Tim Lane came to the Union Gospel Mission in 2005 with a wealth of experience from different fields of endeavor.

Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Tim moved to California with his family in 1959. He began his career in the heating and air conditioning trade, and in 1982 acquired TH Air Conditioning Inc., which Tim owned and operated for over 15 years.

In 1994 Tim discovered and became a regular volunteer of the Union Gospel Mission in Sacramento, where he had the opportunity to preach and work with the homeless for the first time.

In 1999 Tim felt the call of God in his life. Called in 2001 as the pastor of Rioso Road Baptist Church in Sheridan, California, Tim is today an ordained minister of the Gospel.

Along with his many responsibilities as the director of the Union Gospel Mission, Tim is still Pastor of Rioso Road Baptist Church. Pastor Tim’s love for the homeless and passion for the Gospel have combined to make him one of the most popular teachers at the mission.

His weekly “Hero’s of the Faith class,” gives him the opportunity to share inspirational stories of faith and develop relationships with men in the rehabilitation program.

A native of Somerville, New Jersey, Steve Jarrett served his country in the Navy, and then went to work as a chemical laboratory technician for a large pharmaceutical company.

Like so many, he became addicted to alcohol and sought help from the Union Gospel Mission. Here he discovered people who not only helped him with his addiction, but also genuinely cared for him as a person.

After successfully completing the program, Steve decided to lend his own talents to the mission, and became a full time employee in 1986. A meticulous worker, Steve found his niche in the accounting department, and served as manager of donor records for 19 years.

His love for the homeless and wealth of experience has proven invaluable, and in March of 2005 Steve was promoted to the role of assistant manager of The Union Gospel Mission.

This expansive new role allows Steve to use his experience in every area of the mission, and inspires him to say, “I just love what I do.”

After a successful career as an electronic technician with the civil service, Jim Hughes felt the call of
God to serve the homeless in a full time capacity. In 1977 Jim joined us as the mission’s program director.

In 1978 Jim was promoted to the role of assistant director of the mission, and in 1980 accepted the directorship of The Twin Cities Rescue Mission in Marysville. After 6 years as director, Jim returned to serve at the Union Gospel Mission in Sacramento.

For more than 23 years, Jim has faithfully served in virtually every capacity needed, but believes his most valuable role is working directly with the men.

Don came to the Union Gospel Mission in 2004 with a wealth of important experience and a genuine love for helping others. He graduated from the College of San Mateo with a degree in business administration in 1955, and spent the next 30 years in sales and marketing.

Over the course of his career, Don received many awards for his outstanding marketing achievements, and was promoted to regional sales director for his company.

Despite this success, Don wanted to accomplish more in his life. He began a second career with City Team Ministries in San Jose, where he served as Development Officer from 1988 to 2001.

An ordained minister, Don served as Associate Pastor of Good News Chapel in So. San Francisco, Interim Pastor of First Baptist Church of Morgan Hill, and Senior Pastor of Gilroy Christian Church from 1994 to 2000.

These ministries gave Don a breadth of experience that few people have. After his retirement from City Team Ministries in 2001, it didn't take Don long to realize God still had plans for him, and in 2004 he came to the Union Gospel Mission in Sacramento.

Today, Don coordinates programs, works with outside agencies, and assists in the training of Union Gospel Staff.

Tom Mooney was drafted into the U.S. Air Force in 1972, and served there for the next 4 years. In 1977, Tom surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and began a rewarding career that has taken him from street ministries to recovery homes, to churches.

In 1994 he was called to Berean Christian Ministries in Rocklin, California. In the same year a new church, Last Day’s Harvest Ministries was founded, and Tom Mooney became their senior pastor, a position he holds to this day.

After serving as a volunteer at The Union Gospel Mission for 10 years, Tom was asked to join the staff in 2002 in the role of Chaplain. His many years in street ministries, and his musical talents give him a unique perspective and ability to relate to the men, and he has become one of the mission’s most popular teachers.

On November 12th 2010, Eileen Trussell joined the Union Gospel Mission family. Eileen believes that God sent her to the mission, a feeling that is shared by all the staff.

Having grown up 45 minutes north of NYC, she moved to Southern Cal. in 1987 and landed in a career of real estate. She moved up to Sacramento in 1994, and by 1998, she and her husband David had their own real estate/mortgage office.

Eileen accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1996. Along with the greatest gift of salvation, she and David are blessed with two lovely daughters, Jessica and Michelle.

Since 2008, Eileen volunteered at her Church, Calvary Chapel of Sacramento, as their Secretary. It was another God-anointed, directed and inspired time, knowing that it prepared her for her current position today. She is truly grateful for everything the Lord has done for her in her personal life and career, and knows He has big plans to use her at Union Gospel Mission.

Chris attended Western Illinois and DePaul Universities, and graduated in 1976 as an honor’s student with a degree in business administration. He furthered his education at the Illinois Banking School at Southern Illinois University, and in 1977 began teaching at the American Institute of Banking and the U.S. League of Savings Associations.

In 1978, after being recruited by a major savings and loan, Chris moved to Fresno California where he assisted his new employer in their conversion to a bank charter.

Chris also gained valuable experience working as a loan officer assisting victims of natural disasters. It was through this work that Chris discovered the rewarding effects of helping others, and in 1988 he joined The Union Gospel Mission.

Chris Cunico works in the accounting department of the mission, where he is an invaluable asset to every facet of our business administration.

Chris says “I thank God for the opportunity to perform his work and I am heartened every day when I see God’s blessings poured over the homeless population.”

One of many Union Gospel Mission success stories, David Lytle is a native Californian and an inspiration to all those around him. After his graduation from high school in 1976, David honed his skills in the construction industry, working in many different capacities and developing well-rounded abilities.

