CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR 2010 ESTIMATE OF GIVING

The difference your giving makes...
We could go on forever about the compassion and assistance we received from Mercy Street and other organizations, friends, and even strangers after Hurricane Ike. Mercy Street from the very beginning offered help. Suzanne organized volunteers to come down and help strip floors and paint, demo and clean up. Mercy Street gave us gift cards to Home Depot and so we were able to keep going on the house. We are so grateful for the kind words and genuine friendship from all the volunteers. I even had fun, stripping floors with the church ladies! The grace with which help was given humbled me. I hope that Tony and I will one day be able to help someone as we have been helped.
- Catherine Hale

When I came to Mercy Street six years ago my life was a mess. I had smoked up most of my relationships and the only thing I had left was a God that still loved me. Before I got into recovery I selfishly hoarded my time and money. I had achieved most of my post-college goals but not ONE of them involved serving God with my time or the money I was blessed to earn. Mercy Street has given me an opportunity to change my life and become a giver of both time and money – spiritual practices that my life was lacking. At first, I could only give my time by helping with the Set Up team. I then began giving to the Carpenter’s Box sporadically. Not much at first - I was working seven days a week to save for a car and pay past due child support. As I continued in recovery my income improved and I began giving regularly and eventually started tithing. I finally realized it was God’s money, not mine. I continue to practice these spiritual principles to the best of my ability. I love this place. I love the people at Mercy Street and want to support the programs that can help the Hurt, the Lost, the Seeking - the person I was when I walked into Mercy Street for the first time.
- Shane Schlemeyer

Most of my adult life was spent in the turmoil of alcoholism. It wasn’t until I was sent to prison for related consequences that I was truly rescued from my alcoholism when I surrendered my life to God and truly repented my ways through Jesus. While incarcerated, I was introduced to Mercy Street through an inmate who suggested I sign up to receive their sermons, I also requested a pen pal and God sent me Peggy. Upon my release I was able to meet Peggy in person and get to actually know some of the people who shared their stories, struggles and hope. Peggy offered me a position with the ministry transcribing sermons just as someone had done for me. I am so very blessed to be able to help others and spread God’s word to those who may still be just as lost as I was. Mercy Street has offered me fellowship, hope and encouragement. I knew I wasn’t alone both in prison and when I was released because of Mercy Street’s ministry, and how much easier my transition was because of you all. Thank you so much Peggy. Thank you so much
Mercy Street.
- Jody Newhouse
At Mercy Street we spend little time talking about money because we believe that God gives us what we need to be who God is calling us to be. My Piece of the Street is simply a way for us to get in on what God is doing by becoming willing and grateful and generous partners with God by giving ourselves to him and to each other. And for that reason, our giving is important. We get to contribute to what God is creating through this remarkable community called Mercy Street. We give out of gratitude because we are grateful to God and to each other. We give as a hands-on way to extend generosity to others so many more will come to know the same generosity extended and expressed to us by God and by this community. Here’s how the Scripture talks about it: “I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give... God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.” - 2 Corinthians 9:6-9. Thank you for contributing your Piece of the Street. All of our pieces together contribute to God’s creative whole making something beautiful and generous for the sake of others.

Grateful to be your pastor,

- Gregg