Tim has been cooking for others since he was seven years old. He started preparing dinner for his family who worked in factories. By age 11, he had prepared his first Thanksgiving meal. Cooking for his family brought Tim great joy, and he learned his skills from his mother and grandmother.
Working in management positions was a significant asset in his role today at UGM. However, he drank alcohol and smoked cigarettes daily for 30 years, to the extent that he couldn’t function without alcohol in his system as he would suffer from withdrawals.
By the Grace of God
In 2009, Tim joined our Men’s New Life Program, and by the grace of God, Jesus saved his life and became sober. While in the program he worked in the kitchen, and when he graduated in 2011, he started an internship which led to a full-time job in 2012.
Tim’s role as Kitchen Manager is extensive, starting with cooking for up to 300 people per day. He also prepares semiweekly food boxes for families and seniors, and special holiday food boxes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Additionally, he manages inventory, food rotation, menu planning, temperature control, and maintaining certifications. Tim collaborates effectively with agencies such as Feeding America, Sacramento Food Bank, and the Health Department, which require regular reports and inspections.
Mentoring Men
Mentoring men in the New Life Program is a central aspect of his role, teaching them about food preparation and job accountability, and guiding them biblically. “We take a man off the street, out of prison, off drugs or alcohol, and give him work, while discipling them in Bible class, personal studies, counseling, and continuing to share the Gospel that helps transform the whole person.” After forty years of management, he knows how to provide support through attentive listening and, as a believer, through prayer. “Many people have come in and talked to me and stayed in the program. Was it me? No. Was it God through me? Probably. So I just make myself accessible and hold them accountable.” He has witnessed numerous men go through the entire transformation journey through the life-changing power of the Gospel.
Serving the homeless and poor
There is great joy in serving the homeless and poor, program men, and even the UGM staff. He shares, “Prior to salvation, I did things for just me. I am grateful to God and to the Mission for the transformation they facilitated in my life. I’ve been sober for 15 years, from cigarettes and everything, and I’m following Christ and serving Him every day. The joy I have in my heart, I’m full. I don’t have to look for that fulfilling need anymore. I found it. It’s been a true blessing to be here.”
Throughout his years of service to the Mission, Tim recognizes that he is a servant of God, and God is his provider. It is a miracle that God chose to save a sinner deep in addiction and use him for His glory and purpose. He works for his earthly boss and, more importantly, his Heavenly Boss. “I call him the ‘storekeeper’; God puts authority figures in positions for a reason, and you must respect that and honor God in everything you do.”
Donor & Volunteer Support
The Mission has existed since 1962 without government funding, and God has faithfully provided for the Mission through food agencies, the tremendous generosity of our donors, and volunteers. Every day, church groups come to share the Gospel and serve dinner. We continue to follow the same schedule for our homeless guests today—Chapel service and then dinner. A Gospel message is shared first before our families and seniors leave with their holiday food boxes. Tim shares, “We want to feed them physically and spiritually—to give them hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that there is a way to a new life.” Praise God for His glorious grace!
