From Washington, DC to Miami, FL

I’m on my way to the airport – what else is new?! I’m excited about our Mercy regional event in Washington, DC tomorrow where I will be speaking, along with several of our graduates. It’s always so good to get to hook up personally with our supporters who live in different parts of the country. If you are interested in helping us put on a regional event in your area, please contact Heather Robinson at hrobinson@mercyministries.com.

After our Washington, DC event, I will be making my way to Miami, FL for a live television show with Cece Winans on Monday evening. I always love it when I get to be with Cece. She is such a great friend, and I always love it when I get to hang out with her! If you’re interested in seeing the program it will be aired internationally on the TBN Network. Check local listings for specific channels.

Me with CeCe Winans

Former Mercy Residents Head to the Mission Field

We recently had two former Mercy Ministries residents go on missions trips and I just wanted to highlight some of their experiences. Kathryne went to Haiti as part of the relief efforts to help with victims of the devastating Earthquake that occurred earlier this year. Brittany travelled all the way to South Africa to minister to people in the slums and run Vacation Bible School for the children living there.

Hundreds of our former residents have gone on missions trips since Mercy started more than 27 years ago. We are so privileged to have helped them through a portion of the money you’ve donated during that time. I wanted you to see that your gifts are making a difference and are even reaching other nations!

Kathryne with some of the children who were
affected by the Earthquake in Haiti

Kathryne playing games

Kathryne with her missions group in front of the home they built

Brittany with one of the children they ministered to in South Africa

Brittany surrounded by kids during one of their outreach days

2000 GIRLS ATTEND JAMES RIVER WOMEN’S RALLY…

This past Friday night in Springfield, MO at James River “Run Like a Girl” Women’s Rally, and it was a great turnout of registrants and volunteers - 2,000 total. I can honestly say that speaking at this event was extra special! Anyone who knows me very well can vouch for my love for sports. Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are those that admonish or talk about training to win the prize and be the best you can be for God. It was definitely a night to remember!!

The theme scripture for the night was Hebrews 12: 1-2 (CEV), “Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete.” This scripture was even printed on an event shirt that I had the privilege of wearing while I was speaking – SO FUN!!!

Debbie Lindell is an amazing leader (Pictured right). She knows how to gather and inspire women of all ages to work together to serve the needs of humanity. There was even a post-rally party that lasted until almost midnight, and the women had a chance to show off their sports skills with such games as flag football, basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, and a take-off of The Amazing Race. It was an amazing set up as they had the games set up on the vast grounds outside the church!

If you think this looks cool, you need to consider attending Debbie’s annual women’s conference, Designed for Life, September 30 – October 2, 2010 – click here to check it out. You will definitely not be disappointed!!!

I want to personally thank Debbie and her team for an amazing time!

Debbie and me praying with team leaders prior to the event

Debbie getting it all started

Pre-Rally fun

A time of Praise and Worship

Me sharing the Message

Run Like A Girl – TONIGHT!

I am so excited to be at James River with Pastors John and Debbie Lindell! If you’re a chick and you live in the Springfield, MO area, you definitely do not want to miss this very special rally tonight. God is raising up an army of women who know who they are, and who are committed to speaking out against injustice in the earth. Not only that, but we’re having a whole lot of fun in the process!!!

Click here for more information about tonight’s “Run Like A Girl” event.

Hope to see you there!!!

Debbie’s daughter, Savannah, Debbie, My Executive Assistant, Katelyn, and Me

Mercy Girl Becomes Ensign in US Navy!!

Check this out! Hannah walked through the doors totally broken and today she’s helping protect our country…

Hello Nancy,

This is Hannah. I graduated from Mercy in Nashville in 2005 and have been doing wonderful... I just completed OCS (Officer Candidate School) and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. I am now an officer and training to be a surface warfare officer. I will be in Newport, Rhode Island for 4 weeks of surface warfare training...then off to San Diego for more training then off to my permanent station on the USS Chafee (DDG 90) in Pearl Harbor. I wanted to update you on my status and let you know how I was doing and that the Lord is good and with Him, I will lead the fleet on His mighty seas.

Love,
Hannah

I am so proud of Hannah and all that she has worked so hard to accomplish! Please pray for Hannah’s safety as she serves our country so that we can continue to live in the “land of the free!”

Mercy Resident Gives Birth!

Mercy resident, Sharayah, just gave birth to a baby last Monday and has chosen to parent. I have the privilege of posing with this handsome young man and his very special mom right after she left the hospital and came by Mercy to show off her special man. Please pray for her as she begins to walk out her life as a mother who is committed to raise her son in the ways of God. Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Don't Miss This...

