Jump to content

Mercy Multiplied

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 70.148.121.218 (talk) at 19:52, 30 April 2008. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
For the Catholic religious order, see Sisters of Mercy.

Mercy Ministries is an international faith-based charitable organization whose stated mission is "to provide opportunities for young women to experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power."

Mercy Ministries values every young woman’s life and believes in her future. Young women come to Mercy Ministries desperate to fill the emptiness in their lives that the world has failed to satisfy. Mercy Ministries responds to this need by providing a safe, Christ-centered environment free of charge that allows young women the ability to find and embrace hope for their future. By accepting Christ’s love and forgiveness, these young women are freed from past circumstances and equipped to take hope out into the world.

The guiding principles of Mercy Ministries are to tithe 10% to other ministries, take girls in free of charge, and never accept money with strings attached or that would inhibit the ability to share Biblical truths with the residents.

The organization started in the United States in Louisiana 1983 by its President and Founder, Nancy Alcorn, and has since expanded to Nashville, TN and St. Louis with plans underway to open a home in Lincoln, CA.[1] [2]

Mercy Ministries operates in Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and has plans for homes in Canada and Peru.[citation needed]

Funding

Mercy Ministries receives its funds from the Christian community, businesses, foundations and other individuals. Mercy Ministries' 2004 audit showed 77% of donated funds went directly to program costs[citation needed].

In Australia, Gloria Jean's Coffees is Mercy Ministries’ major corporate sponsor. "Gloria Jean’s Coffees chose to support Mercy Ministries because there is a need in Australia for a dedicated charity that helps women with these difficult issues," said Peter Irvine, Co-Founder of Gloria Jean's Coffees.[3]. Another explanation for the sponsorship is that one of the founders of Gloria Jean's in Australia, Nabi Saleh, sits on the Hillsong Church Board. [1]

These programs are advertised in pamphlets available at Gloria Jean's outlets in Australia [2], though the organisation's connection to the Hillsong Church [3] is not mentioned.

Controversy

On 17 March 2008, an article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, containing allegations of mistreatment by several former clients of Mercy Ministries in Australia. They claim the organisation has made false claims about its services, and that instead of receiving counselling from qualified professionals, they were placed in the care of Bible studies students who treated them with techniques including exorcisms and prayer readings. [4] Australian Government agencies such as Centrelink have also been drawn into the controversy, as residents are required to transfer their benefits to Mercy Ministries. There are also allegations that the group receives a carers payment to look after the young women.

Mercy Ministries says 96 young women have "graduated" from its program since its inception in 2001. But many have apparently been expelled without warning and with no follow up or support. ("They sought help, but got exorcism and the Bible", Sydney Morning Herald, March 17, 2008)

Peter Irvine, a director of Mercy Ministries and co-founder of Gloria Jean's Coffees, has stated, in response to the allegations, that Mercy Ministries had received "overwhelming positive feedback from graduates, their families and the community" and that clients were made aware of the details of the programs before they joined.[5] Since the allegations were first made public, several other former clients have come forward, reporting negative experiences and abuse at the hands of Mercy Ministries.[6]

Gloria Jean's Coffees, a major sponsor of Mercy Ministries, has stated that, despite the allegations, it does not intend to change its funding arrangements for Mercy Ministries. Several other corporate sponsors have announced that they will be severing their connection with Mercy Ministries.[7][8]

On 16th April 2008, the Australian Democrats announced that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) would be investigating Mercy Ministries Australia over their alleged misrepresentation. The Democrats claim that Mercy Ministries advertised that their program provided professional medical and psychiatric care for their patients, however the young women were placed in the care of Bible College students who were unqualified to treat mental illness. It is also alleged that Mercy Ministries advertised that they did not charge young women to be part of their program, however the ministry did require payment from young women in the form of their Centrelink benefits. [9]

In 2006 it was revealed that Nancy Alcorn, founder of Mercy Ministries, earned $178,583.00 from the charity for the financial year.[10] The wages paid to other directors of Mercy Ministries are unknown.

References

  1. ^ Mercy Ministries. "History". Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  2. ^ Mercy Ministries. "Our Founder". Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  3. ^ Mercy Ministries - Corporate | Corporate Partnerships |
  4. ^ "They prayed to cast Satan from my body" - Sydney Morning Herald, March 17 2008
  5. ^ "Cult-rescue group 'concerned about' Mercy Ministries" - The Age, March 18 2008
  6. ^ "No mercy for transgressions" - Sydney Morning Herald, March 19 2008
  7. ^ "Corporates move quickly to cut ties" - Sydney Morning Herald, March 18 2008
  8. ^ "The Business Of Giving Mercy" - Sydney Morning Herald, March 18 2008
  9. ^ "Mercy Ministries Misinformation Referred To ACCC" - Αustralian Democrats Press Releases, March 16 2008
  10. ^ "Charity Navigator" - Charity Navigator Rating Mercy Ministries, 2006
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mercy_Multiplied&oldid=209298265"