UGM Dallas 2023 Spring Newsletter

SEARCHLIGHT

STORIES DO HAVE A HAPPY

82,971 Bible Study Attendance

Current Disciples

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO MARRIAGE

SUPPER

OF THE LAMB (REV 19: 6-10)

On March 3, 2023, UGM Dallas had its first marriage ceremony in 74 years between residents at UGM Dallas; a lady at the Center of Hope and a man at Calvert Place. They first met in 1977 when she was 14 and he was 17 years old. Their paths crossed again in 2015 in California, and they eventually made it back to Dallas, Texas.

6,711 Counseling Hours

3,766 Spiritual Decisions 96,670 Chapel Attendance

Thank you for your continued support to transform lives and end homelessness one person at a time. Now, you are also a part of restoring lives and building families God’s way through the covenant of marriage. Congratulations to this couple! We look forward to seeing our precious donors and the newlyweds at the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven one day! We are all invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Thanks for doing your part to invite others to the marriage supper.

“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fi ne linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” - Revelation 19:6-10 (ESV)

4,014 Addiction Recovery Counseling Sessions

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mark your calendars! Official dates will be announced soon!

APRIL / MAY

SEPTEMBER

199 Individuals Gainfully Employed

Disciple Graduation

Golf Tournament Fashion Show

Family & Friends Picnic

Sept. 21: North Texas Giving Day

BRUCE BUTLER, CEO Chief Executive Officer

CELEBRATION OF LOVE LADIES TEA

Nothing says fun like a group of ladies coming together to enjoy a beautiful afternoon tea.

UGM Dallas had the opportunity to thank donors, volunteers and share our mission during a Celebration of Love Ladies Tea. The event was hosted by Pastor Bruce Butler and his wife, Sharon. The ladies in attendance enjoyed delicious treats, a fashion show presented by the women at Center of Hope Women & Children’s Shelter and heard testimonies of the transformation from homeless to hopeful. If you would like to be a part of our next event, learn more about UGM Dallas or schedule a tour of our facilities, please contact ugmpartners@ugmdallas.org.

CHANGE TAKES TIMEIT IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT

At UGM Dallas, we are committed to transforming lives spiritually and physically. This is our second year partnering with Up & Running Again, a program that trains homeless individuals living in rescue missions to complete half marathons.

On February 27th, we began training for the Fiesta de May Half Marathon to be held on May 20th. We currently have 13 women who train at the Women’s Campus on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7:45 am, and 15 men who train at the Men’s Campus on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 am. Both men and women train on Saturdays at 6:30 am. If you are looking for an opportunity to minister, we need volunteers to assist with various tasks such as keeping time, handing out snacks and cheering on our runners. If interested, please visit ugmdallas.org/run.

CURRENT NEEDS

If you are looking for ways to give, we have posted a list of our needs on our website.

Please visit ugmdallas.org/donate-goods

We appreciate any and all donations.

STORIES DO HAVE HAPPY ENDING AT UGM

It has often been said that good things come to those who wait. James 1:4 states, “But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Mr. & Mrs. Steven and Jacqueline Moss exhibited this during a beautiful wedding ceremony held on Friday, March 3, 2023, here at UGM Dallas Center of Hope Morning Star Chapel. Their

union showed that true love can be found with patience and hope in God. The two knew each other in their teenage years in California but reconnected while residing here at UGM Dallas. After finding transformation in the midst of adversity, they found love and now look forward to living their lives together.

The ceremony and reception were hosted at UGM Dallas Center of Hope, with bridesmaids dresses provided by Project Vintage Runway Boutique. UGM Dallas Chef Ragas prepared a beautiful wedding cake to celebrate the couple.

A DALLAS

The staff at UGM Dallas wishes them the very best and a lifetime of love and happiness. May God bless their union!

UGM DALLAS MINISTRY PARTNERS SPOTLIGHT

At UGM Dallas, we are blessed with many ministry partners that are a key to our success. In this edition, we would like to highlight Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCPC), located at 4124 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas.

For over 20 years, we have worked side by side with PCPC and their Missions’ team. Their generosity has included use of their church for the annual UGM Praise and Thanksgiving banquet as well as participating in the annual “Boxes of Blessings”. Their wonderful volunteers, which include professional business owners, dentists, and counselors, have also taken part in many of our community outreach programs here at UGM Dallas. They have also served as chapel providers sharing the good news of the gospel to those in need. Thank you PCPC for your support, prayers and service. To learn how your organization can serve at UGM Dallas, visit ugmdallas.org/volunteer-1/.

