Their initial meeting dates back to a Louisiana conference in 1988. In 2001, Nancy invited the Hamons to speak to the girls in the Nashville home. Since then, she has made a point of bringing the Hamons into various Mercy homes at least twice a year. “Bringing in Pastors Tom and Jane is so strategic for us,” she said. “They have been a huge encouragement to me, my staff and all the girls at Mercy.” Pastor Jane, who travels the world to work with many ministries, stated, “Of all the places I go, the time I spend at Mercy is by far the most rewarding. Nancy is so gifted,
Burney Lamar, Nancy Alcorn and Niki Taylor Photo courtesy of Mercy Ministries
compassionate and yet down to earth. She has done an amazing job of expanding her vision
Nancy’s fascination with the Emerald Coast be-
been very well received by leaders in the area. “I
all over the world. Seeing so many girls’ lives
gan years ago, when making annual trips with
had the opportunity to meet with Dawn Mo-
changed is truly inspirational.”
friends from college to stay at Mainsail in Mira-
literno, president of the Walton County Cham-
mar Beach. They would frequent Bud & Alley’s,
ber of Commerce, and my time with her was so
In April 2008, Mercy Ministries International
a popular beachfront restaurant in Seaside. “I
helpful and informative. I was taken by both her
celebrated its 25th anniversary during a week-
just fell in love with this area,” Nancy said. “It
professionalism and her warmth. I also had the
end full of events in Nashville. On Thursday
has always been a dream of mine to buy a place
wonderful privilege of meeting the mayor of
night, over 800 people attended a gala dinner
in this area.” Recently, that dream was fulfilled
Rosemary Beach, Lee Sage, along with a number
held under a large tent in the middle of LP Field
when she became a homeowner in Seagrove.
of their current residents. I can’t imagine ever
hosted by Kevin Mawae of the Tennessee Titans
“Because of the great love that I have for Walton
being with a group of more wonderful people.
and Shelley Breen of the music group Point of
County, I think I am more excited about having
This only confirms my excitement about being a
Grace. Supermodel Niki Taylor also made an
a Mercy home in this area than any other home
part of Walton County as we plan for our future
appearance with her husband, NASCAR driver
we have ever opened. The warmth of the people
home in this area.”
Burney Lamar, to celebrate the milestone. “Be-
and the beauty of the surroundings make it a
ing in the world of modeling, where everything
perfect setting for young people who are work-
Nancy’s ties to the area were strengthened by
is about appearance, I know all too well how the
ing through difficult issues.” She added that the
her relationship with local pastors and interna-
world places an emphasis on what we see on the
impending opening of the new Mercy home has
tionally known speakers Tom and Jane Hamon.
outside,” Taylor said. “Girls often resort to selfdestructive patterns. I personally support the
Nancy has several publications including Echoes of Mercy and a series of issue-related books. If you know of a girl who needs help, would like to make a donation to this very worthy cause or are interested in the developments of the Florida home, please contact Mercy Ministries using the following information. Nancy has offered to send a complimentary copy of Echoes of Mercy to anyone who contacts Mercy and mentions this article in VIE in an effort to continue the dialogue with this community.
work of Mercy Ministries because I have person-
Mercy Ministries of America Corporate Office P.O. Box 111060 Nashville, TN 37222-1060 USA
mer graduates came to celebrate the weekend.
Tel: (615) 831-6987 General Fax: (615) 315-9749 Admissions Fax: (615) 831-9953 Mercyministries.com E-mail: florida@mercyministries.com
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VIE - Fall / Winter 2008
Or contact Selah Hirsch for information on the Florida location. Selah Hirsch Director of Community Relations P.O. Box 1282 Fenton, MO 63026-1882 shirsch@mercyministries.com Tel: (636) 326-2015 Fax: (636) 326-2082
ally witnessed the changed lives.” The next night, a Celebrate Mercy Concert was hosted by 2004 Miss America, Ericka Dunlap. Two hundred for-
At any given moment, roughly 700 girls are on Mercy’s waiting list in the United States alone; some have died while waiting to be admitted. At Mercy’s 25th anniversary celebration, Kyle and Victoria McCarter shared the story of their daughter, Amber, who died of a drug overdose