Mercy In-House Reporter Interviews Holly Wagner and Mercy Grads!

Hey Everyone,

Eve here! I always love when I get a chance to stop by Nancy’s blog!

So, most of the time I wear my Executive Director of Communications hat around here and it’s a HUGE blessing, but on some occasions, I get to play roaming resident reporter... One of my favorite things to do by the way! This time, I had the honor of interviewing an incredible group of our Mercy heroes, graduates of the program, about our special guest speaker today at the Nashville home, Holly Wagner! Holly is a mother, teacher, speaker, author, leader of GodChicks, and co-pastor of Oasis Christian Center in Los Angeles, California, but she is also one of Nancy’s favorite people and a long-time supporter of Mercy. Please enjoy hearing some of her words of wisdom – I know it will bless your day – it certainly fired me up!

Thank you, Holly for investing your time and talent and pouring into our girls! Also, a special thanks to all of our amazing graduates who came back to visit today and made sure they didn't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most gifted speakers of our generation.

James River Women’s Rally This Friday – You Need To Be There!!!

Hey Everyone!

Nancy’s Executive Assistant, Katelyn here…I am so excited to get to attend the James River Women’s Rally this Friday night in Springfield, MO hosted by Debbie Lindell, and I hope to see you there! John and Debbie Lindell are the lead pastors of James River Assembly, and Debbie has done an amazing job of growing the women’s ministry there. It is always a joy to get to spend time in Springfield and be a part of what’s going on at James River. This Friday night, the special guest speaker will be Candace Cameron, known for her role as “DJ Tanner” on the ABC series Full House. You definitely do not want to miss out on hearing Candace’s story of growing up as a child star and how she came to know the Lord! For more information about the Women’s Rally, check out http://www.jamesriverwomen.org/events.cfm. Also, for more information about Candace Cameron, check out her website at http://www.candacecameronbure.net.

From left to right: Debbie Lindell, Debbie’s daughter Savannah, Katelyn, and Nancy

I’m also looking forward to getting to see one of our Mercy graduates, Rachael (pictured right), who is now attending the James River Leadership Academy! Rachael graduated from Mercy in Nashville in February of 2010 and is doing awesome!!! Overall, I cannot wait to be in Springfield to see Rachael and be a part of this women’s event! Would love to see you there if you’re in the area!!!

2003 Mercy Graduate Now Mercy Staff!!!

We are so excited to welcome Tabitha to our corporate staff! Tabitha came to Mercy in 2002 with an unplanned pregnancy. After making the brave decision to place her baby for adoption, Tabitha graduated in 2003 and returned home to walk out the freedom she received in Christ through Mercy Ministries. Fast forward to several years later, and Tabitha is now married with two precious children. I wanted to share with you what Tabitha had to say when I asked her about coming on staff at Mercy to serve the hurting young women who are in the same place that Tabitha once found herself…

"Eight years ago this month I stood proudly, told my story of how God changed my life, and graduated from the Mercy home in Nashville. I went from being a "Mercy girl" to a "Mercy grad." As of a few days ago, I am not only a life that has been changed by Mercy, but am now a part of changing the lives of others. I went from being a "Mercy grad" to part of the Mercy staff. I am so very proud of the place Mercy Ministries holds in my life. I can't help but be excited about this next chapter in my story. I now have the privilege of giving back!" – Tabitha

To all of our supporters, we want you to know that one of the many young women that you have helped support through a difficult time is now working at Mercy and giving back to others. Welcome to the Mercy staff, Tabitha!!! We are so proud of you!

Tabitha pictured with her husband, Joseph, and two kids – Adelai (left)
and Scarlet (right)

Mercy Graduate Goes To Haiti And Gives Back…

It’s been almost a year since Kelly graduated from our Mercy program in Nashville. Already, Kelly is out there giving back to others what she herself received. It was our joy to be one of the many people that helped sponsor Kelly for a recent missions trip to serve orphan children in Haiti. It is my great joy to share with you an awesome report that Kelly just sent to me. The pictures are amazing and so are Kelly’s words…

Dear Nancy,

I just wanted to take a few minutes to tell you about my mission trip to Haiti. First of all, it was AMAZING! I was on a team with ten other people from my church and God really worked through us and in us while we were in Haiti. Every morning we did physical work alongside Haitians who live in the community we were working in. This included painting a new dorm at an orphanage, working on a farm and helping make a road so that the residents of the community can get to a new garden to get food for their families. In the afternoon, we spent time with kids at orphanages and schools.

The first morning we were at the orphanage painting and I felt so uncomfortable and unable to minister to the kids because I was unable to communicate with them due to language barriers. After I finished painting, I was standing off to the side wishing I had never decided to go to Haiti because I felt so inadequate to minister to anyone. A few minutes later a little girl named Jessica came over, grabbed me by the hand and led me over to the water pump. She then took her time pumping water and cleaning every drop of paint off of my arms, hands and even finger nails! The whole time she was doing it, she was just looking up at me and smiling. She obviously understood that words are not required to show love and taught me that valuable lesson! As soon as she was done washing my hands, a ton of other little kids gathered around and I realized that they just wanted someone to love them, play with them and hold them. That morning was my favorite time of the whole trip and I really feel like those little kids were used by God to remind me of His perfect love. I was reminded by that little 5-year-old girl that God can and will use anyone who is willing and open, despite our perceived limitations! I will never forget my time in Haiti and am so grateful that I was given that chance.

