Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (UGMTC) opened its doors more than 120 years ago to feed, shelter, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with St. Paul dock workers, laborers, and lumberjacks. Through the years, our programming evolved to meet the changing needs of men, women, and children experiencing homelessness. Our emergency shelter provides guests with food, shelter, and vital care—including mental health services. Once food security and safe shelter issues are met, our staff walk alongside residents for up to two years, providing Bible study, professional counseling, group therapy, education, mentorship, job skills training, early childhood education, addiction recovery, and financial literacy instruction needed to thrive and live successfully in the community.
Pastor Jeff has reached out to my family from the very beginning. We are still rather new to the church, a young family with 3 littles. Going to church regularly is not easy and often we need to choose which one of us gets to go. Jeff has encouraged us and acknowledged our struggle when he didn’t need to. He leads the church and his sermons with the mentality of “Jesus above everything.” This seems like something most churches should follow, but is less commonly found in practice. The emotion he emits during sermons is palpable and genuine. “Bless the gift and bless the giver.” I feel like he blesses the church and he deserves to be blessed in return.