Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Mercy Ministries and Nancy Alcorn

Mercy Ministries is a non-profit Christian organization that I personally support, and I just thought it was time I wrote a blog about the amazing things this ministry has done in saving the lives of hurting young women everywhere! I’ve been a proud supporter of Mercy Ministries for 18 years now and I have seen the changed lives first hand.
Nancy Alcorn is the president and founder of Mercy Ministries and I would like to share with you the amazing story of how she began this wonderful ministry. I know Nancy personally and I can say that she is truly a woman of faith, determination and character. Here is her story:
It was during and after college that Nancy Alcorn, a native Tennessean, spent eight years working for the state of Tennessee at a correctional facility for juvenile delinquent girls and investigating child abuse cases. Working for the state on a daily basis gave her direct encounters with the secular programs that were not producing permanent results that exemplified changed lives. Nancy saw many of the girls pass the age of eighteen and end up in the women's prison system because they never got the real help they needed. After working for the state and recognizing that true transformation would never come as the result of any government system, she was appointed Director of Women for Nashville Teen Challenge where she worked for two years. Through her experience, she began to realize that only Jesus could bring restoration into the lives of the girls who were desperately hurting and searching for something to fill the void they felt in their hearts. As her spirit was stirred and her passion ignited, Nancy knew that God was revealing a destiny that would result in her stepping out to help these hurting women.
In January 1983, determined to establish a program in which lives would truly be transformed, Nancy moved to Monroe, Louisiana to start Mercy Ministries of America. As she began to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the ministry, she knew that there were three principles to which she must always remain faithful: (1) do not take any state or federal funding that may limit the freedom to teach Christian principles, (2) accept girls free of charge, and (3) always give at least ten percent of all Mercy Ministries' donations to other organizations and ministries.
Several years and many changed lives later, Mercy Ministries has established locations in Monroe, Louisiana, Nashville, Tennessee, St. Louis, Missouri, and a home under construction in the Sacramento, California area. The organization has grown beyond the borders of the United States, including affiliates in Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, and Peru. In addition, plans are underway for more sites in America as well as internationally.
You can also read more about Mercy here: www.mercyministries.com and about Nancy Alcorn, the founder here: http://www.mercyministries.org/AboutUs/OurFounder/Default.aspx
Stay tuned for more wonderful stories about Mercy Ministries!

7 comments:

rebecca said...

Nancy is a great woman of faith who has spent her life transforming the lives of girls by showing them God's gift of love and mercy. I have watched this ministry grow over the years. This work is truly of God. What a wonderful miracle this ministry has been in the lives of the girls it touches! R.A. Franklin, TN

Natasha.files@gmail.com said...

I went to Mercy Ministries desperately looking for a reason to live; I was hopeless and turned to Mercy as my last resort. Mercy led me to the Truth and taught me how to stand firm in Christ. I fully support this ministry and daily praise God that I had the opportunity to go. I have not only found a reason to live, but I have a future of freedom to continue walking out!! Thanks Nancy for obediently following your call! xo

Brandi said...

I had the pleasure of hearing Nancy speak at the The church of the harvest girlfriends conference in OK city .. Nancy is very inspiring! They are putting a Mercy Ministries here in MI where I live .. I can only pray that I have an opportunity to be involved as a volunteer for this AWESOME program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I cannot underscore the value of Mercy Ministries in the lives of young women who have been caught in destructive habits. I have personally witnessed the transformation that happens in many young women's lives; I have personally given my time and talent to Mercy; and I have willing supported Mercy Ministries financially for over 8 years. There is not a better place for a young woman who wants to escape life-destroying habits Mercy Ministries. I will continue to give financially to Mercy for years to come. I also know Nancy Alcorn personally, count her as a dear friend, and know her to be a woman of strong faith and un questionable character. She is a champion for the cause of young women around the globe. She and Mercy Ministries deserve our support.

Journey_On said...

I am glad that you created this blog! I love what Mercy Ministries does for the girls.

Mama Jay's GoodNews...As I See It said...

Praise God for how He is using this ministry. So many lives reached for Christ, and showing His love for the hurting right where they are.

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I had the opportunity to attend a service of Ministries of Mercy .. They have a spectacular mission and organization .. Protected by the grace and work of God .. They are inspiring.. like when my husband used generic viagra