Two NFL Greats Speak At St. Louis Luncheon…

Check out these pictures from yesterday’s luncheon with St. Louis Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo and my dear friend and former Tennessee Titans Head Coach, Jeff Fisher, as they joined forces together to promote the work of Mercy Ministries. It was truly a great time!!!

Coach Steve and Coach Jeff enjoying time together before the event!

Coach Jeff and Coach Steve, along with me and Price and Tammy Woodard, Mercy supporters from St. Louis.

Former NBA player and friend of Mercy, Steve Stipanovich

Me and Jeff

Coach Jeff, Coach Steve, Maria and myself

Featured speaker, Coach Steve, had a great message. Obviously the crowd was hanging on every word.

2006 Graduate, Kristen and 2010 Graduate, Priscilla

For more details about what the two Coaches spoke about you can read more details about this event – click here.

Two NFL Coaches Partner With Mercy For Special Event!!!

My flight just landed in St. Louis, and I thought would share with you a bit about why I am here. Tomorrow at noon at the Hilton Frontenac Hotel, Mercy Ministries will be hosting a very special business luncheon for those who live in the area. Our featured speaker will be our very own St. Louis Rams Head Coach, Steve Spagnuolo (pictured left). As if that is not exciting enough, Coach Spagnuolo will be introduced by my special friend and longtime Mercy supporter, Jeff Fisher (right), former Head Coach of the Tennessee Titans.

It’s not too late for you to register for this event by going online to http://www.mercyministries.org/HowToHelp/Events.aspx.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!! This is one event that you definitely do NOT WANT TO MISS!!!

Proof of God’s Power – Check it Out!!

I just heard from a beautiful, young teenage girl who graduated from our Mercy home in Nashville in November of 2009. She is doing so great that I have to use my blog to brag on her today. I want to show you a picture of her beautiful face, and share with you the powerful words that she just sent to me via email. She is truly a champion and I could not be more proud of Hannah!!!

Hey Nancy,

My name is Hannah and I am 17 years old. I graduated Mercy Ministries a year and 4 months ago. I went to Mercy ready to die. I didn't want to live. I had no hope, but now I am so happy. I have Jesus Christ in my life. I just wanted to tell you that God is amazing. He has done so much in my life. I am getting ready to graduate high school, and I never thought that I would graduate. I had no hope for my life, but now I know God has a plan for my future. I am just so blessed. I have received a scholarship that pays for my first two years of college and plan to major in Psychology. I live in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and God has put a fire in my heart to work at the Mercy Ministries when it is built here. I know God has so much in store for this area. Girls are so desperate for something more around here.

Love you,

Hannah

Thanks to all of our monthly partners and financial supporters for fruit that remains!!! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Flowers, Flowers, And More Flowers…

This weekend, our Nashville residents were so surprised when Mercy supporters, Blair and Jeff Moore, stopped by to hand deliver dozens and dozens of flowers! Blair and Jeff met our Nashville residents and staff at the Tennessee Governor’s Parade in February that the Mercy girls attended. Our residents were so blown away by the Moore’s amazing generosity and felt so loved. I thought you’d like to see some of the pictures from this special surprise…as you can tell, our girls LOVE flowers!!! :)






Special thanks to Blair and Jeff Moore for thinking of our girls and taking the time to bless them!

Hope everyone has a great night!

Nashville Residents Attend A Night of Hope With Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen!!!

This past Friday, our Nashville residents were invited by Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen (pictured right) to be their special guests at “A Night of Hope” in Nashville. Our girls were so encouraged by Pastor Joel’s message of believing that 2011 can be a year of new beginnings, staying focused on your relationship with God, and not being distracted by what others may do or say. It was such an awesome evening, as several people from the Lakewood team shared their testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

One of the most powerful moments for me was when Cindy Ratcliff, Lakewood Church’s Director of Music and Worship, shared her personal story of adopting twins from Mercy’s licensed adoption agency in 2008. The twins were born to a young woman who came to Mercy Ministries for help and made the courageous decision to place her babies for adoption. Cindy and her husband, Marcus, had a son, but were not able to have any more children. After Cindy shared her story of adopting twins from Mercy’s licensed adoption agency, she sang “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” as a video of their family played in the background. It was such an amazing picture of God’s goodness!

Cindy and Marcus with the birthmother and the kids!

