top of page
Ole Olsen
Founder
A story of God’s grace
Ole Olsen was born in Stavanger, Norway and raised in a Christian home, but left at age 17, shipped out as a sailor, sinking deeper into sin. Over time, his life was marked by hardship, including time in hospitals and jails, separation from his family, and a growing unrest within him. Though he found work, experienced moments of financial success, and even built a family, he later sent them away and continued in what he describes as a life without true peace, becoming increasingly aware of his need for God.
In 1907, after a period of deep conviction, prayer, and searching, Ole came to a turning point and encountered Jesus Christ in a life-changing way. He describes being set free from the power that had bound him and beginning a new life. He was later reunited with his family and, over time, felt led to minister to others. In 1926, he and others founded the Gateway Gospel Mission in Minneapolis so that others might hear the Gospel and experience the same hope he had found.
Read his full testimony here.
1926
1933
1940
Gateway Gospel Mission is founded
During the prosperity of the 1920s, much of the country looked toward a future of peace and progress—but in Minneapolis’ Gateway district, poverty, addiction, and hardship remained a daily reality. It was here that Ole Olsen, who had once lived a similar life himself, felt called to begin a mission. With a small group, he committed the work to God in prayer, borrowed $500, and opened the Gateway Gospel Mission on 117 Nicollet Avenue.
From the beginning, the need was overwhelming. The mission would open its doors for a Gospel service, and every seat would be filled. A meal would follow, and men were given a place to sleep on the floor. Each day, the line grew longer and began earlier. The thought of serving fewer people was never considered, even as resources were stretched. Lives were being changed for eternity. Throughout the Depression, no one ever went unfed at Gateway Gospel Mission.
Mission relocates to 111 Nicollet Ave
Magnus Hanson appointed superintendent
When Magnus Hansen became superintendent in 1940, he was already a man whose life had been transformed through the mission. 6 years earlier, he had come in broken—after decades away from the faith of his childhood, during which, as he writes, ‘drinking and carousing became my way of life.’ As a young man leaving home, his mother had told him, “Magnus, don’t forget God”. Years later, those words returned to him. One night, after hearing a song about meeting loved ones again, he was struck with the memory of his mother and the life he had left behind. That night, he cried out to God and gave his life to Christ. From that point on, he remained closely connected to the mission, sharing his story and encouraging others—often describing his own transformation as being “saved from the guttermost to the uttermost.”
Under Magnus’ leadership, the work of the mission expanded in many ways. While the core ministry continued, new efforts were added, including a servicemen’s center during World War II, a work camp program, and the formation of a Women’s Auxiliary in 1943. A tract publishing ministry began, summer tent crusades were held, and a weekly radio program on station WCAL was launched.
Money was never plentiful, but God continued to provide. In 1949, the mission received a significant gift when F.A. Anderson, a former board member and owner of the building at 111 Nicollet Avenue, bequeathed the property to the mission. With this, the ministry was able to provide clean rooms and shelter for up to 140 men.
1954
Thor Haugen appointed superintendent
When Thor Haugen became superintendent in 1954, he did not come to the work as someone who had always followed God closely. He writes that he had rebelled against the God his parents loved and spent years focused on farming and making money. He did well for a time, building up livestock and poultry, but later wrote that “money became a god” to him. He also tells how God graciously led him to a Christian girl, and that after a series of losses—his chickens died, his hogs died, and his tractor broke down—he was brought face to face with his need for Christ. After attending a service with Trudy, he accepted Christ while driving home one night, and from there his life took a different direction, eventually leading him to Bible school, ministry, and then Gateway Gospel Mission.
As superintendent, he continued the daily work of the mission while recognizing a deeper need among the men it served. Many required more than a meal, a bed, and a service—they needed time, guidance, and discipleship. This conviction led him to pursue a more long-term, residential approach to recovery that would shape the future of the ministry.
1962
First fellowship breakfast
In 1962, Thor began hosting pancake breakfasts on the first Saturday of each month to honor men graduating from the program. Over time, they became a steady gathering, with average attendance reaching around 130 people by 2000 and many regulars returning month after month. The food and music were usually good, but it was the testimonies of changed lives that kept people coming back. The breakfasts also became a natural way for new people to get connected to the work.
1970
New Hope Center expands to serve women with its first home
In 1970, New Hope Center opened its first home for women, expanding the ministry beyond the men’s program. The idea had been taking shape for years, even when there seemed to be little public recognition of the need. Because women struggling with alcoholism were less often seen on the streets, many did not believe the problem was significant.
The women’s ministry was one of the earlier efforts of its kind and had few models to follow. Over time it operated in two locations and under six directors before it was discontinued in 1984.
1984
Terry Hemsworth named executive director
As Thor Haugen approached retirement, the board struggled to find a successor. Years earlier, Thor had told Terry Hemsworth, “I always thought you would take over for me at New Hope Center.” At the time, Terry felt unqualified and pursued other work, eventually relocating to Iowa. After a series of changes and uncertainty about his next step, he reached back out. Following prayer and an interview, he was approved by the board and stepped into leadership.
In his early days, Terry lived at the Center and spent his time closely involved with the men. During his leadership, the nature of addiction ministry was changing, with new drugs and younger men coming through the program. In response, he pursued training in counseling and began integrating more intentional counseling methods, including group sessions. Even so, he made it clear that true transformation was not found in methods, but in a life changed through Jesus Christ.
1991
Gary Inselman named executive director
Gary Inselman first came to New Hope Center in 1981 after moving to Minneapolis in search of work. While staying with a friend at what is now North Central University—being sneaked into the dorm for a time—he was encouraged to visit the New Hope Center. There, he met Thor Haugen and began attending daily Bible studies. He later moved into the center and gradually took on responsibility. In 1991, the board asked him to become executive director.
Gary became known for his compassion for the men. When someone arrived intoxicated, staff would often ask, “Where’s Gary?” He would go outside—sometimes for over an hour, even in the winter without a coat—to listen, talk, and help. Under his leadership, the center quickly filled, and within weeks a waiting list developed. As the needs of the men changed, he emphasized Bible teaching, prayer, and care, while also recognizing that some men needed more time and practical support, including basic education and job skills. He began to pursue a larger facility that could provide space for both spiritual growth and practical training.
1996
Ministry relocates to 2739 Cedar Ave South
As the waiting list continued to grow and the existing facility remained limited in capacity, the need for a larger space became clear. Years earlier, a farmer who had heard about the ministry had willed a portion of his family farm to New Hope Center. When the property was later sold, the funds made it possible to consider a move and proceed without taking on debt.
During the search, a former nursing home at 2739 Cedar Avenue South was identified. As staff spent time fasting and praying for direction, the asking price of the building dropped. An offer was made and accepted, and in November 1996, New Hope Center relocated to the new facility. The expanded space allowed more men to stay longer and created room for both continued discipleship and practical training, including literacy and job-related skills.
1998
Dan Ward named executive director
2001
Partnership launches new women’s ministry initiative
In 2000, the trustees of New Hope Center completed fifteen months of prayer and discussion as they sought direction for the future of the ministry. And in 2001, this process led to a series of unanimous resolutions, including a commitment to actively develop a plan for a women’s recovery ministry and to incorporate it into the work of New Hope Center. Through partnerships with other ministries, plans began to take shape for serving women and their children using the same core principles that had guided the men’s program.
2006
The Healing House opens it doors
In 2006, New Hope Center opened its women’s program, The Healing House, marking the beginning of a dedicated ministry to serve women through Christ-centered recovery and discipleship.
bottom of page