St. Louis Mercy Residents Give Back Through Prison Outreach

January 28, 2016

St. Louis Mercy residents ready to serve with Roy Lormis, Prison Outreach Supervisor

In an effort to honor the generosity of Dave and Joyce Meyer and multiply the hope that’s been extended to them, the St. Louis Mercy residents volunteer every month with Hand of Hope, a missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries (JMM).

Dave and Joyce Meyer are long-time supporters of Mercy Multiplied. In 2005, Dave and Joyce donated the property and funding for the renovations of the current 30-bed St. Louis Mercy home. They have continued to provide generous monthly support toward the work and mission of Mercy and have helped in spreading awareness about Mercy’s residential program by featuring Nancy Alcorn and Mercy graduates on Joyce’s television show, Enjoying Everyday Life, which is aired all over the world.

Each month, the St. Louis Mercy residents partner with JMM’s Hand of Hope Prison Ministry to put together gift bags for prison inmates. Each bag includes personal care items, a book and an encouraging note from JMM. The residents’ monthly bag assembly results in several pallet loads that are then distributed to prisons and go on to make a positive impact in the lives of many incarcerated men and women.

Read what one gift bag recipient wrote to JMM (excerpt taken from Reaching Lives Behind Bars by Roy Lormis):

Mercy residents organizing books to give to prison inmates

I had my first alcohol around age six. By age 14 I was drinking all the time. In 2001 I beat a man with a brake drum from a car, and went to prison. While in prison I received a care package. (I still have the bottle of “God Bless You” shampoo.)

Two months ago, I was again searching for a way to be free from the bondage of alcohol and started reading the Bible and watching preachers on TV, including Joyce. Luke 12:31 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Today I have no desire to drink. God delivered me from the bondage of alcohol. Thanks Joyce! Praise God Almighty!! – Michael W.

Since 1998, JMM’s Hand of Hope Prison Ministry has delivered more than 2.9 million gift bags to inmates worldwide. Through these gifts, the Gospel message has been shared in more than 3,400 prisons in over 45 nations and in all 50 states.

The St. Louis Mercy residents truly enjoy playing a small part in the life-transforming impact of the JMM prison outreach. Here is what some of the girls had to say about their experience:

Working at JMM is so life-giving. I love knowing that my little contribution is having a kingdom-wide impact. It’s been an amazing experience! – Anna

The opportunity to serve at JMM brings me joy and allows me to not get so wrapped up in myself and what’s going on in my life, but is a great time to do something that is bigger than myself and going to benefit thousands of hurting hearts. – Beverly

Having the chance to serve at JMM brings me peace and joy knowing that I’m able to serve hurting people and show them the love of Christ and that freedom is possible. It gives me the opportunity to not focus so much on myself but on others as well. Being able to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ is a huge blessing! – Christa

Mercy is thankful for the partnership of Dave and Joyce Meyer. Because of their ministry and generous example, thousands have found pathways to lasting freedom in Christ.

For more information on how you or your organization can partner with Mercy, click here.