WHO WE ARE
Chattanooga Outreach Inc., d/b/a Union Gospel Mission was formed in 2007 as a 501(c)3 non-profit homeless mission after separating from Highland Parks Baptist Church. UGM started in 1950 and has been helping the homeless community in Chattanooga and the Tri-State area for over 70 years providing over 2 million meals, 1 million shelter sleep nights, and over 1 million hours of community services. Our main focus is helping clients:
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WHAT WE OFFER
G.R.A.C.E. Discipleship Program
The G.R.A.C.E. Discipleship Program is designed to be a six month, residential, program for men seeking to address “life-controlling” issues in their lives. The majority of clients in this program come from a background of drug addiction and/or alcoholism. This program will also help address other issues of addiction and/or a life of poor decision making. A curriculum that combines group classes, self-study, daily structure, and strong personal accountability; provides the necessary tools for our clients to achieve the change in their lives that they seek. After-Care / Transitional Housing Once our clients have completed the G.R.A.C.E. Discipleship Program, we have found that the majority of them are in need of a “next step”. For those who don’t have a support system in place, we provide them with housing, help with job search, budgeting, and re-integrating into “normal” society. Our After-Care program provides that “extra step” in helping our clients transition into a productive life. |
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The Union Gospel Mission was founded with a heart for the homeless and less-fortunate, it is vital to us that we maintain programming that ministers to and provides for the needs of this segment of our community. In order to help meet these needs we take the opportunity several times each year to reach out. Every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and other additional occasions we set up downtown and provide free meals, personal items, and mostly friendship and fellowship to our friends in need. |
Our Team
REV. JON RECTOR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rev. Jon Rector has served as our Executive Director since 2003. Jon was saved as a child of about 9 years old and surrendered to God’s call to preach as an 11 year old boy. Jon preached the occasional church service and chapel service as the opportunities arose. At 14, Jon served a whole summer as an intern for Randy Taylor Revivals, traveling across the country holding meetings. Jon has served in several positions of church service, including Children’s Church Director, Bus Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, Music Minister, Assistant Pastor, and Associate Pastor. In 2000, Jon was asked to serve as the full-time Chaplain with Chattanooga Rescue Mission. His three year tenure there saw him serve as Chaplain, Men’s Program Director, Community Program Director, and acting Executive Director. In 2003, Jon was called as the Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission. Under Jon’s leadership, 2007/2008 saw the transition of Union Gospel Mission (a local church ministry) to Chattanooga Outreach, Inc. (d/b/a Union Gospel Mission); a fully independent 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization. Jon currently serves as the Board President of Chattanooga Outreach and Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission. |
DR. CHAD ROBERTS, PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dr. Roberts has returned to UGM after working with a youth drug and alcohol center and hospitality property management company in Gatlinburg, TN. Dr. Roberts obtained his PhD in Computer Engineering from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville in 2017. Holds two Bachelor degrees and two Master degrees. Chad was raised in Winchester, TN and owned his own computer business in the Nashville/Brentwood, TN area and has worked in the hospitality field in upper management for 15 plus years. Chad is a 2017 graduate of the G.R.A.C.E. Discipleship program and earned his doctorate while at Chattanooga Outreach. Dr. Roberts returned in March 2019 as Program Director to help in the new transition and future plans of UGM. Dr. Roberts is currently residing at the UGM campus to help with the expansion and daily oversight, serves on two Board of Directors for computer expansion with inner city youth, Serves on the Director Board for Youth Outreach for East Tennessee; volunteers with the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, a member of the East Hamilton Lion's Club, and a member of Red Bank Baptist Church. Dr. Roberts stated he is "looking forward to where God leads in 2019 and beyond and to give back where it was once given to him." |
Staff Volunteer Team
BRYAN DUMAS
Bryan was homeless for 5 years when he came to the Union Gospel Mission in 2014. He was diagnosed with bi-polar and clinical depression in 2008 and was struggling with his illness on the streets by himself when he enter the GRACE Discipleship program and graduated in 2016. A Christian since 1979 after being away from God for many years Bryan rededicated his life in 2013. Using the resources the Lord put before him at UGM, Jo Johnson Behavioral Health, and the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, he learned to cope with his illness though prayer, fellowship, and and relaying on Gods grace Using his talents and experience of being homeless, Bryan now splits his year between UGM and the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, managing the winter shelter at the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. |