News of IUGM & It's Member Missions
June/July 1998

 

 

Convention 1998  Report

We have returned from the 85th Convention, and we are now in the "put away" mode and starting to plan for next year. A hearty THANKS goes to all who helped make this convention possible. A SPECIAL SALUTE to Tom and Janice Laymon and the whole fantastic team from MEAL TROTTER MINISTRIES. It was a RECORD CONVENTION with 664 full and part-time participants. In total, with children, exhibitors, the Mel Trotter Ministry family, we had between 900-1,000 participants. We had delegates from Capetown (South Africa) City Mission, Berlin (Germany) City Mission, Birmingham (England) City Mission, Mission Australia (Sydney and Perth), and the Christ Liveth Mission, Ndola, Zambia, as well as the United States and Canada

We will have a full review in the next RESCUE Magazine, so I will share only a few highlights:

Maurice Vanderberg touched our hearts by video, and he shared God's provision the last months of his life. That video is available for those wishing to hear this inspiring message for $15.00. Call the IUGM at 800-624-5156. We have only 15 copies left.

Dick Marshall's Bible Studies on God's Love and the practical application will be long remembered.

Provocative speakers on many vital subjects, and the best seminar offerings ever were highlights.

Roger Greenway's challenge on Friday night, calling rescue workers to "lead the way" in changing the church and community, and holding us to the Biblical mandates, was stirring. It is worth the price of the tape.

SONGS OF RESCUE PRAISE GATHERING, under the direction of Frank Jacobs, was an inspira- tional and an outstanding event. Hymns related to RESCUE were shared and sung by talented RESCUERS and the whole audience. Audio and video tapes are available. We have already sold almost 300 video and over 100 audio. Price for the video is $15.00 and $5.00 for the audio. Postage is additional, unless paid in advance by check or credit card. Shipping will be within 6-8 weeks after the convention, due to editing. Call Dru today at 800-624-5156, and as Frank Jacobs said, "order a cotton basket full."

A cold but "outstanding" concert by Damaris Carbaugh ended the convention on the shore of the Grand River, where it enters Lake Michigan. Only a hand-full of Minnesotans, South Dakotans, and two brave Indianians braved the cold to watch part of the musical fountain show.

Other actions of the convention were:

President Dick McMillen inducted the following to the IUGM Honor Roll:

  • A. Neal and Barbara Wilcox, Winston Salem, NC
  • Donald and Patricia Moody, Orlando, FL
  • Milton (Mickey) and Beverly Kalman, Bridgeport, CT
  • George Verley, St. Paul, MN 

PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS

President Dick McMillen honored two couples with Presidential Citations of Merit for serving as "IUGM Firemen", helping out missions that needed interim leadership and being "on call" when needed by the IUGM to go into the field and serve. They are Rev. and Mrs. Jack Martin, Cushing, OK; and Rev. and Mrs. Waymon Pritchard, Emerald Isle, NC. These retired executives are using their skills to help others. The CENTRAL UNION MISSION, Washington, DC also honored the Martins for stepping in twice to serve their mission.

GOOD SAMARITAN

President Dick McMillen presented Delores Burger a Good Samaritan sculpture by Scott Stearman in recognition for the book Women Who Changed the Heart of the City, which she wrote and donated to the IUGM, as well as the many other services she has rendered the IUGM as historian and counselor. Her book, now in second printing, has sold almost 9,000 copies (over 400 at the convention).

MAURICE VANDERBERG RESCUE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Board of Trustees created a Maurice Vanderberg Rescue College Scholarship Fund in memory and in honor of Maurice Vanderberg. Maurice served for years as the Dean of the original Leadership Training Program, providing materials for our Rescue College curriculum. He served as Dean of our New Executive Workshop and as a Consultant for our Certification Program. He was keenly interested in education, training, discipleship, and aiding missions to upgrade and improve their programs and facilities, as well as individual growth.

On Wednesday night, those attending the Convention were given opportunity to respond. The Board of Trustees members committed $4,000 and the Plains and Mountains District (Maurice's home District) committed $9,000. Before the night was over, $20,000 was pledged or donated to this scholarship fund. The money will be set aside, and the interest will be used yearly for scholarships for those taking courses at Rescue College. Those wishing to give to this fund, should send their donation to the IUGM, 1045 Swift, N. Kansas City, MO 64116. Be sure you designate it to the Maurice Vanderberg Scholarship Fund.