For all his talent, David was unable to overcome his struggles with alcohol and by 1998 he was out of a job and homeless.

Three years went by before David found himself at the door of The Union Gospel Mission, where he found a home and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Like many graduates, David’s experiences at the mission and deliverance from addiction, gave him an overwhelming urge to give back to others.

A native of West Frankfort, Illinois, David Lynch moved to the west coast in 1943.

After completing high school, David enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953, spent 2 years on active duty and 6 years with the reserves.

As a young adult and even through his military endeavors, David never drank alcohol. His first job was with The American Can Company as a forklift driver. Many times the guys at work had encouraged David to join them at the local bar for a drink on the way home, and every time David had refused.

One night David relented, and as he says, “It was the start of me walking down a road that no child of God should ever walk down.”

David was fired from that job for drinking, and for the next 20 years, regardless of the endeavor he chose, each job was lost for the same reason. “Life for me was over,” said David, “living on the streets eating when I could, I was hopeless until on September 7th 1993 I came to the mission, and my life changed forever!”

After successfully completing the program, David became a full time employee of The Union Gospel Mission, and is a positive asset to everyone with whom he comes in contact. Today, David handles all of the deliveries for the mission and has a regular route with Safeway stores 6 days a week.

Greg Baker moved to Sacramento California in 1967 and attended four different Christian High Schools. Upon graduation, Greg joined the U.S. Air Force and served his country for the next 4 years.

At the age of 25 Greg found the Union Gospel Mission and a career he truly loves. Greg has served the mission in a variety of jobs for more than 20 years, selflessly taking on any task he has been asked to address. His favorite job involves working in the front office with daily data entry.

Tireless and dedicated to the plight of the homeless, Greg is the ultimate team player. His spirit is contagious and he truly represents what The Union Gospel Mission is all about.

A native of Sacramento, Donny’s first job was working as a roughneck in the oil fields of Oklahoma back in the late ‘70s. He found the work both financially and personally rewarding, and Donny spent the next 7 years working with his hands at jobs throughout the U.S., even spending some time in the Virgin Islands.

By 1999 he had even tried his hand at gold mining, and in 2000 found himself building houses in the state of Arkansas. Yet all the skills he learned and rewards he earned weren't enough to protect him from the challenges of addiction.

By 2001, a combination of drugs and alcohol had taken its toll on Donny and lead to a series of bad decisions that left him homeless.

On January 8th, 2002 Donny came to The Union Gospel Mission, and 2 weeks later gave his heart to Christ. With renewed determination he enrolled in the rehabilitation program, and graduated on November 22nd 2002 with an entirely new outlook on life.

Grateful for his life changing experiences at the mission, Donny decided to share with others what God had done for him, and in 2003 began his internship as a cook. By the next year he was the head cook at The Union Gospel Mission, and because of his leadership abilities was promoted to ranch manager of Eagles Nest Ranch in August of 2005.

Donny Braninburg is committed to the work he does because of the difference he makes in the lives of others, and The Union Gospel Mission is a better place because he’s here.

Born in Chicago Illinois, Joe Flynn moved to California in 1960. After graduating from high school Joe went into the heating and air conditioning business with his father. Struggles with alcohol meant that Joe eventually found himself on the streets of Reno, Nevada, homeless.

For the next 10 years, Joe was in and out of rescue missions from Sacramento to Reno until in 1992 he entered the rehabilitation program at the Union Gospel Mission in Sacramento.

Determined to turn his life around, Joe graduated from the program in 1993 and became a full time employee in 1996.

Joe has been sober for 10 years, and brings both understanding and an inspiring life story to those who are where he once was.

Joe Flynn is much more than just a night supervisor. A dedicated employee Joe works in many capacities at the mission, and is a shining example of a regenerate man.

Bill Barnard was born in Pontiac, Michigan, the son of a Marine Corps Sergeant who later became an Assemblies of God Pastor.

In 1971 Bill graduated from high school and gave his heart to Christ. As a new Christian, Bill attended Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri and played on the school basketball team. After 2 years he decided to enter the world of business and worked for a leading retailer from 1973 to 1977.

In July of 1977, Bill made the decision to move to California, where he accepted a position working in private security. He met his wife Ruth in 1982, and continued to work in a series of jobs that helped him provide for his family, but not his sense of calling.

In 2000, he discovered how he could make a difference at The Union Gospel Mission. Bill believes strongly that God opened doors that led him to this ministry, and loves that the work he does makes an impact daily in the lives of others.

As The Union Gospel Mission night manager, Bill Barnard is on the front line every day as he works and interacts with homeless men and women. His care and concern for each person is what makes him so valuable to all of us here at the mission.

Robin Guilieri grew up in Boulder Creek, California and graduated from San Lorenzo Valley High School. She went on to become a Fashion Buyer, and worked in Retail Management. She is married with two children, and was a stay at home Mom before God clearly directed her to the Union Gospel Mission.

She has always had a heart for the homeless and the needy, and started as a volunteer in 2005 working in the offices, and serving dinner once a month. Then the Mission decided to open a Women's Clothes Closet. Because of her extensive background in Fashion, she was very excited to be involved in setting it up, and getting it running.

In 2006, she joined the Mission family as an Administrative Assistant in the Finance Department. She also serves as the Women's Clothes Closet Coordinator, working directly with homeless and needy Women weekly.

"I absolutely love working at the Union Gospel Mission. It is a privilege to work with fellow Christians who have a similar desire to show the love of God to the lost and hurting. I find great joy in helping those in need. You just can't put a price tag on that!"