This past Wednesday night in Atlanta, Georgia, it was my great joy to emcee a service that featured amazing stories from five of our graduates from years 2002 through 2009. So many have asked for video clips from these events, so please take the time. YOU WILL BE SO GLAD YOU DID!!! Even though I already know these girls’ stories, I was still moved beyond my ability to fully express…

Shocking Report About Sex Trafficking of Minors in America

I am deeply troubled by a report I received yesterday from a high level person in Washington, DC who is involved in the battle against sex trafficking in our own nation. I felt the best way that I could help us wake up about this horrible injustice happening in our own land is to actually quote a portion of this report. As shocking as this may be, it is time for us to get out of denial about the fact that these things are not just problems happening in other countries, but that they are happening right here in our own country!!

A portion of the report reads…
“While many know the horrors of international sex trafficking, sexual violence and trafficking of American girls remains largely invisible, experts estimate that each year at least 100,000 children in the United States are exploited through prostitution.

These girls who are bought and sold for sex are just that - girls, most between the ages of 12 and 14. They are sexually exploited for their youth, routinely raped, beaten into submission and even tattooed like cattle by their pimps. Shockingly, those who traffic American girls are rarely prosecuted.”

It is because of alarming reports such as this that the focus on “31 Days of Freedom” is so important. I hope this outrages you to the point that you will want to get involved in some way! We at Mercy are partnering with Natalie Grant and The Home Foundation to do our part. We would love for you to check out The Home Foundation’s website at www.thehomefoundation.net or go to the Mercy Ministries website and click on “Sex Trafficking News” to learn more.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO REGULARLY FOLLOW MY BLOG, I WILL BE POSTING AGAIN LATER TODAY WITH SOME AWESOME HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK.

1995 Mercy Graduate Still Going Strong!

I remember when Lisa first came to Mercy and was such a broken and confused young woman. It blows me away to see all that God has done in her life, and I wanted to share it with you. I can’t improve on her own words…

Hey Nancy,

Ya know this life I'm living today wouldn't be possible without you and Mercy Ministries. Attached is a recent family picture that we had taken on Timmy’s 2nd birthday (May 11th), along with our dog Dexter! (Lisa fell in love with the Mercy shelties when she was in the program, and chose to make that their choice for a family dog for their son!) I am so thankful for all the help I received while in the program. I'm so blessed with such a great husband and handsome little boy who I love and adore. Plus, I'm a part of a great church with such awesome Pastors! God used Mercy Ministries to turn my life around and He has used the church that I attend to bring more growth in my walk with the Lord. Praise God for faithful people such as yourself and my Pastors. I am so blessed! I could have never imagined that life could be this good before going to Mercy. What an awesome God we serve!

Hope you enjoy the picture...
Love you,
Lisa

To all of our supporters I want to say this – your investment into the young women of today brings forth changed lives and changed families 15 years down the track, and also affects the next generation. Thanks for investing today for tomorrow’s leaders!

Highlights from Dare to Dream!

I just returned from the three day Dare to Dream conference this past weekend in Murfreesboro, TN. It was such a joy to be hosted by State Director Shelayne McDaniel and her team. The opening night featured Shelayne McDaniel laying out her heart and vision for the weekend, followed by new Sparrow Recording Artist, Sarah Reeves, who at age 19 related to our Mercy girls on so many levels. Here she is shown leading us in a late night concert and worship experience.



My dear friend Lisa Bevere, spoke in two session and I did two sessions as well. The weekend impacted our girls in so many ways, and we are still hearing testimonies from them of all the breakthroughs they received. I thought you might enjoy an inside look at some of the highlights…

Mercy Multiplied at Out of the Box Event in Ohio!!!

A number of weeks ago I received a call from Sylvia Crawley, who is the head women’s basketball coach at Boston College. Coach Crawley shared with me about an annual event she has in her home town of Steubenville as a way of sharing Christ and doing a fun event in the place she grew up. As part of the event, Sylvia asked me if I would be willing to send a couple of Mercy graduates with powerful stories that could share with the youth and those in attendance. The Out of the Box event took place last weekend, and Kim and Ally told about their stories of healing and transformation…

Kim shared how she had been abused and used self-harm to cope, and Ally shared how she overcame struggling with an eating disorder. God has totally and completely set Kim and Ally free and they are now living their lives for God! Kim is in school at Langston University getting her degree in Psychology, and Ally is currently doing an internship at the St. Louis Dream Center.

