In 2006, Luke and Karla Redus felt a calling to feed the homeless around them. Not sure exactly what to do, they bought five dozen eggs, two 3lb-bags of tater tots, and 200 flour tortillas totaling $27.54. The next day, they loaded up the car with their three boys and some homemade breakfast tacos and headed to downtown Conroe.
They intended to simply follow God’s leading to share His love and some good food with the homeless. But after a few meals under bridges and tossing a football with “Bull” and “Yakity Yak,” they quickly realized that God had bigger plans!
What started as a simple, God-given vision to feed the homeless, Compassion United, has grown into the most comprehensive support ministry in Montgomery County. Now, over a decade later, serving people is still at the heart of all we do yet with a more defined, dynamic purpose to provide outreach, relief and empowerment to those on the fringes of society.
Host Luke & Karla to speak at your next event. Spread the word about Compassion United by hosting awareness events in your home, office or church.
GROWTH
We choose to achieve what we’ve never achieved, dream bigger than we’ve ever dreamed, and learn what we’ve never known. (Eph. 3:20)
TRANSFORMATION
We will continually pursue education and experiential encounters with God so that our minds are renewed and our lives are transformed. (Romans 12:2)
IDENTITY
We believe the most transformative revelation we can have is what we believe about God and about ourselves. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
EMPOWERMENT
We will strive to build strong, supportive relationships that will be a synergistic force between those who are in the church family and those who need the church family. (Hebrews 10:24)
HONOR
We outdo one another in demonstrating extravagant honor because the level of value we have FOR one another influences the measure of the impact we have ON one another. (Romans 12:10)
After going through a difficult divorce, Adam’s drinking increased and he lost his home, job and family. He achieved a month of sobriety while living in a local shelter and attending Compassion United morning services, and was invited into the Freedom House. With the support and structure provided, Adam quickly went back to work full time in his trade as a machinist and began regular visits again with his young son.
Adam graduated from Freedom House in September of 2024. He says he is grateful for the stability of Freedom House, a steady job and the ability to be a consistent role model to his son. He is excited to pass onto Liam the gifts of sobriety and a positive mindset.
Before moving into Freedom House I was homeless, unemployed, addicted to meth and living at the Salvation Army after being evicted from my apartment. After some time in the transition house program I became employed, saved my money, and purchased a car. Having a stable place to live allowed me to enroll in school and I was awarded an NDT certification after making an A on my final practicum. I graduated from the program and now work and travel around the country doing welding inspections and accruing hours of on-the-job training to gain additional certifications. The Freedom House program taught me so much. I will never go back to that old lifestyle.
Growing up in the foster system, with the inconsistency of moving from placement to placement, Jaylen found himself stuck and struggling to make a life plan or manage life skills. He joined our residential transition program as a high school senior. He found a family and support system, celebrating prom and high school graduation during his stay in our men’s program. He later attended college and is now a proud member of the US Navy.
I came to Compassion United’s transition home for men in June of 2021. Prescription medication management due to a torn ACL had grown out of control, ending in a divorce and the loss of my career. Living with unbearable loneliness and having thoughts of ending my life, I did a google search and found Compassion United. Within 6 months I had a new outlook on life, graduated the program and moved to Colorado.
When I think back, I couldn’t have dreamed up the life I have today. God took everything that I thought would kill me and He used it to recreate me.
After my parents passed away within 18 months of each other, my life fell completely apart. I found myself pregnant, broken and alone. With nowhere to turn, a friend helped connect me to Compassion United. Within 3 days, I was moved into a transitional home and given all the help and support I needed. My past hasn’t been easy, but looking back now, I could never have dreamed of being where I am today. I am working full time, supporting my family, and raising my amazing daughter Miabella.
I moved to Houston after being hired for a new job, but once here, the job fell through. Knowing no one in the area, I was forced to live out of my car before relocating to the Salvation Army. I met people from Compassion United, who invited me into the women’s transitional home.During my stay there, I found a job, began saving money, and became house coordinator. Today, I am happily married and operate my own business. I give all the glory to God.
Mine was a heart filled with hate fueled by a difficult, trauma filled childhood and a long stay in prison. With the help of Compassion United’s Freedom House program, I found the direction I needed and my life has been radically changed. The encouraging, accepting network of mentors and friends has helped me explore my new-found identity and purpose. Compassion United took me in despite my background and showed me Christ like love. God has shown me I don’t need to live in guilt and shame any longer, and I hope to one day do the same for others who find themselves like I was.
After a back injury, I was prescribed pain killers to help me cope with my symptoms. It didn’t take long for the prescription to be insufficient for my pain, and within a few years of buying pills off the street, I found myself on the downward spiral of drug use, which cost me my job, my house and nearly all my possessions. Exhausted from life and with nothing left to give, I applied to Freedom House, and miraculously, I was accepted into the program. While there, I reestablished my relationship with God and began to regain my self-worth and mental clarity. I found a job again, went back to college, got married to my wife and reestablished healthy relationships with my family. God used Freedom House to save my life and provide a sense of peace and joy that I have never felt before.
Our team of extraordinary individuals have all answered a calling on their lives to serve the least of these.
Founder / CEO
Director of Empowerment Services
Director of Operations and Special Events
Director of Residential Programs
East Campus Director
Director of Mentor Program
Directors of Breakfast in the Park
Inner Healing Director
Director of Children and Youth Programs
Executive Assistant
Director of Communications
C4 Coordinator/ Asst. Director of Terry’s Tables
Our team of extraordinary individuals have all answered a calling on their lives to serve the least of these.
donate to staffOur Board of Directors serves to continually define and protect the mission of Compassion United. They provide tangible execution and extensive knowledge to help guide our strategic ministry objectives.
Director
Officer
Director / CFO
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director