Faith, healing, and community: The heart of Union Gospel Mission's Family Life Centre

Every day, Union Gospel Mission reaches people telling them about Jesus, and providing an opportunity for restoration, transformation, and healing.

One of the ways the ministry does that is through its Family Life Centre in the heart of Winnipeg's North End, on Pritchard Avenue.

Between the group prayer on Mondays and Fridays, Bible studies on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and ladies' day on Wednesdays, coming into the building is more than just a job for Tina LaBelle, who has been with UGM for over 25 years.  

"It's not a job, I did tell my family once that you know what when I started working at the family life centre, if I could do this for free I would and they got upset with me. You don't work for free," LaBelle said.

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Union Gospel Mission has not only been a job for LaBelle for over 25 years but has also been transformative in her own relationship with Christ.

"There's a lot of benefits to being here and one of them is getting closer to the Lord. I'm learning stuff every day, what the girls teach me and what I teach them. It's a give and take."

The Family Life Centre is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and sees hundreds of people come through its doors. Not only does the centre offer several programs but it also has free clothing for ladies & children can be found at this depot.

Besides growing her relationship with God, getting to know everyone who comes through the doors has been a highlight for LaBelle over the years as well. "It's a very positive place to be."

Over her time at Union Gospel Mission, LaBelle has seen God soften her heart, "I don't get angry like I used to and I don't yell all the time either. He just took that away."