Testimonials
Men’s Mission
“I would like to thank the Union Gospel Mission of Salem for the support they have given me for the last six months in my stay while seeking employment. I have recently accepted a teaching position with the Salem-Keizer public school district for the 2010-2011 school year working with special education students in high school. Again, thank you for your support and I am truly grateful for what you have done for me. God bless” – Kenny
“I am thankful for the New Life Fellowship Program at the Men’s Mission – it has taught me to trust God for my life”
“I am grateful to God that I have been clean for over ten months”
“God has helped me restore relationships with my son and daughter”
“Thank you, God, for helping me to quit smoking and chewing tobacco”
“I can see God is at work in my life. He has provided me a new family with the men and staff at UGM and is helping me understand what love is.”
Jesse
Jesse came to the mission at the age of 24 after being surrounded by abuse and addiction. His mother was a meth addict and, as a small child, he was often beaten or kept up all night by loud parties. Jesse and his brother were responsible for getting themselves off to school each morning. Because of his football coach and others who cared, Jesse nearly finished high school. He fell into a lifestyle of drinking and drugs. After losing job and relationships he finally quit drinking and doing drugs. Yet, he still felt empty and lost.
After coming to the Mission and hearing about Jesus and the new life He provides, Jesse decided to join the program. Jesse had never before opened a Bible and had no idea who Jesus was. All he knew was something had to change in his life. On August 4, 2010 – after two weeks in the program – Jesse prayed to invite Christ into his life. Jesse is now convinced of and committed to a life worth living, with a new Father and a family at UGM.
Simonka Place
“I have been in the NLF program for over two months. It has been a real blessing for me. I can sleep at night without medication and I can now walk with my head held high. I now have God in my heart and look forward to the wonderful changes a growing relationship with him will bring.” – Karri
“We have been tremendously blessed by Simonka Place! My grandson heard Bible stories for the first time. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” – Laura
“I appreciated the help from the staff and their positive, loving, Christ-centered attitude.” – Tiffany
“I felt very comfortable here. I was able to make friends easily and the staff was really nice. I felt safe.” – Amber
“I was at Simonka Place for 30 days last summer. My husband and kids dropped me off after a drunk driving accident – I was a mess. I just wanted to let the staff know how I am doing. I now have one year of sobriety and am doing great. Our family is better than ever and just got back from a nice vacation thru Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
Through a lot of prayer and counseling we are all at a very healthy place, both mentally and spiritually. As my kids have said, had events not played out as they did we would still be a mess or I would be dead. I owe it all to you at Simonka and to God and a lot of hard work.
I am working at a book store and love my job. I did all that was asked of me by the courts and did go to jail for five out of fifteen days. They said one out of twenty people do what they are supposed to do – and I am the one that did.” – Leslie
R.O.C. Outreach Center
Johnny
Sixteen years ago Johnny’s grandfather – the sole provider for Johnny and his younger brothers – passed away. Feeling confused, abandoned and vulnerable Johnny became angry with God. He went into Silverton, got drunk and, thinking he could get God’s attention towards his distress and pain, decided to set a church on fire. There seemed to be no response from God, so Johnny decided to set another church on fire hoping this would get God’s attention.
After serving a fifteen-year sentence in prison for arson, Johnny came to the R.O.C. outreach center for some household items. It was there that Johnny was introduced to our loving, patient and forgiving Father in heaven. That day Johnny prayed with the R.O.C. staff and surrendered his life to Christ.
Sherry
Sherry, who suffers from some mental disabilities, came to the R.O.C. outreach center seeking help with things for her new apartment. For the last several years Sherry has been homeless, wandering from place to place. Two years ago she settled into a local rest stop, relying on travelers to help with her daily needs.
Through a local housing program, Sherry received the gift of an apartment to finally call home. She was referred to R.O.C. and made an appointment to meet with the staff for help. While being interviewed, Sherry remained very meek and withdrawn. All she wanted was one fork, one spoon and a frying pan, her brokenness evident on her face. As the R.O.C. staff shared the love of Christ her eyes began to light up and smile formed on her face. She told the staff she knew Jesus and it was Him who kept her safe at night while living at the rest stop.
Sherry had only a bunk bed frame with no mattress at her apartment. The R.O.C. outreach center was able to provide her with a mattress, linens and other household items to help her get started with living a new, restored life. As she shopped the resource center she became more and more excited, her smile growing bigger and her timidity fading away into a new, trusting relationship with UGM staff.
Dental Clinic
“I was missing seven upper teeth, making it extremely difficult to chew many foods. Dr. Bell was able to make me a partial. Now, not only can I chew food better and enjoy it more, my smile is ‘complete’ with no gaps! My confidence jumped quite a few notches!” – Teresa
