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For the Catholic religious order, see Sisters of Mercy.
Mercy Ministries
Founded1983
FounderNancy Alcorn
Area served
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
New Zealand[1]
Key people
Nancy Alcorn, Founder and President
WebsiteMercy Ministries Homepage

Mercy Ministries of America ("MMOA") is a voluntary Christian charitable organization that offers a long-term residential program free of charge to young women aged 13–28 who struggle with various "life controlling" issues.[2] Most of these girls have been abused physically and sexually, and some have been sexually trafficked.[3] Their residential program provides biblically based counseling, life skills training, financial and nutritional instruction, and fitness education.[4] They also provide adoption and transitional care services.[2] Since 1985, the ministry has placed hundreds of babies into adoptive families across the United States.[5] MMOA's programs are located in Nashville, TN, Monroe, LA, St. Louis, MO, and Sacramento, California. They also have affiliate organizations in Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.[6][1]

History

MMOA was founded in 1983 by Nancy Alcorn. Prior to that, she worked eight years for the state of Tennessee. During her time with the state, she worked for the Tennessee Department of Corrections in a correctional facility for juvenile delinquent girls as an athletic director before moving on to supervise foster-care placements.[7] While supervising foster-care placements, she worked with the Emergency Child Protective Services Unit where she investigated charges of abuse and neglect. After eight years with the state of Tennessee, she was appointed Director of Women for the Nashville Teen Challenge program where she worked for two years.[8]

Alcorn moved to Monroe, Louisiana in January 1983 to establish a program to help young girls similar to those she worked with during her time in Tennessee. She believed that the secular state run programs were not producing the necessary results to help these girls long-term, and she established Mercy Ministries of America as a way of an approach to provide girls the help that she felt they needed and were not getting from state run programs. The three principles that she established for the program were "(1) accept girls free of charge, (2) always give at least ten percent of all donations to other organizations and ministries, and (3) do not take any state or federal funding or any money that interferes with the freedom to share Christ."[8]

Beliefs

MMOA is an organization that is based on nondenominational Christian principles. According to their website, they believe that the Bible was written by divine inspiration and that it is a record of God's revelation of Himself to man. They also believe that it is a book of divine instruction. They have monotheistic principles in that they believe that there is only one God who reveals himself as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Mercy believes that man was created in the image of God by God Himself, that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and that the Church consists of all believers who are associated by their covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel.[9]

Locations

MMOA has four homes in the United States. These homes are located in Monroe, LA, Nashville, TN, St. Louis, MO and Sacramento, California. The Nashville home is also the site of MMOA's corporate headquarters and where staff training takes place.[6]

Affiliates of the Mercy Ministries brand also exist internationally, although each affiliate has its own independent executive director and board according to MMOA's website.[10] Affiliates include Vancouver, Canada; Auckland, New Zealand; and Bradford, United Kingdom. These homes are operated and financed independent from MMOA; an international board from Mercy Ministries International (MMI) oversees these worldwide operations.[11]

An independent charity with two homes founded by Darlene and Mark Zschech[12] in Australia called Mercy Ministries of Australia (MMAU) closed in 2008 and 2009.[13][14] These locations had no oversight from MMOA,[12] and they had separate and independent leadership, program design and organizational structure.[15] According to MMOA's website, because of a shared vision to serve hurting girls, Nancy Alcorn, Founder and President of Mercy Ministries of America, permitted Darlene and Mark Zschech to leverage the "Mercy Ministries" brand when they founded MMAU in 2001.

