by Jacki Miller
“…the first job God put in my heart was to raise money for the ministry. And ultimately that is what Advocates are doing…we are out there raising awareness and planting seeds in hearts for the young women who desperately need our help!”
Jacki Miller was hand picked to raise money for Mercy Canada
I learned about Mercy at a women’s conference in Seattle, that I attend each year. Nancy Alcorn was there in 2001 and that was the first time I had heard about Mercy Ministries. My first reaction to it was that it was a great ministry to give to – but that was it. My husband didn’t share my enthusiasm as he prefers supporting local ministries. But I knew that God had put this ministry in my heart.
Later I heard God say to me that I can be involved in a different way – I could help raise money for this ministry. So I sent a letter off to the head office in Nashville to see if they would let me come and see the home there first hand, as I could not raise money for something I had not personally seen. I never got a reply so I dropped the idea and told God, “I tried!”. Then I went to the annual women’s retreat in Seattle again in the fall of 2002 and Nancy Alcorn was there again! This time the fire in my heart was too strong to ignore! I knew this was something that I was supposed to be a part of! So I went to speak with Nancy after she was done speaking and told her that I would like to come and see the Nashville home. She got right on it and had it set up for me to come!
Nancy Alcorn arranged for Jacki to visit the Nashville home
I was there visiting the home in January 2003. My husband still didn’t understand why I was getting involved in a ministry that was not local, as that was our focus. I didn’t understand either, until I was introduced to one of the young women in the home who was the first Canadian girl to stay in a US home. She was excited to talk to me as a fellow Canadian! She told me she was from Surrey, from Victory Christian Center (now Relate Church), and that John and Helen Burns were working on bringing Mercy to Canada! Now it all made sense! This is why I was drawn to this ministry! It really is LOCAL!
I have been involved in volunteering in the office since the beginning. From the time I first started til the date of the opening of the Canadian home it took 7 ½ yrs! If God would have told be back then that it was going to take that long I would have never made it! God knew what He was doing!
Along the way my work evolved into becoming the Coordinator of the Advocacy program. This is truly where my heart is as the first job God put in my heart was to raise money for the ministry. And ultimately that is what Advocates are doing…we are out there raising awareness and planting seeds in hearts for the young women who desperately need our help! My spirit just comes alive when I have the opportunity to share with someone personally or a group about Mercy Ministries! It is like the story of Jesus in John 4 when Jesus explains to his disciples why he was talking to the woman at the well instead of looking for something to eat!
“My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work.”
Being a part of Mercy Ministries is just that to me – it is the food that sustains me. Hearing the testimonies and seeing the lives changed – there is nothing greater to be a part of! I am so honoured that God has chosen me for this work! I am so thankful to have to opportunity to meet these amazing young women and to see the transformation first hand!
Jacki Miller (Centre) with the first group of Mercy Canada residents
If you would be interested in being a part of the Mercy Ministries Advocacy Team – please contact us! We are looking for individuals who have a heart to see transformation – for lives to be pulled out of darkness… hearts to raise money and spread awareness for this amazing ministry! Together we ARE saving lives!
For all of YOU who support us financially – I can’t THANK YOU enough! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
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