UGM DALLAS SHOWCASES

We are excited to announce that the UGM Kingdom Choir will sing at the Mission on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. Mr. Rodney Sherman, a local musician, is going to be working with the group twice a week.

As the UGM Kingdom Choir receives invitations, they will go out into the community and be available for performances at various churches, events and concerts. While utilizing their God-given talents, they will be ambassadors for the Mission, sharing their testimony and helping raise awareness about the homeless of Dallas and how we are working to transform lives and end homelessness one person at a time. To learn more or schedule a performance, please contact ugmkingdomchoir@ugmdallas.org.

LOOKING FOR WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE HOMELESS ON OUR STREETS?

With the price of food skyrocketing, UGM Dallas could use your help. We are accepting commercial size quantities of food. If you are a restaurant owner or have access to commercial quantities, we would appreciate any donations. We are also working to replace and build a walk-in freezer and refrigerator and to install a new alarm system. If you are a business owner with experience or expertise in this area or have any recommendations. To find a list of other needs, visit our website at ugmdallas.org/ donate-goods/.

Our world is loud. Quiet and rest don’t just happen; we have to make space for them. Here are four ways to create more room for peace in your life:

1. Set limits. Overbooked schedules edge out time for rest. Create rules and structure around the time you spend looking at screens, fulfilling commitments, and even working.

2. Declutter. Excess stuff in your space brings excess clutter to your mind. Organize and simplify your home to enjoy greater rest.

3. Practice the Sabbath. The Jewish tradition of Sabbath means to denote a particular expanse of time

as set apart for rest. Worship, contemplation, prayer, and simply taking a nice, long exhale can all help us pause and reconnect with God and ourselves.

4. Plan for the future. Have you created an estate plan? Roughly 70% of Americans do not have an upto-date will; many avoid the process because they feel overwhelmed or assume they have many years still to prepare. The process of creating or updating a will can be surprisingly simple, and it creates immeasurable peace of mind.

For the full version of this article, request a FREE copy of "“6 Ways to Experience More Peace Today"” by contacting Tonya Johnson at (972) 674-1314 or tjohnson@ugmdallas.org. Visit ugmlegacygifts.org to bless your family with an up-to-date will.

IN HONOR OF

DONORS

Pamela Starkey

Michael Panchuk

Tim Pawul

Mike Amis

Douglas Washington

Tommy & Carol Smith

John Wagener

Molly Lucas

DONORS

Corinne Fiagome

Robert Middleton

Thomas Mathew

Star McKinzie

Lorelli Washington

Marianne Thompson

Omar Callejas

Roxanne R. Phillips

Anita Sanders

Raymond Johnson

Nancy Castro

Emily Dulgar

Tami Rodgers

IN HONOR OF DONORS

David Donelson

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Luvia Fernandez

Center Of Hope

UGM Men’s ministry

Sherry & Gerald Brantley

In Jesus Name

Margaret Lucas

Matthew Sanchez

James Buckner

Michael and Anna Panchuk

Irene Benavides

B. Godfrey

Allison Ware

Stephen Gosling

IN MEMORIAM

IN HONOR OF

Rj Smith and T. Sanchez-Smith

Aunt Judi

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Tom Hayden

Center Of Hope - Dallas

Deana Moreno

Jesus Christ

IN MEMORY OF DONORS IN MEMORY OF

Lashanda Janene Hearne

Robert Middleton III

George Mathew

Darrius Caristandum Levender McKinzie

Louis John Oakley

Jim Thompson

Jorge Arizmendi

William Armstrong

Carl Sanders, Sr.

Maverick Job Johnson

John E. Hyre

Steven Douglas Dulgar

Carl Brumley

Heath Morrow

Susi Thomas

Robert Middleton

Matthew Johnston

Earl Burrell

Jeffrey Hiskey

Joe and Kim Dill

Richard Camp

Suzi Prassas

Gary Edd Fish

Lynn Murtha

Rodolf Pineda

Anne Cunningham

Pastor Bill Thompson

Mathew Thomas and Mathew George

Robert W. Middleton III

David and Paula Johnston

Chaplain Kim

George W. Houck, Jr.

Jenee DILL

Dan Camp

Pauline Ferguson

Nancy Jo Fish

Trent Lowrance

Prudencio Pineda, Sr.

Norman Cunningham