Funding

MMOA is funded through donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. They do not accept state or federal funding.[7] Alcorn has quoted three core principles of Mercy when it comes to finance: take the girls in free of charge; tithe 10% of funds to other ministries; and never accept money with strings attached, such as government funding.[16] In 2008 Alcorn discussed these principles while speaking at the Capital Christian Center in Sacramento about MMOA's plans to expand to the Sacramento area, stating "God spoke to me years ago, 'if you'll take the girls in free of charge, if you will be committed to give at least 10% of what comes into your ministry to other ministries, and offerings when I tell you, then I'll make sure that your needs will be met through your giving.'"[17]

Direct funding

New York Times Best Selling author Dave Ramsey is a supporter of MMOA and has also helped to raise funds for the organization. In 2011, he sponsored his employees running in the Country Music Marathon and offered to donate to Mercy on their behalf. He donated $500 for each employee who finished the half marathon in under three hours and $1,000 for anyone who finished in under two hours. A total of $23,000 was raised and donated to Mercy on behalf of The Ramsey Family Foundation.[18] Ramsey continues to be a supporter of the organization and is featured on their website.

California-based multi-millionaire and one of Forbes' magazine 400 Riches Americans Buzz Oates donated more than $3 million to MMOA to help build a home in the Sacramento area.[19]

Joyce Meyer and Joyce Meyer Ministries are also supporters. Joyce and Dave Meyer deeded property to Mercy for the St. Louis home.[5] According to the Joyce Meyer website, Mercy is one of the ministries to which they donate on a regular basis and Joyce and Dave Meyer are monthly partners. MMOA was featured in Joyce Meyer Ministries' Enjoying Everyday Life May 2011 edition ("Mercy Multiplied") and the magazine solicited donations for the ministry from its readers.[20]

In 2009, Surrey pastor John Burns completed a single day, 100 hole round of golf, to raise money for Mercy Ministries Canada. The marathon was completed at the Peace Portal Golf Course and expected to raise close to $200,000 for Mercy. Burns had completed the marathon on previous years as well, raising between $35,000 and $50,000.[21]

In 2012, Daystar Television Network donated $10,000. This was one month after Alcorn appeared on Celebration, Daystar's flagship program hosted by Marcus and Joni Lamb. Both Marcus and Joni respect the mission and were quoted as saying that it is "an amazing mission."[22]

Charitable partnerships

MMOA partners with numerous other nonprofit and charity organizations. One of their principles states that they will give at least ten percent of all donations that they receive to other organizations and ministries.[8][7]

In 2012, Big Idea Entertainment, the animation production company best known for the VeggieTales films and now owned by DreamWorks Animation SKG, announced a partnership with MMOA. The partnership revolves around the company's recently released (August 2012) video entitled VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess - God's Little Girl, which features a video intended to help drive donations to Mercy. The video contains testimonials from girls who have been through the MMOA program.[23][24]

MMOA also partners with many famous artists to raise funds and awareness for the mission. In 2010, Grammy nominee Contemporary Christian musician Matthew West invited the girls from Mercy to be a guest of himself and his wife Emily on The Story of Your Life tour.[25] They attended his show just outside of Franklin, Tennessee.[26] In 2011, West also appeared on the Mercy Multiplied radio show hosted by Alcorn.[23] In 2002, Point of Grace featured Nancy Alcorn at their Girls of Grace conferences targeting girls ages 13-18.[5]

In November 2000, Donna Summer recorded the song Take Heart for The Mercy Project, a compilation CD with proceeds benefiting MMOA. Other artist supporters featured on this CD include Amy Grant, Martina McBride, Point of Grace and Michelle Tumes.[27] MMOA's website also lists CeCe Winans, Melinda Doolittle, Natalie Grant, Jars of Clay, Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff and Mandisa as artist partners.[28]

Programs

MMOA describes their program as featuring biblically based counseling, life-skills training and educational opportunities, including nutrition and fitness instruction. The program is free of charge to the girls it serves and does not accept government funding.[4]

Structure

Mercy provides a multi-dimensional approach to life-controlling issues including eating disorders, drug and alcohol addictions, self-harm (cutting) and unplanned pregnancy. They provide counseling, life-skills training, including nutritional and financial management instruction. Some of the resources used in the program include authors and teachers such as Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Jordan Rubin and Dave Ramsey.[24]

They also offer a counseling curriculum called Choices That Bring Change that they describe as combining biblical principles of healing and unconditional love with best-practice clinical interventions. They use trained counselors to identify causes of destructive behavior, help residents to set goals, and equip them with life skills.[24]

Media outlets

There are two media outlets used by MMOA. The first is Mercy Ministries Magazine and the other is Mercy Multiplied Radio. Mercy Magazine is an annual publication and contains articles about their mission as well as the financial status and current board members of the organization.