DISTRICT BOUNDARY CHANGES

The Convention, in their annual meeting, approved the District Boundaries Task Force's report, making historic changes in the district boundaries of the IUGM. The new district boundaries will come into effect at the Spokane Convention, May 22-26, in Spokane, WA. The IUGM Staff, working with the District Presidents, will develop a plan for implementation, which will be proposed to the Board of Trustees at the November meeting.

The New Districts are as follows: (District and Regional names are tentative)

West Region - 71 U.S. Missions, 5 Canadian

North Pacific (WA -10; OR - 10; ID - 1; MT - 2; AK - 2) 25
plus BC - 4 and AB - 1 (Canada) 5
Pacific (CA - 29; NV - 2; HI - 1) 32
Mountains (AZ - 4; NM - 3; UT - 1; CO - 3; WY - 3) 14

Central Region - 75 U.S. Missions, 2 Canadian

North Central (MN - 4; ND - 2; SD - 2; NE - 3; IA - 3; MO - 8; KS - 3) 26
plus MB - 2 (Canada) 2
South Central (OK - 2; TX - 11; LA - 2; AR - 2) 17
Midwest (WI - 1; IL - 10; IN - 12; MI - 9) 32

East Region - 41 U.S. Missions, 3 Canadian

Mideast (OH - 5; PA - 12; MD - 4; DC - 2; DE - 1) 24
Northeast (NY - 10; NJ - 3; CT - 1; MA - 2; ME - 1) 17
plus ON - 2; QB - 1 (Canada) 3

Southern Region - 48 U.S. Missions

Midsouth (WV - 5; VA - 1; NC - 7; TN - 6; KY - 2) 21
South (SC - 5; GA - 4; AL - 8; FL - 10) 27 

ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Approval of the 1998-99 Budget, which includes $35,000 for computer upgrades and equipment, and funds for 20 hours additional staffing weekly.

Approval of the District Boundaries Task Force Report.

Approval of the yearly reports of the Executive Director and President (for those not attending, these reports are available by calling the IUGM).

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

The Board of Trustees appointed Rick Alvis, President, WHEELER MISSION MINISTRIES, Indianapolis, IN, to fill the unexpired term of Maurice Vanderberg (Class of '99); and James VarnHagen, Executive Director of the NEW YORK CITY RESCUE MISSION, to fulfill the remaining year of the term of Lee Schmookler, who resigned from the Board of Trustees.

CONVENTIONS AHEAD

The IUGM will be going to Phoenix for its 2001 Convention. The dates are May 26-30, 2001. The place is the Paradise Valley DoubleTree Resort, Scotsdale, AZ. The host will be the PHOENIX RESCUE MISSION, Don Johnson, President.

The 1999 Convention will be at Spokane, WA. The place is the DoubleTree Hotel and the Spokane Convention Center. The dates are May 22-26, 1999, and the host is the UNION GOSPEL MISSION of Spokane, Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director.

The 2000 Convention will be in Orlando, FL. The dates are May 27-31. The place is the Hyatt Regency Airport. The host is the ORLANDO UNION MISSION, Don Moody, Executive Director.

General Happenings

CMWA CONFERENCE DATE CHANGED

The year 2000 Triennial Conference of the City Mission World Association (CMWA), which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, has changed dates. The new dates are October 7 - 11, 2000. The material given out at Grand Rapids had a November date. Be sure you list the right date if this is of interest to you.

BILL WOULD EXPAND CHARITABLE CHOICE PROVISION

Senator John Ashcroft (R-MO) has introduced the "Charitable Choice Expansion Act" which would allow federal, state and local governments to use charitable and faith-based organizations to provide services to the poor and needy with federal dollars. This legislation expands the concept of the original charitable choice provision in the welfare law to cover most federally-funded social services. Summaries of the bill are available through the IUGM office. The following organizations are supporting the concept: Agudath Israel of America; American Center for Law and Justice; Association of Christian Schools International; Call to Renewal; Center for Public Justice; Christian Coalition; Christian Legal Society; Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education; Faithworks Int'l.; National Association of Evangelicals; National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise; Payne Memorial Outreach, Inc.; Salvation Army; Samaritan Project; Teen Challenge International USA; and World Vision. Let your Senator and Member of Congress know how you feel about this legislation.

JACOBS' LETTER PRINTED IN WASHINGTON POST

"When Government Promotes Gambling", a letter to the editor of the Washington Post by Frank Jacobs, Executive Director, MIAMI (FL) RESCUE MISSION, appeared on Saturday, May 30. The statement by Frank was in response to a Washington Post article, "Lotteries Lure Payers With Slick Marketing." He shared his first hand experience, as well as the IUGM study, and warned of the increased number of gambling "losers" who will be coming to missions and homeless shelters. For the letter, call us. This is another part of our Public Awareness Campaign.

