Freedom Is Not Free... But It Is Priceless

Hi to all my Blogger Friends!

I just want to thank each and every one of you that follow me on my blog. When you run a ministry like this, the testimonies come in so fast, but so do the requests for help. Because of the time constraints on my schedule continue to increase, and because we are helping more and more people, I have made the decision to blog just once a week from this point on. My intention from this time forward will be to post the weekly blog on Thursday. Just wanted to give all of you a head’s up so you would understand why the sudden change from three times a week. However, I do encourage you to follow me on Twitter @nancyalcorn as well as @mercyministries. You can also keep up with me on Facebook here. We will also continue to update the Mercy Ministries web site regularly with more information – www.mercyministries.com.

I realize that we are preparing to celebrate our freedom as a citizen in the United States of America. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those in our military who have served in the past or are currently serving. My dad has been in Heaven for over ten years now, but he is one of those people who helped protect our country and our freedom. We need to pray for those that are in harm’s way and to express gratitude for the privilege of living in such a wonderful nation.

There is no way that I can ever think about freedom without also talking about the freedom that is available to all of us through Jesus Christ. Even recently when I went to preach in the prisons in Texas, the theme of the whole weekend was that you can be in prison, but prison does not have to be in you. The inmates were so receptive to that message because they want to live with peace that passes all understanding and enjoy all that Christ died to give them, even inside the prison walls. I was so amazed by the abundance of gratitude they showed by the simple gesture of us giving them one of our books filled with Mercy testimonies. I could not help but be convicted and think about how those of us who live in the “free world” take so much for granted and fail to be grateful for even the smallest things. I hope that you will join me in taking time to thank God for the freedom that we share because of what Christ has done for us.

In closing, thank you for your support because we are all about bringing freedom to people who have been held captive. Your support makes the way for freedom to be experienced – drug addicts, prostitutes, cutters, girls with eating disorders, victims of sex trafficking, the list goes on and on. Jesus Christ came to set the captives free, and your support makes a way for us to do just that. Thanks for all the thousands of lives that you have enabled us to bring this freedom to over the years, and thank you for all that you continue to do for us as we move ahead to continue with those who are still desperate for that freedom.

Praying for God’s protection over you this weekend and that you have a wonderful holiday!

Check Out Mercy’s New Leather Wristbands To Help End Sex Trafficking!

You can help us end sex trafficking one victim at a time by purchasing this wristband and also sharing it with others. I really love this wristband because it’s leather and has two silver snaps that make it adjustable and unique! We just got these in, and I have been wearing mine every single day. We are very excited about our End Sex Trafficking Initiative, and you can help get the word out by spreading the news -- retweet, TwitPic, share on your Facebook wall, forward to your friends, or even purchase several wristbands as a gift that you can give away.

We decided to initially offer this wristband at a very special price of $8 – one, because we want to make it affordable for everyone to buy for themselves and their friends. Also, the number eight signifies new beginnings, and you can be a part of that new beginning because 100% of the proceeds for this wristband will go to bring transformation to the lives of these young women who have been so traumatized by this injustice.

 

Just think about it, you can actually help us bring restoration to the lives of these young women. No doubt that people will ask you about these wristbands, and that will make a way for you to be an official advocate for this effort! Just think about it! We can use this as a tool to share with others how even trafficking victims can receive a new beginning and be healed and restored. However, this can only happen through the freedom to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with each girl, one victim at a time. Will you join us and make this possible? Click here to purchase your very own End Sex Trafficking wristband!

Check Out Jeff Fisher’s Fundraiser For Mercy…

It was great fun Saturday night as both staff and girls attended Jeff Fisher’s Celebrity Softball Game, along with 5,000 other spectators. Such a treat to watch Jeff go above and beyond for our community to raise funds for Mercy Ministries and other worthy organizations. It was so cool to see players from the past, as well as those who are currently on the Titans roster. Eddie George, Kevin Dyson, Chris Sanders, Derrick Mason – these were a few of the fans' favorites from the past. In addition, we had current stars Marc Mariani, Kerry Collins, and Cortland Finnegan, to name a few. Special thanks to Jeff for all the memories over the years, and for his awesome heart to help Mercy both now and in the future.