Mercy Multiplied Radio is a radio show hosted by Alcorn. The show is broadcast to over 4 million households on KXEN 1010 AM in St. Louis, Missouri. The show airs live on Thursdays and during drive time on Fridays. The show is a call-in show where Alcorn answers questions from callers and also speaks on various topics affecting young women.

Australian controversy

In 2008, an article in The Sydney Morning Herald alleged mistreatment of Mercy Ministries Australia clients, and that false claims had been made about the services offered. Instead of receiving counseling from qualified professionals, they were placed in the care of bible college students and other unqualified staff.

One client said: "while there was nothing that was formally termed "exorcism" in the Sydney house... in her mind, [her treatment amounted to] exorcism."[29] Another article alleged that clients were expelled without warning, follow-up or support.[30][31] Former residents claimed that Mercy Ministries Australia falsely advertised their program as free of charge, when in fact qualifying residents were at that time required to sign over Centrelink benefits during their time in the program.[32]

Soon afterwards, Mercy Ministries Australia announced it would close its Sunshine Coast facility, citing "strategic and resourcing issues."[33]" Founder and President, Nancy Alcorn said: "What we are trying to do is to get back to the level of excellence and professionalism." Mercy Ministries Australia was not providing the appropriate standard of care.[34]

Although at first a director of Mercy Ministries Australia, Peter Irvine, denied the allegations,[35] he later retracted his statement and issued an apology.[36] Some time later, he repeated some of his comments in another interview.[37]

Several of Mercy Ministries Australia corporate sponsors severed their connection,[38][39] and Hillsong Church in Sydney removed[40] references to Mercy Ministries Australia from their own website. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission began an investigation.[41] In late 2009, Mercy Ministries Australia announced closure; by the end of the year, former directors had admitted to false, misleading and deceptive conduct by wrongly claiming their residential care programs were free and included support from psychologists, dietitians, general practitioners and counsellors. They were ordered to pay $1050 to 110 young women who took part in their programs, the total being $118,154.[42][43][44]

Nancy Alcorn, Founder and President of Mercy Ministries, said that she was disturbed that the girls had been asked to sign over their unemployment benefits. "Taking those funds, it sends the wrong message," she said. "This is their money."[34]

After Mercy Ministries received considerable media attention in March 2008, a group of former residents formed Mercy Survivors, a website and network of former residents recovering from their time at Mercy Ministries.[45]

United States controversy

In 2008, The Nashville Scene published an article about three young women who went through Mercy Ministries of America facilities whose claims echoed those of the Australian experiences reported in the media. One former resident claimed a girl who appeared to have schizophrenia was left unattended and jumped from a second story balcony onto concrete. She claims they were instructed by Nancy Alcorn to keep the suicide attempt from their friends and family, and their phonecalls over that were supervised by staff. Like the Australian media stories, the three former residents of Mercy Ministries of America also reported exorcisms and driving out of spirits as well as separation contracts to prevent girls getting close. One former resident shares her observations of Nancy Alcorn's behaviour and relationships with other women and makes bold allegations about her having a lesbian relationship with another Mercy Ministries staff member.[46]

In 2012, an article written by freelance journalist Lisa Kerr of RH Reality Check discusses two young women who attended the Mercy Ministries program who claimed that Mercy's staff used control and domination to treat their mental illnesses. The spoke of Mercy's mandatory STD testing and lack of trained staff.[47]


