madison house

Yakima Union Gospel Mission recently asked Grace of Christ to consider assuming operational ownership, and mission leadership, of Madison House. Grace of Christ will begin a process, led by Alex Rule and Jake Kupp, to bring together all interested voices regarding the future of Madison House. We are in the beginning stages of exploring what this would mean for Grace, for the Madison neighborhood, and for God’s work in our city. No decisions have been made yet and we anticipate this will be a 4-6 month process.

The thread below will document the process as we move forward.

July 17, 2022

MADISON HOUSE QUESTION & ANSWER

Q & A between services

Want to learn more, ask questions, or want to be a part of the ongoing discussion regarding Madison House? Join us Sunday, July 17 between services at 10:15a in the Adult Ed Room.

We are in the beginning stages of exploring what this would mean for Grace, for the Madison neighborhood, and for God’s work in our city. No decisions have been made yet and we anticipate this will be a 4-6 month process.

For further conversation, connect with Alex@YakimaGrace.com

let us know you plan to attend

July 6, 2022

Letter from Pastor Curt McFarland to Grace of Christ Family

Dear Grace Family,
I am sharing a letter written by Mike Johnson of Yakima Union Gospel Mission regarding Madison House. YUGM has asked Grace of Christ to consider assuming operational ownership, and mission leadership, of Madison House. We do not know what that would look like. Grace of Christ will begin a process, led by Alex Rule and Jake Kupp, to bring together all interested voices regarding the future of Madison House. There are numerous questions that will need to be addressed before moving forward. Because this involves the transfer of real property assets, with associated insurance risks, the Grace of Christ congregation will provide the final vote on this.

If you would like to add your voice to this process, or to serve on this committee, please contact Pastor Alex Rule (248-7940x113) or Alex.Rule@YakimaGrace.com

In Christ,
Pastor Curt

Letter from mike johnson, yugm director, to Grace of Christ Family

Dear Friends at Grace,
Since 1989, Yakima Union Gospel Mission (YUGM) has been working out of the old Madison School in southeast downtown (“Madison House”). We answered God’s call to serve youth and families in poverty and adversity, and so much good ministry has been done through a host of partners, volunteers, and staff. Lately, Madison House has struggled. We have temporarily closed operations at Madison House as we explore the next, God-directed, step for that mission.

One reason is that in 2021, street homelessness increased 48% in one year. In 2021, overdose deaths set national and local records. We are doing more than ever at the Union Gospel Mission, and successfully helping more people than ever. But all this meant we haven’t given Madison House what it needs and deserves. At some level, we simply haven’t been able to. YUGM is convinced we must focus our time and resources on our core calling to help people move from homelessness to wholeness.
Humbling ourselves before this truth, the Mission is now seeking God’s guidance as to what other Christian ministry should take up Madison’s vital work and historic building. The neighborhood must again receive effective ministry, and Madison will serve only ministry purposes.

YUGM is in beginning conversations with Mission co-founder and Madison-partner Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church to chart a path forward for this essential ministry. We are committed to a fully open process of discernment. We invite all of those who have built, served, and contributed -- importantly our friends in the southeast downtown neighborhood itself, to join us in this process.

Updates will be communicated every two or three weeks. If you have questions or input along the way, YUGM Board Member, and Grace of Christ Pastor, Alex Rule has volunteered to serve as a point of contact for questions or input you and others may have. He can be reached at 509-248-7940 ext.113 or Alex.Rule@YakimaGrace.com.
Please be encouraged. God is good. He will never abandon the poor and hurting. The Mission is committed to seeing ministry to the local neighborhood restarted at Madison House, even if that requires the Mission to pass the baton to other Christian partners. And please pray for God’s grace and guidance as He brings a new season of ministry in Southeast Yakima at Madison House.

Sincerely,
Mike Johnson, CEO/Executive Director
Yakima Union Gospel Mission | yugm.org
c (509) 317-1717 | b (509) 853-4300
“Following Christ in helping people move from homelessness to wholeness.”