We love you, Jeff!!! Check out the pictures from this special night…

 

Nancy in the middle of the girls

Starting lineup is introduced

Jeff with two of our volunteers

A Surprise Visit From Three Of My Very Favorites!

I was sitting in my office yesterday getting some work done when three of my favorite people in the whole wide world came to visit me. I guess you could say they are my adopted grandchildren…let me explain.

It was my privilege to meet these three very special people when they first came into the world in 1991. The reason I say that is because Mercy Ministries had the blessing of working with all three of their birthmothers – two of which chose adoption and one who chose to parent. In 1992, these three, along with another one of our Mercy adopted babies, joined me for a very special photo shoot. We had just bought the property in Nashville and we didn’t have any buildings on it, but we were believing God for that to happen. They sat on the ground with me on a blanket and took what we referred to often as our “faith picture,” because their lives served as a symbol of the many lives that would be saved in the years to come as Mercy Ministries would build a home and international office building on this very property.

From left to right, Merri, Me, Rachel, and Parker

Yesterday, three of the four came to see me and we actually did a reenactment of the picture that we took years ago. IT WAS SO FUN!!! We laughed together and had so much joy reminiscing about what God has done and continues to do in all of their lives. I have to admit this much – I love it that they love me and choose to stay connected and in touch!!! Thought you would enjoy the original photo made in 1992 and the one we made yesterday. I love these three – check out these pictures! SO PROUD OF MY GRANDBABIES!

100 Holes Of Golf, 27 Miles Up And Down Hills…Compassion In Action!!!

The Bible clearly tells us to provoke one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). I can’t help but think that is exactly what John Burns did Monday as he completed what even professional golfers say is virtually impossible. By the time the sun came up Monday morning, John Burns was on the golf course beginning the first of what was to be 100 total holes of golf, completing hole number 100 approximately 11 hours later. For those of you who do not fully understand what 100 holes of golf looks like, please understand that this means John covered 27 miles up and down hills as he completed this amazing feat. Why would John do such a thing? Let me explain…

It has been over eight years since I met John and Helen Burns, Pastors of Relate Church in the Vancouver, Canada area. I was blown away by their love and who they are, and totally blessed when we both realized God had brought us together for His purposes to bring Mercy Ministries to Canada.

Now, eight years later, the first Canada home is up and running and filled with young women who came desperate for help. Many of these young women have been used and abused for years at the hands of many men who should have been their protectors. That is why it blessed the girls so much to see a man of God who has become a champion for the healing and restoration of their broken lives.

I really do not think I can improve on the story that Canada posted, so let me share that link with you, and remember that it is not too late for you to go online and sponsor John (www.relatechurch.ca) to make this an over and above sacrifice enabling Mercy Canada to continue taking in young women free of charge.

http://mercyministriescanada.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/driving-home-the-mercy-message/

Perhaps like John, you would like to find a creative way to raise money for Mercy Ministries in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, or wherever you may live. Pray and ask God what He would have you to do to make a difference in the lives of others. Let’s provoke one another to love and good deeds just like the Bible says!

Amazing Weekend in Texas Prisons with Mike Barber and Team!!!

Katelyn, DeAnne Barber, Me and Mike Barber

It was my great joy to spend an awesome weekend speaking to female inmates in four different women’s prisons in Texas. I am so in awe of Mike and DeAnne Barber for their years of dedication, 25 to be exact, as they have faithfully done what Jesus told us to do. We are clearly told in Mark 16 to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature, and part of that world includes prisoners that Christ died for and wants to reach with His message of salvation. I so love Mike and DeAnne’s heart, and have to give a shout out to their son, Brandon, for his leadership in making this weekend possible. I was in awe as I watched hundreds of inmates respond to the gospel message and invite Christ into their hearts. The teaching was first class, the worship was first class, and the team was first class!!! There is no way I can fully report everything that happened, but it was just such a touching time for me and my Executive Assistant, Katelyn Rollins, to be a part of. Please check out their ministry at www.pro-claim.tv. I strongly encourage you to make a financial gift to this amazing ministry because of all they are doing. No doubt one day Mike, DeAnne, Brandon, and the entire team will hear Jesus say, “when I was in prison, you visited me…”

Please pray for and support this much needed and greatly underappreciated ministry. Hope you have a great week!