In 2012, a series of articles published in the Lincoln News Messenger reported a range of allegations about Mercy Ministries. Among them was a claim that Mercy Ministries' approach to treatment does not involve doctors. The Mercy Ministries Lincoln facility has one registered nurse on site, not available 24 hours a day, according to Christy Singleton, executive director of Mercy Ministries. The report went on to say: "Someone with an eating disorder might die without the appropriate medical treatment." The Lincoln News Messenger inquired with Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program's chief admissions officer who offered evidence of how deadly eating disorders are: "Eight to 10 million girls and women and one million boys and men struggle today with this disease in the United States, according to Jennifer Lombardi, MFT, Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program’s chief admissions officer.Headquartered in Sacramento, Summit treats those with anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders in a medically supervised program. Summit is recognized by the national Joint Commission on Health Care Accreditation. The commission’s mission is ”to continuously improve health care for the public … by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.” Mercy Ministries is not accredited with the commission." [48]

Exorcism

As well as residents making official complaints,[49] some have spoken about being required to take part in exorcism. One former resident stated she was warned that if her eating disorder persisted, the demons would return.[34] A former resident leaked to the media a copy of "Restoring The Foundations", the previous counseling model used to treat residents at Mercy Ministries.[50][51] The website now speaks of a replacement curriculum: "Mercy Ministries International formalized its Christian-based counseling curriculum in June 2008. This curriculum is now used in all Mercy Ministries homes throughout the world. It is called “Choices That Bring Change” and helps young women work through a counseling process that explores issues of faith, forgiveness, family, overcoming abuse and past hurts, and general life principles."[52]

Demonic oppression is addressed in a "Mercy for" series of books by Nancy Alcorn recently published. These books cite "Restoring the Foundations", the former counseling curriculum used by Mercy Ministries containing a whole module on demonic oppression. In a sermon posted on YouTube, Alcorn claimed Mercy's approach to be superior to conventional psychology, which often relies on psychotropic medication. She said that girls with issues like sexual promiscuity or eating disorders have opened themselves up to demonic activity. "Secular psychiatrists want to medicate things like that," she said. "But Jesus didn't say to medicate demons, he said to cast them out."[34] Nonetheless, the website currently displays the following information: "As a Christian organization, Mercy Ministries believes that spiritual warfare is real and that prayer plays an important role in healing and spiritual growth. Mercy Ministries does not perform or endorse exorcisms as part of its treatment curriculum. Our emphasis is on the power of God’s grace and unconditional love to help hurting young women overcome addictions and past hurts."[52]

The Nashville Scene reported that as at October 2008, almost 1/3 of young women who were treated at the Australian homes have reached out for help after they were damaged by their time in the program."[53]

Use of recovered memory therapy techniques at Mercy Ministries

In an article called "Two Fathers Views" published by the Lincoln News Messenger, two fathers talk about their daughters and claim that Mercy Ministries used suggestive and questionable prayer counselling methods resulting in their daughters recalling false memories of sexual abuse at the hands of their respective fathers. One of the daughters remains away from home without any contact, and the other has returned home and was quoted as saying "I never had any memories of being abused, I don’t know why I said those things."[54]

Mercy Ministries claims to not practice Recovered Memory Therapy.[55]

