UGM Staff Profiles

Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Tim moved to California with his family in 1959. He began his career in the heating and air conditioning trade, and in 1982 acquired TH Air Conditioning Inc., which he owned and operated for over 15 years.
Tim started as a monthly volunteer with his church group in 1994, preaching and ministering to the homeless.
In 1999, Tim felt the call of God in his life. Called in 2001 as the Pastor of Rioso Road Baptist Church in Sheridan, Tim is today an ordained Minister of the Gospel.
His weekly Radio Program, “Voices from the Street,” airs on KFIA 710 AM & 105.7 FM Sundays at 2 pm and Mondays at 3 pm. Listen to Pastor Tim and various guests talk about the happenings at the Mission. Prepare your heart for laughter and tears as they share the unpolished stories of the homeless and hurting, hope, and transformation in Christ. Follow the show and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

Like so many, he became addicted to alcohol and sought help from the Union Gospel Mission. Here he discovered people who not only helped him with his addiction, but also genuinely cared for him as a person.
After successfully completing the program, Steve decided to lend his own talents to the mission, and became a full time employee in 1986. A meticulous worker, Steve found his niche in the accounting department, and served as manager of donor records for 19 years.
His love for the homeless and wealth of experience has proven invaluable, and in March of 2005 Steve was promoted to the role of assistant manager of The Union Gospel Mission.
This expansive new role allows Steve to use his experience in every area of the mission, and inspires him to say, “I just love what I do.”

In 1994 he was called to Berean Christian Ministries in Rocklin, California. In the same year a new church, Last Day’s Harvest Ministries was founded, and Tom Mooney became their senior pastor, a position he holds to this day.
After serving as a volunteer at The Union Gospel Mission for 10 years, Tom was asked to join the staff in 2002 in the role of Chaplain. His many years in street ministries, and his musical talents give him a unique perspective and ability to relate to the men, and he has become one of the mission’s most popular teachers.

Having grown up in Larchmont, NY, she moved to Southern California in 1986 and landed in a career of real estate. She moved up to Sacramento in 1994 and continued her real estate profession with her husband, David. By 1998, they had their own real estate sales/mortgage company.
When the market crashed in 2008, it was a difficult time for the Trussells and closing their business. But, the Lord had plans for Eileen to change her vocation and eventually brought her to the Mission, which she is very grateful for and has given a new passion to her life.
Eileen accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1995. Along with the greatest gift of salvation, she and David are blessed with two lovely daughters, Jessica and Michelle.
Eileen is truly grateful for everything the Lord has done for her in her personal life and career, and knows He has big plans to use her at Union Gospel Mission.

Jeremy then spent about 4 years developing a struggling street ministry into a multi-home, working discipleship that made a noticeable dent in the homeless population in the community he was saved in. He launched a Christian non-profit, hoping to help men beyond the street ministry level and support them as they transitioned to a more independent and less supported environment.
In the last few years, Jeremy has been deeply blessed by his home Church, Doxa, located in Rocklin CA. He is a graduate of Doxa’s 2-year Pastoral Internship and has served in various counseling ministries since becoming a member. Encouraged by Church leadership to continue in his studies, Jeremy began to pursue his M.Div. in Biblical Counseling from SBTS in 2019 and is on track to obtain ACBC certification in conjunction with his ongoing work at the Mission.
The combination of his experience, current studies, and heart to impact the broken made Jeremy an excellent addition to our team. In Jeremy’s words, “It is such a privilege to serve the Lord at a mission in my own backyard. I often feel inadequate and underqualified for the job, but God has always supplied whatever is needed for the mission he sends you on. As an Operations Manager, I get to care for the people we serve by ensuring the Mission fulfills its commitment to deliver a consistent, biblical, gospel message from the various platforms it’s proclaimed, taught, and written.”