This event was such a cool opportunity to see our graduates share their stories of freedom and express their gratitude to our supporters showing that Mercy is truly multiplied. Below is a picture of Coach Crawley along with graduates Ally and Kim, and singer, Kelli Brownlee.

Pictured Left to Right: Kelli, Kim, Coach Crawley, and Ally

Excited about Dare to Dream and speaking with Lisa Bevere!

This weekend I am so looking forward to the opportunity to speak with my dear friend Lisa Bevere, who is our main speaker for this weekend’s conference hosted by Shelayne McDaniel. Check out this cool website to get all the details - www.oneheartladies.org .

It’s not often that I am headed to a conference without getting on an airplane, but this weekend I can actually get to get in my car and drive 30 miles to be a part of this. So excited this is taking place at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, TN, which is basically a short skip and hop from Nashville. I know God has great things in store for us!! It’s not too late for you to come out, as registration is still available either online or onsite. As I said, see the website for details www.oneheartladies.org . Would love to see you all there!

Happy 4th of July!!!

I can’t think of anything better to do on the 4th of July than to go speak at a church on the beach. It was my great blessing yesterday, as I was invited to speak to a private group that celebrates freedom every 4th of July by meeting at a particular private beach in Florida to enjoy family time together with special friends, and to thank God together for the freedom we enjoy in our nation. Thought you might enjoy this picture…

Female Addict Bound for Thirty Years – Set Free in One Day!

It’s been almost two years since I had the privilege of proclaiming liberty and freedom from the stage of GodChicks to those who were in the audience. I remember specifically telling everyone there that day that if there was anyone struggling with life-controlling issues such as addictions, eating disorders, cutting, etc. that freedom is available. I specifically remember sharing Deuteronomy 30:19 “this day I set before you life and death…choose life…”

I don’t fully understand how God’s power works, but I do know that He promised us if we would go forth and proclaim His Word that He would watch over His Word to perform it in the lives of people. I challenged those there that day to CHOOSE LIFE!

It was a short time later during the break that the ushers at GodChicks brought a woman over to me who had a black bag full of drugs and drug paraphernalia. I remember specifically that she gave the bag to me and cried out, “I want life!” It was then that I had the privilege of praying for her and leading her to the God who brings freedom. A few weeks later, on October 15th, 2008, I received this email that I want to share with you…

Dear Nancy,

I met you at the September 20 GodChicks conference in LA. I am a 42 year old victim of sexual abuse. I was a drug addict for 30 years. I came to you (with my black bag) to fully surrender my addictions over to Jesus Christ as my last attempt to rid myself of that hell. You prayed over me at the altar at the church AND I HAVE NOT DONE DRUGS SINCE. I gave you my black bag that was full of paraphernalia and drugs. That was the last time I ever wanted drugs again. Jesus took it away from me. YEA!!

YOU HELPED JESUS SAVE MY LIFE AND I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. I have you in my prayers every night and have shared my testimony with many of the people at Oasis Church in LA.
Because of you and the GodChicks, and of course Jesus, I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!!!!!

Thank you so much for the powerful words you said to me that day. I am truly free. And now that I am clean from drugs, instead of hiding from the world in fear of my next relapse, I have the power and love and sound mind of Jesus Christ!

30 years I walked with the monkey on my back. NOW IT IS GONE!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU and God Bless You ALWAYS!!!

Denise

PS - I have since started sifting through the garbage in my life that sexual abuse created. I am doing bondage breaking with 2 women at Oasis and actually have for the 1st time in my life the hope of being a normal person, ready to be a contributing factor to God's Kingdom.

You are truly a special woman, and after God has finished making me whole, I would like to donate some time to helping you with Mercy Ministries.

I AM a child of God
Warrior Princess
Daughter of the King!!!

D~Vine

Fast Forward to this Week – Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I knew that if Denise continued down the path of freedom, that I would one day have her share her story at one of our Mercy Ministries homes. The time came this past weekend as we made the journey to Sacramento, after experiencing the GodChicks conference in L.A. together. It was there that Denise shared her story publicly for the very first time. Her words were so powerful as she touched the hearts of the 40 residents that are currently in the Sacramento Mercy home. I want you to see pictures from that very special time. It was so awesome to see the power that comes when we make a choice and the freedom that follows us as a result.

Denise hanging out with some of the girls after sharing her testimony!

On this weekend when we choose to celebrate our freedom as a nation, I want to emphasize the freedom that comes through the power of the cross of Jesus Christ. If you are reading this, and you are bound by anything at all, I want you to know that you can be free. Just like Denise, remember what Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”

Me and Denise two years later…

Hope you have a great weekend. If you want to comment on this story, please post as I know Denise would sure love to hear your encouragement!