Thank you so much to everyone who showed up for an amazing prayer and worship service over our staff, our ministry, and our community.

We are so overwhelmingly blessed and grateful to announce the absolute miracle that both our staff members are stable. Though their recovery will be long and difficult, by the grace of God, they are both going to make it. Thank you so much to everyone for your ceaseless prayers over them.

For anyone who was not able to make it to the service, we will have more updates to come!

God bless, and thank you.

A message from Executive Director Craig Smith addressing the recent event.

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”

— Hebrews 1:1-4

To our community and supporters: 

We want to formally notify you of some difficult news and ask for your support through prayer. 

Yesterday evening on Sunday, June 1, Salem Police responded to a stabbing incident involving 11 people at Union Gospel Mission’s Men’s Mission. Police arrested a male suspect. The incident originated inside the building near the front entrance, and both staff and bystanders inside and outside the building were stabbed. One staff member is in critical condition and one client of our recovery program is in serious, but stable condition. 

As you can imagine, our guests and staff are shaken up and grieving. 

Already we are in conversation and meetings with staff and guests to discuss safety improvements, to the best of our ability, moving forward. 

While we are fervently turning to the Lord in prayer, our healer and refuge, we are also grateful for the swift response of emergency personnel, including Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Department and Salem Health.  

As UGM recovers, many are asking how they can help. We need your support in a way we never before have and ask for you to pray in this way:  

• Please pray for those who sustained injuries—pray that they will heal mentally, emotionally, and physically.  

• Please pray for our staff and guests—that they will be comforted and sustained amid something that cannot be easily explained.  

• Please pray that what the enemy meant for evil, God will turn for good.  

• Please pray that God would give us wisdom as we navigate an incident that is unprecedented for UGM. 

Finally, please join us Thursday, June 5, for a time of community prayer and a message of hope from 10 – 11 a.m. at the UGM Men’s Mission Chapel located at 777 Commercial Street NE. 

As always, UGM is dedicated to providing long-term solutions to homelessness and addiction for our guests through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. While the Men’s Mission dayroom is closed this morning and afternoon, we plan to re-open this evening to continue providing care and resources to those who need sustained hope. Thanks to the amazing frontline staff and our dedicated volunteers at UGM, we were able to provide breakfast and lunch today.  

With the exception of the UGM Mission Thrift Store, all of our other facilities remain open for services to our homeless brothers and sisters. 

We will press on in our mission to help transform the lives of men, women, and children through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ, and we will not be deterred by the enemy. We know that God is sovereign, He is still good, and we are trusting Him. 

Thank you for partnering with us, holding us in your prayers, and for your continued support. 

Craig Smith
Executive Director