Blessings,
Nancy

Evidence That God Is Real – Check It Out For Yourself!!

I just got a really cool email from a young woman who graduated from Mercy in February of 2010. God did such a tremendous work with her while she was here in the program, and He continues to bless her to this day. I want to share with you a portion of her email along with pictures from her recent wedding. This story is so exciting and so encouraging...

“In my wildest dreams, I would have never imagined that just over a year after graduating Mercy I would be marrying such a godly man who loves me despite my tainted past. I used to tell my counselor that no man would ever want to be with me after what has happened to me and the things that I have done, but God's grace and power to transform is so much greater than my past!


Jacob and I have known each other for years, but the bondage I was in kept me from being able to have the God-centered relationship that I always desired. It is only through going to Mercy and experiencing the healing that I so desperately needed that I was able to enter into this pure, Godly, covenant relationship. Jacob has been a physical representation of the unconditional love of Christ that I first discovered during my time at Mercy.


Thank you, Nancy, for the opportunity you enabled me to have to find healing and restoration.”

I wanted to share a portion of Kati’s email along with these amazing wedding pictures. There is something about seeing pictures that provides insight into things that are written. I think these pictures totally display what Kati is trying to express in this email to me. I hope you are just as blessed as I am when you read this and see the visual evidence of what Kati is speaking about.

Have a great weekend, and don’t forget to pray for me as I am speaking in the Texas prisons. Last night during my first of four services, there were 502 inmates that chose to attend, and a large number of them raised their hands to receive Christ. Please believe with us for more lives to be impacted as we continue this great weekend inside the walls of four different women’s prisons in Texas.

I Am Being Sent To Prison This Weekend…

Just thought I would share with everyone that things have come full circle for me. Let me explain what I’m talking about. I started my career in the prison system in Tennessee, and now after 28 years I am headed back there once again. It is my great joy to be asked to spend Thursday, Friday, and Saturday speaking at several Texas prisons for women. There will be approximately 1,500 inmates that I will have the opportunity to share Christ with. I am very excited because this takes me back to my roots, but also because it is a command of God to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature…and that includes prisoners. Please pray for those who are spiritually bound by the enemy to be set free of their captivity. I am asking for God to fill my mouth with His words and that His power will touch lives and heal broken hearts. Just wanted you to know what I will be starting Thursday evening all the way through Saturday night. For those of you who have a slow weekend, you can actually watch Friday night’s service online at www.pro-claim.tv.

The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, June 9th – 6:30 PM
Friday, June 10th – 6:30 PM
Saturday, June 11th – 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM

Thanks for your prayers – it means a lot. These are people that somewhere along the line got off track in their lives and Jesus died for them too. Please join us in believing for great things to happen!!!

Check Out What CeCe Winans Is Doing…She Is One Cutting Edge Chick!!

It is such a joy for Mercy Ministries to partner with our dear friend CeCe Winans to help sponsor her upcoming Always Sisters Forever Brothers Conference Thursday, July 21st through Saturday, July 23rd at the Curb Center on the Belmont University Campus.

Anyone who wants to come is welcome, but the primary focus is to reach young men and young women under the age of thirty. If that’s you – you definitely want to register to be a part of this conference.

I have had the pleasure of speaking at this conference alongside the likes of Tony Dungy and many other well respected leaders and musicians from across the nation. This is one of the most amazing, powerful, and relevant conferences I have ever been a part of. This year’s conference will feature, alongside the Winans’ family, widely acclaimed Fred Hammond and Mary Mary. There are also nationally known speakers and authors in the lineup as well. Check out this link (www.alwayssistersforeverbrothers.com) and plan now to gather your friends to come with you to be a part of a weekend you will never forget.