The entire night was filled with encouragement, testimonies, and great teaching! I thought I would share with you what some of our residents had to say about the event…

“Pastor Joel was speaking to my heart! The Lord showed me so many things through his teaching. It was awesome!” – Ashley

“Every single word that was spoken was so relevant, I felt like God was speaking directly to me. The Biblical examples and analogies about persevering were incredible. I definitely left feeling so encouraged.” - Amanda

Special thanks to Pastors Joel and Victoria, and the entire Lakewood team for “A Night of Hope!” Pastors Joel and Victoria have been long time supporters of Mercy and I would encourage you to check out Lakewood Church if you are ever in the Houston area. For more information on Joel Osteen Ministries and Lakewood Church go to www.joelosteen.com or www.lakewood.cc.

Look Who Stopped By!!!

It is so cool the way God puts special people in our lives, and the way He bonds people together for Kingdom purposes as well as for special friendships that will be eternal. It’s been almost a year since my Executive Assistant, Cassidy, left to go on maternity leave and be a stay-at-home mom. I miss her very much, but we also make time to get together and keep in touch. Today Cassidy surprised us by stopping by the office so that London could see me, Jude, Katelyn, and all of her other close Mercy friends. Thought you might like to see a picture of Cassidy with her baby and me with my baby! :)


Have a great weekend!!!

Special Time Of Ministry With Higher Ground…

It was our great joy to host dear friends, Mercy supporters, and musical group Higher Ground at Mercy here in Nashville yesterday. Higher Ground, featuring Wayne Hilliard, Eddie Combs, and Rodney Jordan (pictured below), made a lasting impact on our Nashville residents. They led us in a time of powerful worship, as well as making prophetic declarations over the lives of both residents and staff. It is so hard to describe just how amazing this time of ministry really was, so I thought I would share with you comments from a few of the girls and what they had to say…

WOW! This was awesome! I could feel God’s presence through the whole house! Their songs are so powerful! - Nikki

So much impacted me from this message. Hearing them speak over some of the girls was amazing. I was also encouraged when they said, “You may have done what they say you did, but you’re not who they say you are.” I have been called so many things, but I’m not that person anymore. I know God will heal my life. – Tori

This was awesome! It blessed me so much when they shared Ephesians 1:4, that even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. - Jessica

Special thanks to Wayne, Eddie, and Rodney for taking the time to come and share with us! Higher Ground travels and ministers in churches and conferences across this nation and other nations around the world, and we were so blessed to have them here at Mercy yesterday. If you are interested in learning more about Higher Ground and/or checking out some of their music, visit their website at www.hgmin.com.

Higher Ground pictured left to right: Wayne, Eddie, and Rodney

Higher Ground pictured with Gina, who received a great personal breakthrough yesterday during our time of worship

I was thrilled to have our dear friends with us at Mercy!

Wayne Hilliard, leader of Higher Ground, spoke so accurately
into the lives of our girls…

Full Circle Milestone Only God Could Have Made…

Approximately 22 years ago, I saw a beautiful baby girl come into the world. It was such a special time, as one of our birthmothers at Mercy asked me to be in the labor and delivery room with her as her support person. I was happy to do so, as I had been closely involved with this teenage girl who prayerfully made the decision to place her baby for adoption. I was quite amazed at her strength and courage, as well as the strong commitment to stick with her decision. This young woman had so much peace that I knew it had to come only from God.

I have had the privilege of watching this baby girl grow up in every stage of her life because her parents are close, personal friends of mine. YESTERDAY, I had the privilege of being a part of yet another milestone in the life of this young woman. Little did I know 22 years ago as I watched her come into the world that years later she would ask me to perform her wedding ceremony.

I feel the need to say that even though I can legally perform wedding ceremonies, I choose not to do so because it is really not my focus and because of having a limited amount of time. However, when Lainey asked me to do her wedding because that’s what God put on her heart, I really felt that God wanted me to make a one-time exception and honor her request. I am so glad I did because it was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen!! I have no doubt that God has brought Lainey and Amadeus together to share a dream of serving God together and making an impact for the Kingdom. I so look forward to continuing to be a part of their lives as they grow together. I know that God has great plans for them as a couple (Jeremiah 29:11)!

Lainey and Amadeus

Mercy Resident, Andrea, Gives Birth Today to Beautiful Isabella!!!

We are so thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of our Mercy family, baby Isabella born today at 1:28 PM weighing 5 lbs and is 18.25 inches long. As you can see by this picture she is absolutely beautiful, but how could she not be, look at her gorgeous mother!!! I’m happy to report that both mom and baby are doing well! Please join us in praying for Andrea as she seeks God’s wisdom and guidance as she begins her journey of parenting. Just wanted to share our joy with you!


