Testimonies at Olympia Union Gospel Mission - Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives

Home page Who we are See our work Make a donation News Contact us

Programs Dental Clinic Vision Clinic Genesis Acres Volunteer Abigails

Mission employee Jeff Marchell once owned a legitimate business in Yelm, WA, but when he started hanging out with the wrong crowd, his career changed to that of big time drug dealer. Over time, he became the focus of a major drug sting operation. A police helicopter chasing his car was the final push Jeff needed to give up drug dealing. Not long before the day the helicopter appeared, Jeff attended a Promise Keeper’s men’s rally in Tacoma, where he made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Although his life didn’t immediately change, Jeff began to sense God working in his life. His drug deals had brought him a lot of money, which he spent on drugs and worldly goods. He also lived life as a con artist. “Everything I did was a con,” admits Jeff.
After his confession of faith, Jeff felt God telling him that if he didn’t stop using drugs, he was either going to kill himself, or someone else. He also head God telling him that if he didn’t stand in the gap for his son, his son would turn out just like him. Jeff began to feel conviction about his entire lifestyle, including cigarettes, credit card use, and illicit relationships with the opposite sex. At that point, he decided to cut up his credits cards and get rid of everything he had wrongfully obtained. “I knew I’d been serving the wrong God,” he said. With nothing left, Jeff walked out of Yelm. He believes he was making a faith step, but he didn’t know where he was going or what he was going to do. Eventually, He wound up at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission.
“I walked in and there was no one there but me, so I started cleaning up. I heard God say, “do you want to be a part of this? This scared me and I ran out of the Mission and didn’t come back for six months,” said Jeff. For a few weeks, he stayed in hotels or camped in the woods until he found an apartment in downtown Olympia that he could afford on a small income. After moving into downtown, he started visiting the Mission again and was soon volunteering every day. He became a part of the Mission and was eventually hired part time to help monitor the day center. Later, he was hired as a full time Mission employee and now works as the Mission’s Evening Supervisor. One major blessing Jeff has received while working at the Mission is an opportunity to build and own a house through the Northwest Housing Program, which helps low income families become home owners. Jeff read about the program in a newspaper article. He applied and was accepted to the program, and spent the last 18 months building a home with the help of friends and clients from the Olympia Union Gospel Mission’s Men’s Recovery Program. This self-help housing program requires 35 hours a week of hands on labor from Jeff and those volunteering on his project. His friends gathered at his new home on May 31 to wish him well, and to bless his home with prayer. “I took a faith step and trusted God, and God proved himself faithful,” said Jeff, who calls FAITH a Fabulous Adventure In Trusting Him; and now that he owns his own home, Jeff’s FAITH is bigger than ever.

I found myself going through the same old situations: in and out of my addictions and habit for the last 13 years of my life. At that time, I recalled where I could get a hot meal and help, if I really wanted it from the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. I believe God had sent his angels to help me get well. I believe He led me to the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. I had been here before. The Holy Spirit had started to plant a seed in my heart and it started to grow. I prayed to God to help me get clean and sober, and to give me a chance to change my old sinful ways. The Lord answered me that day and said to go to the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. This is where you are going to begin your road to recovery. Here I am today, on a new patch of the road to a clean and sober life. I walk with God: Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Thank you OUGM. James Nagai

I ended up at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission after a life of addiction. I had an abscess on my arm from using a needle and was at my wits end. I did know where to turn, but was having trouble turning back to the Lord. Pat and Jeff met me there and helped me understand what the Men’s Recovery Program was all about. It was about an intimate relationship with God, and also learning how to love others, and how to love myself.

I entered the program and have a full time job, and have been clean and sober ever since. I also have a great church and many godly people to help me get to the next level. My relationship with my two sons is where God wants it to be, and I am having a great time mentoring them. My life will now be as God had planned it from the beginning. Tim Ladato

Share this website with a friend Add this website to your favorites

Olympia Union Gospel Mission 413 Franklin Street, NE Olympia, WA 360 . 709 . 9725 OUGM@Reachone.com