Success Stories

“I came to HOM with very little hope. My life was radically transformed by Jesus and caring pastors who wouldn’t give up on me.

Opportunities to serve while being held accountable by brothers who surrounded me with love. Staff and volunteers who taught classes, led worship, and powerful Spirit-filled prayer meetings.

I’ve been on the Union Gospel Mission Facilities ministry team for four years, remarried and attending the Seattle Revival Center. Seven grandkids, relationships restored, I have an amazing family and a wife who enjoys mountains and vacations abroad. She is the Director of Women’s Emergency Shelters and manages “Kent Hope” for Seattle Union Gospel Mission.

God has given more than I ever lost or dreamed of.”

“I found myself in the permanent unit of the Regional Justice Center (RJC), sitting around a table with the guys, singing rap songs and beating on the table.

They announced ” Church service on deck” over the loud speaker.  A ‘snow white’ haired man approached the table and said, “Hey!  Get up from that table and come hear the word of God!”, I replied, “Nawwww. I’m cool.  Maybe next time.” because I was trying to look cool in front of the guys.

The next week he came to my table again and said, “Get up and come to church!” This time he didn’t move.  He stood over me with piercing blue eyes that didn’t blink.  I looked at my friends, seeing that the preacher had called my bluff, I went to service.

When I heard Pastor Bob preach, it seemed like God was talking directly to me.  I left the service feeling that my hope in God was strengthened but the devil still had a hold on my ways.  Like so many times before, I had called on God when I was in trouble but after I was delivered, I would backslide and not follow Jesus.  I still thought I could play with God.  Only after I was finally sentenced and ended up at Airway Heights did I began to contemplate the magnitude of what God had done for me.   When I got sent to Monroe, and saw House of Mercy Services there, then I knew that some seven years later my path at the RJC had come full circle.  Even if I hadn’t continuously been following Christ, he was with me the whole time.”

“I was raised in church but as I grew drifted away from it.  I became discontent with the world, always knowing there was something more.  I searched for it and revisited Christianity without really committing.   Even when I was far from God and wasn’t living right, I look back and realize the Lord had his hand on me.

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Prov. 15:3

After 51 years in prison, I ended up where I had no one and no  place to go.  No one would accept me but House of Mercy.  I realized I not only needed help in adjusting to society, but I also needed a support system and a means for growth  spiritually and socially. 

Since being at HOM and committing to serve in the ministry, I have found more than I was looking for. I have found contentment, meaning and a fulfilling life in service to others.  It is my desire to grow in the grace of God and continue to be involved in HOM ministry and help others who were and are in similar situations that I’ve been in.