NORTH PACIFIC DISTRICT ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT

The North Pacific District has elected Herb Pfiffner, Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission, Seattle, WA., their new District President, succeeding Tom Zobel. Other officers are: Tom Culp (Roseburg, OR), Vice President; and Gary Rowell (Aberdeen, WA), Secretary; and Rick Phillips (Yakima, WA), Treasurer.

AMERICAN'S GAVE MORE

American's gave 7.5% more to charity last year, with gifts totaling $143.5 billion, according to Giving USA. Gifts to religion were up 6.1% and were the largest share of the donations (47%). Social service giving rose 4.1%, with the Salvation Army reporting an increase of 4%. The average American gave 1.6% to charity. Individual giving was up 6.8% and was 76.2 % of all 1997 contributions. Foundation giving was up 11.4%, which reflects the strong economy. Company giving was up 7.5%, which is 1.1% of corporations' pre-tax income, a rate that has dropped continually from a high of 2.3% in 1986.

FATHERS DAY SURVEY

GALESBURG (IL) RESCUE MISSION Director Dave Scholl did an informal survey with the men in his mission relating to Father's Day. He interviewed 21 men:

20 of the 21 knew their biological father
15 were raised by their father, 6 were not
5 were raised by their mother only (20%)
9 said their fathers were alcoholics (43%)
3 said their fathers were drug addicted (14%)
8 said their fathers were physically abusive (38%)
5 shared that their fathers had been in prison (24%)
6 reported that their fathers had taken them to church (29%)
16 wished their fathers had taught them more moral and spiritual values (76%)

That tells a story. Most of our men have had little or poor fathering. Mentors and strong male relationships become very important.

WE HAVE A DISTRICT AND TRACK COORDINATOR!

Gary L. Meek has been called as the new District and Track Coordinator and will begin work on September 1. His first responsibility will be to facilitate the forming of new districts. Gary now serves as Family Shelter Administrator for City Union Mission, Kansas City, MO, where he has been on the staff since 1992. He is a graduate of Mid America Nazarene University with a BA in Management and Human Relations. He formerly served as a project manager with JcAir.

Steve Burger

 

Happenings . . .Our Missions

AREA RESCUE MISSION, Florence, SC, has changed its name to NEW LIFE RESCUE MINISTRIES, and has a new address (Box 7129, Florence, SC 29502) and a new interim director. Ed Hancock, a board member, has been serving as interim since April. Bill Valentine left to pursue other ministry interests.

UNION GOSPEL MISSION, Seattle, WA, has purchased a former retirement center near SeaTac Airport, south of Seattle, to open an additional men's program facility.

GRANTS PASS (OR) GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION reports that they are raising $500,000 to purchase a facility which will allow them to have all rescue mission programs on one property. They covet our prayers.

Under the leadership of Chair Ann Craft and Co-Chairs Bob & Gay Beamon, Mark Leyerle and Scott Uptegraph, the OPEN DOOR MISSION of Houston, TX, raised over $237,000 at its "Evening with Congressman Bill Archer" fundraising dinner attended by 268 guests, funded by 104 donors and producing a net of some $207,000 for Mission operational and building needs. Congressman Archer has been an honorary board member since 1985, when he was recruited by founding President Alan Craft, a top fundraiser for this event.

CROSSROADS MISSION, Yuma, AZ, has embarked on a long-range plan to purchase their family shelter property: develop the site and design and construct a homeless facility at the cost of $2,350,500. "The plan will allow us to remodel the current main building into an adult recovery facility which will accommodate 100 men and 50 women," stated Mike Elg, Director.

UNION GOSPEL MISSION, Sioux Falls, SD, has launched a $1 million Capital Appeal to renovate the former Grant Warehouse. This is the first of a three phase Master Plan which will replace the building burned down on September 12, 1995. This facility will offer housing, dining, worship area.

EXPANSION - New Missions

MOUNT GRACE, Dobson, LA, dedicated its Mount Grace Campus for Men on June 20, 1998. Mount Grace is averaging 20 men daily in its drug and alcohol recovery program. Dr. Bill Barton, founder of the HOME OF GRACE, Vancleave, MS, was the keynote speaker. His son, Mike is the Executive Director.

Bill Parham reports that the City of Albany, OR, has welcomed the new ALBANY RESCUE MISSION with open arms, with support from members of the city council and the Chamber of Commerce. He and Sharon are excited about this new opportunity.