Celebrating Union Gospel Mission

Director Jon and Donna Rector

CHATTANOOGA, TN-  Meeting Needs, Making Change, and Magnifying Christ! This has been the core value of the Union Gospel Mission for 75 amazing years. They are a faith-based, non-profit organization providing physical, social, and spiritual well-being to men experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga by offering shelter, food, clothes, community support, and reconnection with God. They have served over 2 million meals, provided overnight shelter for 1 million men, served over 1 million hours in the Chattanooga community, and taught the love of Christ to countless individuals.

According to the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report Part 1 to Congress, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that homelessness has increased by 18% in the past year.  UGM is working to combat this trend by Meeting Needs, Making Change, and Magnifying Christ with Chattanooga’s homeless.

UGM offers 3 main programs:

1. The GRACE Discipleship Program is a 6-month residential program designed to help men struggling with addiction, alcoholism, or other life-controlling issues.

2. The Barnabas Program is a 90-day transitional housing program designed to help clients step down from a recovery program and transition back into society.

3. The Community Outreach Program reaches out to meet the homeless community’s physical, food, clothing, and hygiene needs, as well as additional needs.  They expand their mission by traveling between the camps set up by the unsheltered residents of the Chattanooga area and hand out needed supplies.

Jon Rector has served as the executive director of UGM for the past 22 years.  Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Jon moved to Chattanooga in 1989, shortly after graduating from high school.  Although Jon was saved at 8 and felt called to ministry at 11, his relationship with the Lord wavered until he met his wife, Donna.  After starting their family, he reignited his passion for ministry, getting licensed in 1994 and ordained just two years later.  Jon joined the Chattanooga Rescue Mission in 1999, a non-profit homeless outreach organization, where he served as a full-time chaplain until he transferred to Union Gospel Mission in July of 2003.

“At the most basic level, the mission is my opportunity to fulfill God’s calling on my life.  Outside of my family, the mission is my life’s work.”  As the only official staff member, Jon has multiple responsibilities, including fundraising, programming, cooking, and maintenance. Despite all of his struggles and stress, his heart remains dedicated to UGM’s mission and fulfilling God’s purpose.

UGM plans to double their residential bed space in 2025 to expand their programs.  They are also searching for a more rural facility away from the city’s addictive influences.  Like many nonprofits, UGM relies on grants and donations for its core funding.  One-on-one relationship building and direct mail fundraising are its main sources, with about 90% coming from individuals in the community.  The remaining 10% comes from churches, small businesses, and similar establishments. In addition to financial support, they are always in need of consumables: food, clothes, hygiene items, and other necessities listed on their website.  They also welcome volunteers to join their
mission, serving meals or helping around the office. Please visit: www.theuniongospelmission.org or call their office at 423-752-4998 for additional information on how you can support their mission.