Then and Now
Help a hurting neighbor, like Mike, say goodbye to the past and hello to new life!
Travel Down Mike's Road:
Then and Now
Then and Now
Help a hurting neighbor, like Mike, say goodbye to the past and hello to new life!
Travel Down Mike's Road: Then and Now
BACK THEN
Mike endured nine surgeries due to health problems plaguing him since birth. During one surgery, his heart stopped beating while he was on the table—twice. Afterward, he dropped down to 60 pounds, becoming merely a walking skeleton.
NOW
“I cried when I got in.”
...about Christ Recovery Center, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.
BACK THEN
Mike and his twin sister were born premature. His dad was abusive. His mom died when he was 4. A cruel neighbor mistreated him and his siblings. He was exposed to inappropriate content at a young age.
The result: anger. So much anger.
When Mike was 9, a 13-year-old bullied him at the ice rink they were at. Mike pushed him up against a wall and was about to injure the elder kid with his skate blade when Mike’s older brother stepped in to stop him.
NOW
“When I came here, I didn’t trust anything. Now I can love again and trust again.”
...about Christ Recovery Center, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.
BACK THEN
Mike said hello to alcohol and drugs at age 13. The substance abuse meant he would attend treatment programs 14 different times before turning 20, and would go on to attend 44 times total.
The diagnoses he received? Alcoholism and either depression or PTSD, or both.
NOW
“Shame used to be my driving force; now it’s peace, serenity, God, fellowship.”
...about Christ Recovery Center, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.
BACK THEN
After he quit drinking, Mike started gambling. At one point, he cashed out his 401k, telling his wife he’d pay off his gambling debt. Instead, he gambled the money away. And along with the money, he lost his marriage.
NOW
“I love this program, and I love God because He meets you where you are.”
...about Christ Recovery Center, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.
TRANSFORM LIVES LIKE MIKE'S
Make it possible for hurting neighbors to say goodbye to the past and hello to new life.
BACK THEN
After being sober many years, Mike caused a near-deadly accident. He made a misjudgment while using propane and it sparked an explosion that destroyed the house. Guilt plagued him for a long while after the incident.
NOW
“God’s the one that drives me forward. God’s the one who gets me where I need to be.”
...about Christ Recovery Center, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.
BACK THEN
Mike faced jail time—yet again—this time for DUIs. The mental health services worker assigned to his case offered treatment as an alternative, and Mike asked if he could go to Christ Recovery Center at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.
NOW
“This place loved me till I started loving myself. Salvation saved a wretch like me.”
Give a hungry neighbor a hearty meal for just $1.96!
Generous donors like you—who offer meals and the tangible love of Jesus—make it possible for hurting neighbors to say goodbye to the past and hello to new life! You’ll bring a meal, hope, and the life-changing power of the Gospel with your gift today.
Who is Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities?
Founded in 1902, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (UGMTC) is a Christian ministry dedicated to serving people facing homelessness, poverty, or addiction in our community. By meeting physical, spiritual, emotional, and educational needs, our mission—together with you—is changing lives!
We’re committed to financial accountability
Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is a Christian 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, offering hope to those experiencing homelessness, poverty, and addiction in our community. Our federal Tax Identification Number is 41-0705847. We are a member in good standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), and “Certified Excellent” by the Citygate Network. We are a gold-level Guidestar participant demonstrating a commitment to transparency. We also subject ourselves annually to an internal audit. You can trust that your donations are handled with care. We do not sell or share our mailing list.