One night, I was sitting outside enjoying the beautiful stars and started thinking about the road that led me to where I am now and was totally overwhelmed. God has truly taken me from the pit of despair and hopelessness and has given me new life! These pictures are from that amazing morning at the Matthew 28 orphanage! Thank you so much for your support for this trip, but even more for all that Mercy has done for me. My life has been changed forever because of all of the love and support that I received during my time at Mercy!

Love,
Kelly

Kelly, we are so very proud of you!!! To all of our wonderful supporters, your support of Mercy Ministries is an investment in the lives of the young women we serve as well as all the people they will eventually reach through their own efforts in ministry. We thank God for you!!!

Local Church Gives $65K To The Work Of Mercy…

Pastors John and Debbie Lowe of New Life Christian Church in Warsaw, IN invited me several months ago to speak at their Sunday morning service on Sunday, April 17th. What a special day it proved to be as Pastor John presented me with a check for $65,000 to be used to continue enabling us to take in young women from all 50 states free of charge. This gift was especially timely because of the great need which currently exists. I was very moved by the generosity of the individuals and leaders of this great church. This gift comes in addition to the monthly support that New Life Christian Church has given to Mercy for years and years.



We first connected with these awesome pastors 20 years ago when they were chosen by one of our Mercy birth mothers as the adoptive couple for her child. I had the privilege of seeing Brightie come into the world, and now I have the privilege of watching her grow up and even watch the ministry that she is now a part of at such a young age. Not only is Brightie a tremendous youth leader in their church, but she also plays the drums on the worship team and is currently doing an internship working with teenage girls who have life-controlling issues.

Brightie playing the drums!

Brightie is a vibrant young woman who knows who she is and understands her purpose, and Pastors John and Debbie have done an amazing job of raising her in the ways of God. She is passionate to serve and help others.

Me with Brightie!

It was also my joy to be joined by Christian artist Ayiesha Woods. It was such an honor to see her and to meet her husband, Joseph, as she and I did a conference together in the UK a couple of years ago when she was still single.

Me with Pastors John and Debbie Lowe and Ayeisha Woods and her husband, Joseph

I also had the privilege of hosting two of our Mercy graduates. One from 2007 and one who just graduated three weeks ago. They joined me on the platform and shared a bit of their stories with the people in attendance.

With graduates Bethany and Aubrey

There was also a couple there whose daughter will be graduating from Mercy this very week and another couple whose daughter just came in to the program. It was a tremendous day of blessing for all who shared it. A special thanks to Pastors John and Debbie Lowe for their amazing hearts to give to and serve others, and to give back!!!

Original Conference, New Friends, And A Rockin’ Church!!!

It was my great joy to be a part of the Original Women’s Conference in Rockford, IL this past Thursday through Saturday. I was so impressed with Pastors Jeremy and Jen DeWeerdt of Rockford First Church who are doing such a tremendous work in their city! These young pastors are reaching so many people of all ages, but especially the younger generation.

ME AND PASTORS JEREMY AND JEN

The conference was so much fun, and it was so cool to hear the other speakers as well including conference host, Jen Deweerdt, Lisa Bevere, Erin Campbell, and Lisa Yonke. I had the privilege of speaking at the closing session, and truly felt that I connected heart-to-heart with the women in attendance.

CONFERENCE HOST, JEN, ME, AND SPECIAL SPEAKER, LISA YONKE

After the closing of the conference, I had the privilege of speaking to the students in their leadership and ministry training program. What a great group of young people that are being raised up to do the work of the Kingdom with a pure heart and passion to serve.

IT WAS SO COOL TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO SHARE WITH THESE STUDENTS – THEY’RE AWESOME!!

I highly recommend Rockford First Church if you are ever anywhere near the Rockford area. In fact, it’s even worth the hour drive from Chicago to check this place out. These pastors are definitely servant leaders, and no matter what age you are, you can certainly learn from them – I KNOW I DID!!!

MY EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, KATELYN, AND ME WITH OUR AWESOME HOST AND DRIVER, KYNDAL!!! (THANKS FOR ALL THE STARBUCKS, KYNDAL! :) )

Join Us If You Can...

So excited to be with Pastors Jeremy and Jen DeWeerdt of Rockford First at their annual Original Women’s Conference in Rockford, IL. The conference was kicked off last night with Lisa Bevere, today’s speakers have been awesome, and tonight we will hear from conference host, Jen DeWeerdt. I have the privilege of speaking tomorrow, and I cannot wait! Rockford First is an amazing church and definitely making a difference in their community. If you are anywhere near Rockford, we’d love to see you! Check out www.rfa.cc for more details!

Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be heading to Warsaw, IN for a special service on Sunday morning with Pastors John and Debbie Lowe of New Life Christian Church at 10:00 AM CST. For more information, check out www.ihavenewlife.com.

Hope you have a great weekend!