UGM’s program works

I am sure there are way more people than the mayor “flabbergasted” by the City Council’s sudden hesitancy to work with Spokane’s Union Gospel Mission. Evidently, successful decades of the organization’s involvement with homelessness, addiction and domestic abuse don’t really matter. What matters is their theology and manner of ministering to those in need doesn’t seem to fit some “voices” in the community.

If the city of Spokane doesn’t think the deal they made with the Mission is not in their best interests financially, then say so. But the first objection was over UGM’s policy on sexuality. A religious organization can, of course, make any requirement of their employees they want. But having the “wrong” views on sexuality evidently discounts everything else.

Then came the objection to the requirement that the men staying the night at UGM must attend a gospel service. Is it possible our civic leaders never knew that UGM is an evangelical mission whose whole purpose is to salvage people whose lives are in shambles by introducing them to a loving God in Jesus Christ?

The fact is that religious organizations have the highest success rate with addiction of any groups. UGM has a nationally recognized 18-month recovery program that draws people from all over the country.

One program graduate, Eric, was handsome, intelligent, articulate with personality plus. But, he had drunk himself out of every big career move. When he was asked what had changed him at UGM, he stated with firm enthusiasm: Jesus.

James Becker

Spokane