the announcement, Warren shared that Michael
is his successor when he retires in two years and that he will assume the
full operational responsibility of URM. The mission's budget is more than
$14 million annually.
- Rick Phillips has been named Executive Director of the UNION GOSPEL
MISSION, Yakima, WA succeeding his father Roger. Rick has been Assistant
Director for the past nine years.
From the May/June 1997 edition of HAPPENINGS, monthly newsletter
of the
International Union of Gospel Missions
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