April Edition

A Note from Dan

Hey guys & gals or more seriously & appropriately "dear brothers & sisters in Jesus Christ" . . . we love you guys so much and want to encourage you in any way we can.

I’ve been doing my daily Bible reading for the last few months in the Old Testament – specifically the Minor Prophets – you know Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, etc.  I love the seriousness that comes thru in their exhortations.  They were men who felt strongly that God had given them a job to do and they committed themselves to doing just that – even though they would be ridiculed and not believed. 

I certainly want to also do the job God has given me in service to Him in the name of our Savior!  That’s the only way to experience His approval & blessing . . . and I need and want His approval & blessing.  Don’t you?

sLi Graduation

The servant Leadership institute (sLi) was formed at the City Union Mission due the great need for a place where CLP and NLP program graduates who are called can receive comprehensive training and preparation that will allow them to effectively enter a career in rescue mission ministry. sLi is a 12 month in residence training and education program that includes both classroom and on the job responsibilities and duties here at City Union Mission.  sLi is comprehensive and Christ centered preparation for a career and life in rescue mission ministry.

Since its beginning in 2010 sLi has had 5 graduates.  Grace Owens and Mike Wutherich (photographed below with Lorraine Minor) graduated March 29^th of this year. The ceremony was attended by some 50 guests, including the 3 past graduates, Sheryl Hasmanis, Felicia Payne and John Meder.  Each of our sLi graduates are employed in ministry here at the City Union Mission

Any graduate of the City Union Mission’s CLP and NLP programs are eligible to apply for the Servant Leadership Institute.  If you would like to learn more about sLi please contact us at...

The servant Leadership institute

“Equipping the Saints for the Work of Service” 

                                                                                                                       Ephesians 4:12.

Update: Greg Kimball - Life and Wedding

 Greg Kimball graduated from the CLP in 2010.  Those who got to know Greg remember him as a quiet man who spoke when he had something to say.  Greg is a veteran having proudly served in the Navy for 17 years.  We also know him to be a man whose life was turned around by God’s grace, a family who proved to be true blue and by putting Christ first each and every day. Greg was married by the Rev. Dan Doty at the City Union Missions’ Opportunity Farm in Warsaw, MO. We had a chance to talk to Greg via email awhile back. 

We Remember You: What have you been doing since graduating from the CLP? Greg: Since graduation I have been working for Springfield Victory Mission as the maintenance supervisor, which I feel is a way of giving back to the type of system that helped get back on the right track. I have continued to bond with my family and have remarried my ex-wife (Jan14 2012). We Remember You: What are your fondest memories of being on the program? Greg: I think my fondest memory is having a case manager that I could tell anything to and them allowing me to vent. You know who you are and I thank God and love you for that. We Remember You: Are you active in a church and how is your walk with the Lord? Greg: I am currently attending Grace Chapel Church in Springfield Mo. I attend a Bible study on Monday evenings with friends and a Bible study on Tuesday evenings with a group from church. I think working for a Christian organization makes it much easier to stay close to the Lord, since I don't have to deal with co-workers that curse or drink or do other things that might tempt me to lose focus. We Remember You: Do you have any thoughts you would like to share with your fellow alumni? Greg: The only thought I have for my fellow alumni is my e-mail signature Proverbs 3:5-6. (Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will direct your paths.)

In Memoriam

In Memoriam A.H.H. was a poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson some 150 years ago. This poem took 17 years to write. In the poem, the poet sees his faith shaken by personal loss and grief but it’s ultimately reaffirmed. We must always remember that when we’re overwhelmed by loss and grief that our Father is always near. The poem concludes:

No, like a child in doubt and fear:
But that blind clamour made me wise;
Then was I as a child that cries,
But, crying knows his Father near;

Dorsey Davis, 64, died March 20, 2012 after a brief illness. Many of you knew Dorsey. He first worked in a Mission Thrift Store, then as a Shelter Manager at the Men's Shelter. Dorsey was called and he served. He served the Lord and he served every man who came before him, often in the wee hours of the morning. It's also important to note that his service included his country in the form of two tours of duty in Vietnam with the U. S. Army. Dorsey had a gentle smile, a warm heart, an a way about him. More importantly, he loved our Lord and Savior with all his heart. Dorsey is survived by a loving wife, four children, and seven grandchildren. Today, he walks and dances on streets of gold.

Gregory Booker, 56, died March 13, 2012. Greg was born in Kansas City, KS and graduated from Shawnee Mission North. Greg was an outgoing, fun-loving person who loved driving any kind of vehicle. Greg taught himself to play a variety of instruments and became involved in music ministry at church. Greg was a devoted Christian with a deep faith in God. His nine years at City Union Mission where he managed fleet vehicles and ministered in many other ways; all a labor of love.

A Word from Staff - Mike Durst

To all the Alumni that I have had the privilege of knowing, and those I haven"t known, I send greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that you are doing good and walking close to our Savior. Many of you left a lasting blessing on my own life and great memories. Hope some of you can stop down at the mission one of these days and we can visit and talk about old times and whats going on in your life. One of my favorite Bible verses that I would like to share with you is Zechariah 4:6 That says " Not by might, nor by power,but by my spirit ,saith the Lord.

In Closing 

We will be publishing We Remember You quarterly.    Please let us know what you are up to and any prayer requests that you may have.  Also let us know what you would like included in future editions of We Remember You  (this is about you after all). Contact us at Steve.Sahl@cityunionmission.org.

An now we leave you with this thought:  Chapter 8 of Proverbs is magical.  Wisdom is talking to us.  Yes wisdom talks to us in Proverbs 8 and she has much to say.  As I have if you spend a few days (or weeks) hovering about Proverbs 8 you’ll be richly rewarded.  Here’s a peek of what she has to say:

I love all those who love me;

And those who diligently seek me will find me.

                            Proverbs 8:17