We are always so excited to connect with our community at our Friends of Mercy Luncheons! On March 9th, we hosted our first luncheon of 2022 in Nashville, TN on the exact date of the 5-year anniversary of our Keys to Freedom study! Members of our local community came together for a time of fellowship where, over a catered lunch, they learned more about the mission of Mercy while also hearing testimonies from people whose lives have been transformed.
One of our residential graduates, Mikayla, shared her powerful story and vulnerably spoke about how God transformed her life during her time at Mercy and all He has been doing since she graduated. We also heard from Mercy staff member, Jenna, who has gone through our Keys to Freedom study several times. She shared how this study has impacted her life and helped her learn how to walk in freedom, saying,
“When Keys to Freedom launched in March 2017, I was two days sober from an addiction that threatened to destroy my life and keep me in silent isolation. I had no idea the journey the Lord was about to take me on, but I held the guide, equipped with the tools, in my hands. After a life-changing experience working through these keys daily, I couldn’t keep this to myself and I began to launch other groups, with the help of the Keys to Freedom Leader Guide. Women in the groups I led also saw the daily and eternal value of this study and after completing the study in my group, they then branched out to lead their own Keys to Freedom groups. God reveals something new every time I do this study. It really is a study I will be using for the rest of my life!”
Both Jenna and Mikayla’s stories of healing and restoration were truly a blessing to all who were in attendance.
Here is what our National Director of Philanthropy had to say about the luncheon:
“We were so blessed to have a full luncheon with guests who desire to learn more about the mission of Mercy! We pray they were blessed in return to hear stories of transformation and all God is doing here at Mercy!”
In celebration of the 5-year anniversary of Keys to Freedom, each attendee received a free copy of the study! It was an extra special touch on an already powerful afternoon. Erin Gentry, our Director of Outreach, said,
“The Friends of Mercy Luncheon landing on the same day as the launch of Keys to Freedom 5 years ago was not intentional on our part, but it was such a God-thing. Seeing Keys to Freedom in the hands of everyone in that room was an expression of the expanded mission of Mercy; to see freedom for all, including those outside of our residential and outpatient programs! It was powerful to hear Jenna, a Keys to Freedom participant who received the study at the launch party 5-years ago, share her testimony of life transformation.”
After the lunch and testimonies, attendees had the opportunity to tour our residential home and connect with Mercy staff. We are so thankful to everyone who spent their afternoon with us at our luncheon and are grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many incredible people in our community.
If you are interested in coming to our next Friends of Mercy Luncheon, click here to see upcoming dates near you! To learn more about our Keys to Freedom study, or purchase your own copy, click here.