References

  1. ^ a b Marlborough Express News. "Support for young women". Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b Mercy Ministries. "Our Program". Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  3. ^ "Girls Sold For Sex After School". The Tennessean. 14 November 2010. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b "Young Women Get Help At Mercy Ministries". The Tennessean. 24 December 2010. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ a b c "Have Mercy". Today’s Christian Woman. Jan/Feb 2003. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b Mercy Ministries. "About Us - Locations". Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Transformed Magazine. "Bring Increase to Your Life - The Power of Giving". Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  8. ^ a b c Mercy Ministries. "Who We Are". Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  9. ^ Mercy Ministries. "Statement of Faith". Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  10. ^ Mercy Ministries. "Locations". Retrieved 2011-07-14.
  11. ^ History
  12. ^ a b "Ministry Leaders Admit Deceits, Agree To Payments, Apologize To Clients". The Tennessean. 18 December 2009. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ UNDERTAKING TO THE AUSTRÄLIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION
  14. ^ Mercy Ministries History, from their website
  15. ^ "Mercy Ministries Has High Success Rate". The Tennessean. 1 August 2008. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ Mercy Ministries. "Mission and Vision". Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  17. ^ Capital Christian Center. "Sermon Archives". Retrieved 2008-06-18. [dead link]
  18. ^ Country Music Marathon via Vimeo. "Dave Ramsey's Team Runs Country Music Marathon 2011 For Mercy Ministries". Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  19. ^ "Faith Shapes Developer Oates' Mark On Area". The Sacramento Bee. 9 May 2010. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ "Make A Special Missions Donation Today". Enjoy Everyday Life. May 2011. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ Surrey Leader. "Surrey pastor completes 100 hole golf challenge". Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  22. ^ Daystar Television Network. "Daystar Television Network Contributes to Mercy Ministries". Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  23. ^ a b Nancy Alcorn Blog. "Matthew West On Mercy Multiplied This Sunday!". Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  24. ^ a b c Mercy Ministries. "Our Program". Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  25. ^ Mercy Ministries News. "Matthew West Invites Mercy Residents To Be His Special Guests!". Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  26. ^ Matthew West Blog. "Mercy Ministries". Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  27. ^ "The Mercy Project". Amazon.com. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  28. ^ "Artist Supporters". Mercy Ministries. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  29. ^ "They prayed to cast Satan from my body" - Sydney Morning Herald, 17 March 2008
  30. ^ "They sought help, but got exorcism and the Bible" - Sydney Morning Herald, 17 March 2008
  31. ^ "No mercy for transgressions" - Sydney Morning Herald, 19 March 2008
  32. ^ Mercy Ministries Australia. "Frequently Asked Questions". Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  33. ^ Mercy Ministries Australia. "Press Center". Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  34. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference tennessean.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  35. ^ "The sky's the limit - Mercy Ministries' success stories" - Hills News, 1 March 2008
  36. ^ "Time to have mercy on the broken of mind and spirits" - Sydney Morning Herald, 17 January 2009
  37. ^ Greater Dandenong Weekly: "Founder stirs up business interest"
  38. ^ "Corporations move quickly to cut ties" - Sydney Morning Herald, 18 March 2008
  39. ^ "The Business Of Giving Mercy" - Sydney Morning Herald, March 18, 2008
  40. ^ "Hillsong – Mercy Ministries no more?"'Sean the Blogonaut' - Mercy Ministries watcher, January 23, 2009
  41. ^ "Mercy Ministries Misinformation Referred To ACCC" - Αustralian Democrats Press Releases, 16 April 2008
  42. ^ Cite error: The named reference urlMercy Ministries admits claims were false was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  43. ^ "Undertaking by Directors of Mercy Ministries Australia" - Αustralian Competition and Consumer Commission, 16 December 2009
  44. ^ [1]ACCC Undertaking 2009
  45. ^ Mercy Survivors
  46. ^ Nashville Scense, Jesus RX
  47. ^ Rhrealitycheck.org, Dark Side of Mercy Ministries
  48. ^ "Mercy Ministries needs more than the Bible for its treatment methods" - The Lincoln News Messenger, March 14, 2012
  49. ^ "Mercy Ministries To Close Home" - The Sydney Morning Herald, June 7, 2008
  50. ^ "Mercy Ministries exorcism books leaked" – LiveNews, 26 November 2008
  51. ^ "Mercy Ministries exorcism books"
  52. ^ a b Mercy Ministries FAQ
  53. ^ Mercy Ministries Update From Australia
  54. ^ Two Fathers Views- Lincoln Messenger
  55. ^ Mercy Ministries, Our Program
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