Have a great weekend!

Life Church Pastors Speak at Mercy…

It is not often that you get to be up close and personal with pastors who have had the privilege of leading over 24,000 people to Christ in the last 5 years, but today we had that privilege! After spending three years in Nairobi, Kenya on the mission field, John and Leslie Siebeling moved to Memphis, TN in 1996 to plant a church that started out with 7 people. 15 years later, that church now has thousands and thousands of people with 4 different campuses and multiple services every weekend.

I have to tell you that part of what meant so much to me was that pastors from a mega church of this size would take the time to drive over from Memphis and spend the entire day with our residents and staff. We had a powerful time this morning with our staff and residents together as Pastor John shared a great message entitled Moving Your Life Forward. At the end of the message, Pastor John prayed for us and also took the time to field questions from several of our residents. In the afternoon, we had a special leadership session with just staff where both Pastors John and Leslie spoke to us about how to promote a positive culture where faith can be released and teamwork can be promoted as we walk together in agreement with one common goal – to see captives set free and go on to fulfill their destiny! Pastor John also shared about 7 different ways that we can lead like Jesus. Examples out of the 4 Gospels were given to back up each point. It was a great time of building up our team and creating a stronger spirit of unity.

I want to personally thank Pastor John and Leslie, and I can tell you that if I lived in Memphis this would definitely be the church of my choice! If you live anywhere near the area or if you are ever visiting Memphis, I encourage you to pay a visit and your life will be forever changed. Check them out at www.thelifechurch.com.

Leslie speaking

Pastor John

Girls up close and personal with our guest speakers.

Nancy with Pastors John and Leslie Siebeling

Great Day at Freedom House Church in Charlotte!!!

Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at Freedom House Church in Charlotte, NC with founding Pastors Troy and Penny Maxwell. It was my great joy to speak at all three Sunday morning services – 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM.

We were blessed to have so many of our Charlotte friends in attendance, but perhaps the highlight of my day was being reunited with three of our awesome Mercy graduates who are now all serving God and making a difference in their own individual ways. Thought you might enjoy seeing a picture from our time together!

(from left) March 2004 graduate, Kiyomi, November 2004 graduate, Alyssa, and December 2010 graduate, Ally.

I want to give a personal thanks to Pastors Troy and Penny Maxwell for their heart to help Mercy share the vision and to help establish a home in the Charlotte area! Special thanks to all who went out of their way to be there in support of this special time!

Headed to Freedom House Church in Charlotte for Weekend Services!

It is my great joy to be invited to speak at Freedom House with founding pastors Troy and Penny Maxwell. Troy and Penny started Freedom House in 2002, and they have already grown this congregation to the point that they have to have three Sunday morning services to accommodate those in attendance. This will be my first time to speak at Freedom House, and I am so excited about being with the Maxwells and their leadership team. It is also exciting to me to be back in the great city of Charlotte, where we have so many friends that are on the Mercy journey with us. If you live in the area, I want to invite you to come to at least one of the services on Sunday, March 6th which are at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 12:00 PM. If you want to know more about Freedom House Church and their pastors, Troy and Penny Maxwell, check out their website at www.freedomhousechurch.org.

The Maxwell Family

If you live anywhere near the Charlotte, North Carolina area, I hope to see you there this weekend!!!

Have a great weekend!

Author And Career Development Expert Lynette Lewis Speaks At Mercy…

It was our awesome privilege today at Mercy Ministries in Nashville to host Lynette Lewis from New York City, who is an author and nationally known speaker. Lynette is an expert in career development and also specializes in marketing and branding. She was also in Nashville to speak to Dave Ramsey’s staff, and it was our joy to be able to share her time with our dear friends at Financial Peace.

Lynette is renowned the world over as an inspirational and motivational keynote speaker helping people find the true meaning of life and achieve goals beyond their highest hopes and dreams. Lynette is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, and now serves on its Board of Trustees. Lynette and her husband, Ron Lewis, founded Strategic Global Initiatives (SGI) a non-profit organization dedicated to giving a “voice to the vulnerable” around the world.

Today, Lynette chose to share with our residents about how she waited until God brought her the mate she knew was right for her. Lynette went into great detail about how this was a challenge to her faith since she actually did not get married until age 42. She went on to tell this amazing story of how her husband, Ron, was well worth the wait!!!

Lynette and her husband, Ron, are dear friends and supporters of the work we do here at Mercy. We look forward to having Lynette back again soon!!!