CHRIST-CENTERED

All our efforts reflect the love, teachings, and salvation of Jesus Christ.

We acknowledge that Jesus, the son of God, is our creator, redeemer, restorer, and Lord of all.  As a mission, we strive to make him known.  We believe it is through His love and power that lives are transformed.  Our programs and services are built upon the solid foundation of Jesus as Lord who is able to redeem and restore all who seek him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS BY SERVING THE SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING OF THOSE EXPERIENCING NEED.

All people are created in God’s image and worthy of love. God is able to restore and redeem even the most broken amongst us.

We follow Jesus and extend compassion to those experiencing hunger, homelessness, abuse and vulnerability.  We provide life-essentials such as food, clothing, and shelter caring for people’s physical needs. We share the love of Jesus with those we encounter while respecting each person’s journey and personal beliefs.

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8

WE WORK TO EMPOWER THOSE WE SERVE SO THAT ALL MAY ACHIEVE THEIR GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL.

Human dignity originates from God because all people are created in His image.  God shaped and breathed life into humankind, and by this we have eternal significance because God granted it to us.  All people, of all races, equally share inherent God-given dignity. Therefore, dignity is not something we give or take away from any person, no matter their status or circumstances in life.  God declares that all people are valuable and worthy of love. 

Out of this conviction:

• We treat every person we encounter with respect as image bearers.

• We empower people to achieve their potential by providing support and resources, respecting each individual’s abilities.

• We create pathways, allowing each individual to achieve their potential.

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters if mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

WE DEFEND AND ADVOCATE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE, SEEKING GOD’S JUSTICE FOR ALL. 

The idea of justice has become very politicized and polarizing in our world today.  The fact is, there is much injustice in our broken world, and it is in this fallen world that God requires us to “walk humbly, love mercy and to do justice.”  Justice is not an option—it is based in the very nature and character of God.

As Christians, all justice is founded upon God, who is a just God. Doing justice is a reflection of who God is--we are to love our neighbor as God has loved us.

The idea of justice means “to make right.” In this sense, justice encompasses people becoming right with God, and then, becoming right with one another. We can only become right with God through faith in Jesus, and we can be right with others by loving our neighbor.

Sadly, there are those who abuse the weak or express immeasurable injustice, but as a mission, we work to aid those who experience injustice. We work to make things right, looking forward to a new Kingdom where God will reign and all injustice will cease. 

… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

WE ACHIEVE THE MOST THROUGH PARTNERING.

As Christians, the body of Christ is comprised of all believers using their unique gifts and skills and working together, to serve God.  This body is a picture of Jesus to the world. 

Union Gospel Mission was launched out of a spirit of collaboration, over 90 years ago 40 area churches came together in Portland to form Union Gospel Mission to be a light and reach the broken along the river front in Old Town.  We still embrace that original calling to work alongside the local church and others to serve those experiencing homelessness, addiction, and abuse in our community.

We maintain a cooperative spirit of openness towards other humanitarian organizations, churches, businesses, civil society, volunteers, and donors.  We are committed to building partnerships with others in our community to work more wisely and efficiently, and see greater outcomes for all those we serve.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor;  for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. Ecclesiastes 4:9