Four years ago, I was laying on the street in the Downtown Eastside, about to try heroin for the first time. But then, I turned over and saw the UGM sign. If it weren’t for that, I believe I’d be…
One highlight at last weekend’s Missions Fest was hearing from a couple of city officials about how Christians, and faith groups in general, can have a better rapport with their city. The How Can We Inspire City Officials with God’s…
Unaddressed, hidden barriers can silently trap someone in poverty, homelessness or addiction. But every day, Union Gospel Mission (UGM) support offers people resources to triumph over these complex challenges, moving them towards transformation. Following are four of those stories, re-posted…
Yani Lim is best known locally for her pioneering work with Voices Together. Over the years she has led the way in several large gatherings at Rogers Arena and the Pacific Coliseum, each of which drew thousands of Christians from…
Is our culture going to hell in a handbasket? Most days I can be persuaded that we are not, but last Saturday was not one of those days. I went down to check out the 4-20 party at Sunset Beach…
I welcome the British Columbia Government’s consultation on cannabis regulation and the opportunity to offer my concerns, and some suggestions, about the implementation of legalized marijuana in Canada. Let me also me commend the Government for taking seriously the opioid…
Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller released a pastoral letter February 16 urging Roman Catholics to look for ways to respond to the region’s drug overdose crisis. Though it was aimed at Catholics, it is also valuable for the whole Christian…
Christ Church Cathedral will host Vancouver Remembers and Honours next Thursday (May 18), “a community vigil for people affected by the overdose crisis.” Kari Bergrud of Union Gospel Mission – one partner organizing the event – sent out this invitation: The…
Fr. Matthew Johnson serves in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with the Street Outreach Initiative, a joint program of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster and St. James Anglican Church. British Columbia finds itself in a life and death crisis. All around…
A few weeks ago, I got a call from a friend at 4 am. Actually, it was a call from an acquaintance, but now I consider him a friend. He had not been able to sleep and was feeling overwhelmingly…