Scott Holman

Tim Trenum

In 2009, God graciously opened Victor's eyes to see his sin as heinous in the eyes of a Holy God, that it cost Jesus his life and deserved eternal punishment, but Jesus paid it all (2 Corinthians 5:21)!
He attended Bob Jones University and graduated in 2014 with his undergrad degree in Bible. In 2022, he received his M.Div from The Master's Seminary and was ordained to the gospel ministry by the elders of Grace Bible Church.
He is passionate and excited about the gospel and the local church. (And coffee too!)
He is married to his lovely wife, Brittany, and they have one child, Silas.

She met and made Jesus her Lord and Savior the fall of 1989 after years of living and loving the world. The experience of hopelessness and tough consequences made her heart heavy and burdened until she cried out to her creator who reached down, picked her up and brushed her off. She has a deep desire to share her Savior through the Women’s Clothing Closet and weekly Bible study.

On May 14, 2009 Bobby came to Union Gospel Mission doors. After losing his family, heart and with his spirit broken, homeless, drinking alcohol and with drugs addictions. Bobby enrolled in the 9 month rehabilitation program at the Mission.
“As I found myself hitting rock bottom by losing everything important in my life, I cried out to my Lord Jesus Christ to enter my heart and change me in His way and do His will. He made me the person that my Lord needed me to become. He made me a better friend, a better man and most of all a better father for my kids.”
“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13 NIV)
“Thank you Lord for being my rock and my saver.”

After some unforeseen circumstances, Ralph decided to take a chance and pursue a career in the self-defense and mixed martial arts industry. He spent over twelve years in that industry as a “jack of all trades,” teaching MMA and self-defense classes, managing daily operations, and developing curriculum to license to other self-defense schools and gyms. Despite having grown up in a Christian home and being around the church most of his life, it wasn’t until this stage in life that Ralph was regenerated and saved by God after experiencing some hardships.
In 2018 after relocating from the Bay Area to Sacramento in hopes of business expansion, God continued to work in Ralph’s life by allowing a decade-long business partnership to disintegrate. Unbeknownst to him, it was during this time that Ralph was being drawn to vocational ministry. At the counsel of those around him, he resumed his education and earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Business, Computer Science, and Religion) from Liberty University. He then earned a Master of Theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary while simultaneously completing the two-year 6:4 Pastoral Internship at Doxa Church. Ralph is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and continues to serve at Doxa as a small group leader, trainer, and coach, in addition to teaching the monthly baptism classes.
Ralph is passionate for The Great Commission and disciple-making. He knows there is no life or context that the gospel of Jesus cannot transform and is excited to walk alongside men whose lives are being changed at UGM to the glory of God.

Jason has been the Pastor Teacher at Calvary since it was formed in January 2016. He has been married to Kelly for over 20 years and they have five children. Jason received his formal training at The Cornerstone Seminary in Vallejo California.
He is a certified Biblical counselor and is a huge benefit to our Men's Rehabilitation Program.

Mike Blain

By 1999 he had even tried his hand at gold mining, and in 2000 found himself building houses in the state of Arkansas. Yet all the skills he learned and rewards he earned weren't enough to protect him from the challenges of addiction.
By 2001, a combination of drugs and alcohol had taken its toll on Donny and lead to a series of bad decisions that left him homeless.
On January 8th, 2002 Donny came to The Union Gospel Mission, and 2 weeks later gave his heart to Christ. With renewed determination he enrolled in the rehabilitation program, and graduated on November 22nd 2002 with an entirely new outlook on life.
Grateful for his life changing experiences at the mission, Donny decided to share with others what God had done for him, and in 2003 began his internship as a cook. By the next year he was the head cook at The Union Gospel Mission, and because of his leadership abilities was promoted to ranch manager of Eagles Nest Ranch in August of 2005.
Donny Braninburg is committed to the work he does because of the difference he makes in the lives of others, and The Union Gospel Mission is a better place because he’s here.

For all his talent, David was unable to overcome his struggles with alcohol and by 1998 he was out of a job and homeless.
Three years went by before David found himself at the door of The Union Gospel Mission, where he found a home and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Like many graduates, David’s experiences at the mission and deliverance from addiction, gave him an overwhelming urge to give back to others.
In 2002 David became a full time employee of the mission and says, “God has me right where he wants me to be.”

