Epic Bible College

January 2010

February 2010

March 2010

April 2010

May 2010

June 2010

July 2010

August 2010

September 2010

October 2010

November 2010

December 2010

January 2011

February 2011

March 2011

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

August 2011

September 2011

October 2011

Here are some testimonies of EPIC Bible College staff & students who have been involved in one way or another in our once-a-month participation in the Union Gospel Mission’s chapel ministry.

_______________________________

My experience at the Union Gospel Mission this February 2011 was a blessed one. The Lord gave me the opportunity to share my gift during the segment of praise and worship. I invited some of my brothers in Christ and fellow ministers of music out to the event and they were a huge blessing. Joseph West, otherwise known as “DJ Holy Ghost” was on the 1′s and 2′s and Michael Thomas a.k.a “Prodigal Child” an anointed singer/rapper. I opened up with a song called “Die’n he Saved me” A song about the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how faith in that results in the death and burial of our old nature, that results in a new nature, that glorifies our creator, as we are resurrected to a new creature. As soon as I walked in the building, it was definitely a new experience. I saw men and women who you’d think normally would be down and out, just bopp’n their heads and praising the Lord, and enjoying themselves as they grooved to some of the mix’s by DJ Holy Ghosts. Prodigal Child really ushered in the spirit of worship, with a few of his praise songs. Later on in the evening, he did a song that really encouraged many souls at the mission. He did a song about the Love of God towards us. In his song, he talked about “even though God loves us right now! He loved us when we were down and out, and that loving acceptance when we were so unloving, took us to a better place in Him!” He really blessed the mic.

Later, Minister Wendell brought a word that hit home with many souls in the building. I spoke talking with one brother after the event, and he confessed that he really needed to hear that word from the preacher. He said, “I really felt that message, and was touched by it”. The Lord really used us in a joint effort as 20 souls responded to the word of God by coming up to the altar for prayer. The highlight of the evening for me wasn’t just the music, but it was getting it in with brothers after the event, praying, talking, and sharing with them. I spoke with one brother until we were some of the last people standing in the UGM building. I found out that we had a lot in common with music, and he actually new some people that I know and not only did the Lord use me to encourage him, but the Lord used him to encourage me! In addition, it was just a blessing to get to know this brother, and share Christ with him during a tough time in his life. I am definitely looking forward to the next event and possibly doing some praise and worship again.

Matt Balling

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. – ( 1 Peter 2:9 )

_______________________________

The mission is just that, it is a mission field that the Lord Almighty prepared for those that are willing, and I personally have seen the wonderful works of God being fulfilled every-time I go. Seeds are planted and the love of Christ ministered into the lives of the lost and downtrodden, it is powerful to see God reach out and love those people at the mission and I thank Him that He allows me to be a part of it. Philippians. 2:13,Amen!

Bubby Wallace

_______________________________

I had a privilege to visit the Gospel Mission along with our church members and my husband. It was an incredible experience of witnessing God’s miraculous work among broken people. I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am praying to God to use me more in this ministry. I was so moved and touch by the testimony of those whose lives been transformed by the ministry of the Union Gospel Mission to restore their broken lives. I even invited brother Mike Blain to our Iranian church, who was former homeless for 9 years and God had miraculously restored him through the ministry of the Union Gospel Mission, and his testimony touched so many hearts that night. I thank God for our brother Ron Smith, and those who are faithfully and prayfully serving at the Union Gospel Mission. I love to be involved in transformations of God’s childrens lives. God bless you all.

Sincerely,

Khadijeh Baratzadeh-Askari

_______________________________

“When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.”

- Mother Teresa.

I have been a Christian for most of my life, but seldom have I been provided with opportunities to get out of the church walls in order to serve those who the heart of God longs for and belongs to. It has been a true blessing and a privilege to co-labor with everyone at Union Gospel Mission. I have been out there with my church’s youth group in order to worship with the men and women out at the mission. This experience has been wonderful. We have had the opportunity to spiritually feed those who may never have been fed, along with speakers and other TLBC Staff. We are able to worship and pray with individuals from all walks of life. This experience has helped me realize that we are called as Christians to get out of our pew and provide prayer and create an environment of worship where it is needed the most…outside of the church. And what an encouragement and blessing it is to see all His people worshipping Him, whether rich or poor,sick or healthy, lost or found. I encourage everyone to be broken for those that break God’s heart.

Iris Lopez

_______________________________

I walked into the UGM 18 years ago; a man broken in every way, and it was worship groups like the TLBC team that effected me so much. Hearing a different message every night helped to stretch my understanding of Scripture. As a graduate of TLBC, the rehabilitation program at the mission and now a missionary in Ukraine; God recently gave me an opportunity to speak at the mission. To take advantage of this opportunity I had to travel half way around the world. I loved adding to the lives at the mission, the way that so many did in my life. Praise Him Praise Him!!!

I encourage every student to participate in this ministry and to let it stretch you into the shape that God intends for you.

Rev. Mark Bohanan

_______________________________

I had the opportunity to go to the Union Gospel Mission and minister to the homeless. Being homeless for a few years myself, while I was stuck in my addiction, I thought it would be a wonderful experience to give back to the Lord. The service was great- worshiping the Lord, and the message brother Ron gave was fantastic! You know I pray for people to come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, but actually being able to pray with someone and lead them to Jesus was such an awesome experience- I will never forget it! I look forward to serving the Lord even more now. Thank You Jesus!

Don Edwards

_______________________________

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As a new student of TLBC, I was invited to the Union Gospel Mission Outreach, Friday May 15th. The Lord Jesus Christ moved in a powerful way in worship and the Word of God. The Bible text was II Chronicles 7:14 by guest speaker Ron Smith. Many responded to the altar call and rededicated their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ, and many received Christ for the first time. “..and great Grace was upon them all”, Acts 4:33b

Your brother in Christ,

Michael Williams

_______________________________

I’m back home from a fantastic service at Union Gospel Mission. What I witnessed was a God orchestrated service. TLBC students and a few others made an impact on the cast of lives in attendance. It reminds me of the type of people that Christ went out of his way to reach—the social out casts.

Prior to the service time the worship team sang Christmas Carols. There was a nice trio and then a Christian rapper—not the type of music for Sunday mornings—but with a clear spiritual message that connected with the audience. The rapper had their attention like no other!

Next Jeff Pouge, director of the STARS program in Sacramento, gave a clear message of how important our self-image is. Jeff was very methodical in clarifying that how we saw our self in the past is not who we are as a Child of God. It was very positive and encouraging. Many came forward for salvation and re-dedication. It was a productive night.

What satisfaction to know that I was part of such a successful team to encourage those that satan has brought down with discouragement. It was a good night!!

Jerry Turner