Learn about how since 1962 the Union Gospel Mission has provided food, clothing, shelter, and a life-changing Gospel message to the homeless and the poor of Sacramento.
Our History
In 1962 a group of concerned Christian men came together to address a growing problem: the plight of Sacramento’s many homeless men and women. These founders wanted to feed the hungry, provide clean clothing and shelter, and give every person with a willing ear a chance to hear the word of God. To accomplish this, they established the Union Gospel Mission.
For over 60 years, the Union Gospel Mission has supplied food, shelter, clothes, and a life-changing Gospel message to the homeless.
The Union Gospel Mission Sacramento is a local mission in the heart of California’s capital. We are a Union of Christians from various backgrounds and churches who have come together to get the gospel of Jesus Christ to the population we serve. We are also Union because we have various churches and groups serving the Mission. The churches and groups all agree on essential matters about the gospel and the Christian faith to have one voice for our population. Over the years, we have been blessed by committed volunteers, inspired leadership, and the support of many in our community.
We are gospel-centered, gospel-focused, and gospel-motivated. Christ, through us, meets the needs of the people we are privileged to serve. We love them because he first loved us.
We are on a Mission. We are an extension of the church to the world in obedience to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20), the Great Commandment (Mark 12:29-30), and the Great Confession (Matt. 16:15-16). Our primary goal is to preach the gospel of Jesus, disciple those called, and send them back into society and a local church for ongoing service and care. Our secondary goal is to care for the needs of the population we serve by feeding the hungry, clothing, housing, and serving the people around our Mission through various acts of compassion, mercy, and charity.
Along with providing a 10-month intensive in-house drug and alcohol New Life Program for men, the Mission distributes clothing, toiletries, and food boxes annually to seniors, women, and children. In addition to the thousands of meals served at UGM every month, the Mission is active in the community, supplying more than 440 food boxes to families unable to feed their children adequately and giving away 300 holiday food boxes with all the trimmings.
Every person who knocks at our door has a story. We take the time to listen, comfort, give advice, and counsel through the hope and saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Some of these wanderers have lost their way and genuinely seek a second chance. We believe this is the house of new beginnings, where our most desperate neighbors can find refuge.
In its early days, the Union Gospel Mission served primarily as a refuge for the homeless, offering hot meals to those in need. Operating from a modest facility at 906 2nd Street in Downtown Sacramento, the Mission functioned as a soup kitchen, providing food, warm clothing, and a simple yet powerful gospel message every night of the year.
With just one staff member, Rev. Klausen ran the Mission with the dedicated support of volunteers from local churches. In 1965, the Mission relocated to the corner of North B and Bannon Street, settling into the historic Peniel Mission building, where it remained until 1980.
Feeding the homeless was a good start, but the Rev. Ed Carnell believed that long-term help and rehabilitation could truly impact lives. Under his leadership, the Mission began to evolve into more than just a soup kitchen. In 1967, a community effort of caring volunteers helped make the current building at 400 Bannon Street possible. This building is still used in the same capacity as it was then.
With its expanded facilities, the Mission was able to offer overnight shelter to homeless men and launch its first drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. With space to accommodate over 80 men each night, along with counseling and recovery programs, the Mission began making a meaningful impact—transforming lives and serving the broader community.
By the 1970s, the Mission's staff had grown to eight members, and in 1979, a separate facility called Grace Haven was established to provide housing and ministry for women. Unfortunately, operating two separate sites proved too demanding for our limited financial and human resources, and in 1980, the women’s shelter was forced to close. However, Grace Haven continued to serve in various capacities, including offering temporary housing for women and families in need of short-term shelter. On a brighter note, by 1980, the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program had reached its full capacity of 24 men, solidifying its place as a vital and transformative part of the Mission’s ministry.
The 1980s saw both highs and lows as the Mission struggled with funding. By the end of the decade, churches were more and more involved in the life of the Mission, and a different church became responsible for the evening services every night of the month. Under the leadership of Rev. Don Kirk, the Mission was revitalized with new ideas and programs during the ‘90s. The donor base grew substantially, programs reached to capacity, and the staff was increased to meet the needs of more and more men and women.
In 1998, the Mission acquired the 40-acre Eagle’s Nest Ranch, a unique facility designed to bridge the gap in the rehabilitation program by offering graduates a supportive environment to transition back into society. After retiring as the Mission’s Director in 2002, Don Kirk took on the role of Ranch Manager, dedicating himself to its mission until his passing in 2005.
By 2002, the Mission had outgrown its space, facing an overwhelming demand for services. With an increasing number of homeless women seeking help each day, it became clear that more needed to be done to meet their growing needs.
Rev. Kirk led a fundraising campaign in 2003 and 2004 to construct a new building that would complement the existing facility. This much-needed expansion significantly enhanced our ability to serve both men and women, providing vital support for the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and strengthening our Mission’s impact.
Director & Pastor Tim Lane - 2005 to 2024
In 2006, the Mission transformed a 1,000-square-foot building into a much-needed Women’s Clothes Closet, providing essential clothing and resources for homeless and low-income women. Each week, dedicated volunteers from local churches assist dozens of women, meeting a variety of needs. Adjacent to the Clothes Closet, a salon was established where volunteers offer free haircuts and styling for men. Additionally, new educational programs were introduced to further support men on their path to stability and recovery.
We are thankful for all we have accomplished, yet so much remains to be done. We hope that you will be able to be a part of our ongoing mission.
New Frontiers
The year began with a heartfelt farewell to Pastor Tim Lane as our Executive Director after 19 faithful years of service. We are thrilled to announce that Pastor Robert Briggs has joined Union Gospel Mission Sacramento as our new Executive Director! We are confident that God will use him mightily to further His kingdom through the work of the Mission. Welcome to the UGM family, Pastor Briggs.
As of April 1st, we will have begun renovations on our Dining Room, following by our Chapel. Since 1962, we have used that space to faithfully serve those in our community with nourishing meals and the hope of the Gospel. We are so excited to update this portion of our campus so that we can better serve those the Lord brings through our gates.
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