On December 12, 2009, Danny landed at the doors of Union Gospel Mission. Just released from prison, broken down, homeless and struggling with the urges of falling back into a life of alcohol, anger and drug addictions, Danny enrolled in the 9 month Rehabilitation Program at the Mission.
"The Lord knew I was tired and that I wanted the mental and emotional roller coaster ride to STOP!" I had to let go of the wheel as I thought I was in control and just ended messing up my life. When I surrendered my life to Jesus, I now am along for the ride as He's got control of the wheel, and my life has drastically changed!
Now, I'm working for the very place that picked me up, dusted me off, gave me reason, and pointed me in the direction I needed to walk."
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Romans 10:9,13. "I confess before you all now."
Danny began interning in the Development Department in 2010, and officially became employed May, 2011. His love for the homeless has enriched the Mission and his computer skills have enhanced the office, especially keeping up with today's speed of technology. He continues to volunteer after hours with the homeless, and has become another great member of the Mission's family.
Danny has also redesigned the Union Gospel Mission Webpage and brought it in-house to reflect what it is that the Mission does. Who else would know then someone that has been through the effects of addiction, recovery and reborn.

At the age of 25 Greg found the Union Gospel Mission and a career he truly loves. Greg has served the mission in a variety of jobs for more than 20 years, selflessly taking on any task he has been asked to address. His favorite job involves working in the front office with daily data entry.
Tireless and dedicated to the plight of the homeless, Greg is the ultimate team player. His spirit is contagious and he truly represents what The Union Gospel Mission is all about.

Will Magana

Matthew struggled with alcohol and drugs after the passing of his parents, but found hope when he arrived at the Union Gospel Mission in December of 2019.
Matthew lost nearly everything in his life and wanted true change that Christ offers and joined the 9 month men’s rehabilitation program.
“I had gotten to the point where I burnt so many bridges that I was running out of options and the only option left was to be on the street. I was depressed and tired and I wasn’t sure I could do this anymore, I wanted real lasting change and not just temporary sobriety. Christ has brought me into redemption, transforming me from an alcoholic and drug addict into a father, brother, friend and productive individual of society.”
Matthew worked in the Kitchen as a cook during most of his program and after graduating in September of 2020 he began to intern as a cook for another 9 months. In June of 2021 he was employed by the mission and serves faithfully in the accounting department today.
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)
“I thank Christ every day for the new life and opportunities I’ve been given.”

Before joining the staff at UGM, she worked in various office settings as an administrative assistant, but none of these jobs brought the fulfillment she deeply desired—to help people and use her gifts for a purpose. When she joined the Mission, it was clear to her that this was where God wanted her. Currently, she enjoys entering data, creating social media posts, helping create the monthly newsletter, taking photos, and bringing new ideas to the plate. Every task, no matter how big or small, is a rewarding one that serves a bigger purpose.
Outside of work, she enjoys serving at her church as a worship leader, volunteering, spending time with friends and family, and taking care of her 4 cats and 3 bearded dragons. In April 2021, she married her husband Christopher, and together they live to glorify God through every joy and trial that comes their way.
“I am so thankful to be a part of the UGM staff, and I hope to be here for many more years to come, and hopefully (FINALLY) begin a longstanding career. All glory to God!”

Micah has been a faithful member of Calvary Grace for four years. He enjoys serving in many different way’s such as teaching in the youth/college ministry, serving in the music ministry by playing the cajon and guitar.
Micah also attends The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary located in Vallejo CA. In May of 2022 he earned his Hermeneutics certificate. He plans to continue taking seminary level classes so he may proficiently serve his church as a teacher and serve Union Gospel Mission most efficiently.
Micah’s desire for Union Gospel Mission is to continue to minster to our program guys while working as an Office Clerk. He has already received multiple teaching opportunities and loves expositing and discussing scripture with our program men. He loves sharing Christ and discussing the depth of scripture with our men.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” -John 15:13