I am so proud of my dear friend, Cece Winans, for making such a conference available to help meet the vast needs of today’s youth and young adults. Hope to see you there!!!

Philip And Holly Wagner At Mercy In Sacramento – Check Out These Pictures!!!

I am just about to board a plane to head home after three nights in California and wanted to drop you a quick note and share these pictures with you of Pastors Philip and Holly Wagner of Oasis Church in Los Angeles.

Mercy California Program Director, Cheryl Bangs, Pastors Philip and Holly, and Me

What a great time we had on Wednesday with the girls and staff inside the Sacramento home. It all started with us picking Philip and Holly up at the airport, followed by a quick stop at Starbucks (a prerequisite before speaking :) ), and then on to the home where we spent the entire day.

Pastors Philip and Holly, Me, and the Mercy Residents

We had a great time of praise and worship with special guests from the Sunset Christian Center worship team, followed by Holly teaching a tremendous message on the power of staying at your post -- not leaving when things get hard and how that applies to every area of our lives.

After that we took a lunch break and had an awesome time together in the Mercy dining room which seats approximately 75 people. We were also joined by our very own Kathy Farrington, who is the co-pastor of Sunset Christian Center, and her husband, Greg. We just about packed the dining room out and so enjoyed the meal that the girls and staff prepared for us. It was a great time of fellowship with not only our guest speakers, but we were also joined by six very special friends from Reno, Nevada. My dear friend, Jane Albright who is the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Nevada, made it a point to come spend the day with us and bring some new friends.

In the afternoon we heard a powerful message from Philip about relationships. The wisdom he imparted was invaluable as he spoke from the point of view of not just a pastor, but also as a father of a son and daughter who are now young adults.

We had such an amazing day, and I just wanted to share about it with you!

Awesome Graduate Testimony – From Suicidal To Loving Life…

I never get tired of hearing testimonies from Mercy graduates about how God has totally transformed their lives! Kimmy came to Mercy in 2010 struggling with an eating disorder, self-harm, and dealing with the guilt from past sexual abuse. Kimmy just sent me this amazing update to say that she is loving life and living in freedom! I hope Kimmy’s message is an encouragement to you…

I just wanted to update you all on what God has been doing in my life. I graduated from the Louisiana home on March 15th. I came to Mercy wanting to die. I was sexually abused by a close family friend for 10 years and then raped when I was 14 years old, which led to a sexual addiction and self hate. I developed an eating disorder, began cutting, and started beating myself up because of the guilt I constantly felt inside. I felt dirty all the time and like I was a mistake, that I should have never been born. I had a plan to kill myself on my 18th birthday. I had a time, a place, and what I was going to do. My 18th birthday was on July 7th and I am glad to say I was driving to Mercy that day and arrived there on July 8th, 2010. 

I was always labeled the reject of my family. Then when I came to Mercy I was not expecting what happened. God completely intervened in my life. I now know who I am in Christ! I am a new creation, the old is gone!! I learned what to do with those old lies the devil was feeding me and where to tell him to put them! I do not have to be a victim of my past any longer. I know I was not a mistake, I was made in my mother's womb already with a purpose and a destiny! I was always told that God wanted all the things that happened to me to take place. Well that is beyond a lie! He never intended for me to go through any hardship. He did not plan any of it, but He will use it for his glory. 

Upon my return home I started interning at my home church with my pastor! I am currently in school, and my goal is to become a youth pastor some day. I also have gotten a job at a salon doing makeup and being a receptionist, which gives me the opportunity to talk to girls about finding freedom with their image. I truly believe God has put me in this work place to be used by Him in the lives of the workers and clients. My boss pulled me aside after my first week of being on staff and thanked me and said "It's like you are a God send!" I was so pleased because I knew that I truly was a God send. 

I have successfully been taken off my psychiatric meds now and can truly say that now I am living my life 100% with no drugs and loving it. Doctors always told me I would be miserable without medicine and would fall back into depression as soon as I tried getting off of them. Well, I love my life and know that it is only because of God's love for me that I can honestly say I am looking forward to my future and all the other wonderful things God has in store for me!!

Kimmy, we are so proud of you!!!