Andrew grew up spending most of his time with his grandmother, who exemplified love for the Lord and Christian values. Although his parents took him to church, they were often busy with work. After the culture shock of relocating in his early teen years, he began to abuse the lack of supervision to serve his sinful desires. Drugs, crime, immorality, and a prideful heart began to permeate his life.

In his early 20s, he got married and returned to church to please others. Shortly after the birth of his second child, his wife died, and he quickly spiraled into addiction. His life crumbled and his lawless behavior led to multiple prison terms.

While in prison, he began reading the Bible due to the urging of a loved one. Upon release, he was guided to the Union Gospel Mission to eat a meal. That night, before dinner, he heard the gospel for the first time during chapel service. The message of Jesus dying for the ungodly sank deep into his heart, and he returned night after night. Convicted of his sinful state, he decided to join the Men’s New Life Program.

Andrew has graduated from the program, landed a job, been baptized, and joined the membership of a local church in the Sacramento area as he pursues his Lord and godly community.

God has restored many of his relationships and blessed him with new ones in the body of Christ.

The testimonies of some of these men and the change in their lives after the program are deeply encouraging. Your giving provided the Christ-centered counseling needed to heal these men from past trauma and gave them life skills, job training, and transitional housing to prepare them for their futures.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for believing that God transforms lives through the gospel no matter what any of us have done.

In 2025, renovations began on our Dining Room, a project bringing nearly 60 years of history into the 21st century! Our team enjoyed their first meal around shiny new tables just before the year ended. We will have welcomed our first guests into this new space early in 2026, where they can rest, be fed, and experience the love of Christ through His people.

Up next? Our Chapel! We will transition dinner and chapel services into the new space while we embark on the final phase of this renovation, continuing to feed thousands of weary bodies and preach the gospel to lost souls 365 days a year. If you want to further partner with us and add a wheelchair lift to our chapel stage, we welcome your support!

Jackie turned to alcohol after the death of her sister and lived on the streets outside UGM for years. Michelle was homeless and came for our Winter Warming Center at night. Both of them heard about our Women’s Clothing Closet, where they received gospel teaching, clothes, showers, hygiene products, and assistance rebuilding their lives.

Now, Michelle is safely housed, receiving our monthly food boxes, and attending job interviews with the state. Jackie is clean, sober, and now has her own apartment! “This place saved my life!” Jackie said. “An abundance of thank-yous! Big open arms to give you all hugs.”

As we survey the heartbreaking reality of women left defenseless on the streets, it is a light in the darkness to see how God uses your support not just to change lives, but save them here at UGM.