One Heart Ladies Believe Conference

Hi Girls! Remember the saying, Good things come to those who wait? Well, Thanks for waiting. I have had quite a few of you asking me about details for the upcoming conference. Good news is, there are many details on the wesbite at http://www.oneheartladies.org/.

As of today, there is an option to print off your registration and send it in to our office. Not so good news – Due to technical difficulties, our online registration page has been delayed.

I have no doubt that the hinderances we are experiencing are due to what an incredible conference this is going to be. Details are coming together, surprises are in the works and the Holy Spirit is READY to meet us.

As soon as the page is ready for online registration I will get the word out. Until then, mark your calendars, book your hotels, tell all your friends and get ready because the 2011 One Heart BELIEVE conference is going to be over the top!!!

Love ya!

10.10.10 campaign for Mercy Ministries News

As we begin to wrap up the year 2010 I am reminded of the incredible opportunities that the One Heart Ladies of Tennessee have had this year.

One of the most amazing opportunities we had this year was to build a relationship with Mercy Ministries.  At our July Conference, we met the Mercy girls from the Nashville, TN home and saw their beautiful faces.  It was so awesome to have those 40 girls with us but the reality of how many more girls need the help of Mercy Ministries weighed on our hearts.

We committed to a day of making a difference – we called it 10.10.10.  On October 10, 2010 people all over the state of Tennessee and beyond gave sacrificially in order to plant a seed into the fertile soil of Mercy. 

I am so pleased to announce today that after all funds have been counted, we raised $20,173 for Mercy Ministries – to God be all the glory.

I got a call today from a staff member at Mercy who was blown away by the generosity of our Ladies.  She sent a note of THANKS to just show a small piece of how your giving changes lives:

To all of my generous sisters,

Everyone here at Mercy Ministries can’t thank you enough for your generous support and donations.  You are helping to bring hope, healing and life transformation, found through Christ, to hundreds of hurting young women.  

We appreciate your gracious and servant’s hearts!

I thought the best way I can express our thanks is to share a few stories from two of our Mercy residents who graduated this week.

From Pam:

Before Mercy, I struggled with an eating disorder, drug and alcohol addiction, self-harm, and depression.  I was a victim of sex trafficking and managed to escape but later found myself pregnant by a casual friend. I gave my daughter up for adoption but my life was chaotic.  It was a dark and scary time and I didn’t know or care about God.  I heard about Mercy at a Barlow Girl concert and decided to get help.

During my time at Mercy, God has shown me that I am not an accident.  The times of praise and worship really helped me to seek Him and feel His presence.  He has also given me a deep appreciation for the Bible. Jesus is my true love and I’m excited to share His hope with others back home.

After graduation, I am going to St. Louis Christian College to get an Urban Missions degree.  

From Ally:

Before coming to Mercy, I struggled to get up each morning and survive the day. I tried to deal with life by numbing myself. My family had high expectations for me.  Their support was based on my performance and I considered myself a burden to my family and the world. I spent most of my life trying to please others, but always fell short. I learned to wear masks and self-harmed to cope with my pain. I could no longer afford seeing my Christian counselor, so when I heard about Mercy and that I could go there FREE of charge, I thought there might be hope for me.
 
While at Mercy, I decided to give my life to Christ.  I have learned that God is not the author of pain and that He loves me despite the choices I have made.  He has shown me His unconditional love and how much He values me.  Now I can see all the miracles He has done in my life.  
 
After graduation, I am moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. I plan to get involved in church as God continues to reveal His plans for me. I want to use my testimony to impact others and one day I plan to help victims of sex trafficking and girls facing unplanned pregnancy.

Amen!  At one point these girls felt so unworthy and many of them lost all desire to live.  But, with your help, they received FREE care, have been restored and have a bright future!  Thank you for recognizing the value of the young women we serve and the transformation that is awaiting them!  

We pray that you will be blessed this Christmas and know that through your support, you give the greatest gift of all to these young women – the gift of life with Christ!

Blessings,

Eve Annunziato
Church and Media Relations Director

Girls – What we do makes a difference.  I am so very thankful that girls like you are willing to go beyond yourselves and see the bigger picture – that what we do matters for eternity.

Merry Christmas with Love~

What is Life all about anyways?

Today it is freezing outside – I mean it is 22 degrees.  I dropped my kids off at school and came back home – just in time to have to pull the garbage cans to the road before the trash truck comes.  I was thoroughly put out at how cold I was.

 It was a quick reminder that tonight as I preach under the Jefferson Street Bridge to our Homeless friends, how cold I will be.  As this thought went through my mind it was quickly followed by the voice of the Holy Spirit that said - ”Yes, but as soon as you are finished you will get back into your warm car with heated seats, drive to your warm home and crawl into your comfortable bed with electric blanket on HIGH.  If you are hungry you will find any number of things to eat in your refrigerator or pantry.  You will kiss your healthy children goodnight and share your day with your loving husband.”

 After feeling like I was punched in the gut I stood in my kitchen, made a cup of coffee and listened to my ipod play Christmas music about Jesus coming to earth as a baby.  It was then that the question went thru my mind…what is life all about and how often do I get my focus in the wrong place.  Life is difficult many times but no matter what we are going thru, we ALL have something to be thankful for.

 I am honored to be the ladies director for the state of TN Assemblies of God.  Part of my assignment is to raise money for Missionaries.  These people have been called to leave their homes, families, familiarity and comfort to go across the world and minister to children who have been in the sex trafficing industry, to bring the HOPE of Jesus to the people who have not yet heard, to give THEIR LIVES for the lives of others. 

  I read this morning updates from the missionaries that are from Tennessee.  Their goal in life is not to see their kid win the little league trophy or to own the biggest home or to even be with family for Christmas.  Their goal is to just raise enough money to get to people on the other side of the world that they dont even know so that they can show the love of God.  THAT, my friends, is what life is all about.

 I write this today, not to make us feel guilty, but to call us to action.  We can do without that manicure, new pair of boots, starbucks for a day, we can even skip a meal and do something that will impact a LIFE for Eternity.

 So, look around you today.  What is God putting in your heart to do??? 

 Who needs help?  Who needs your love? Who needs a gift?  Who needs groceries? Who needs a warm meal?

 I am putting this out there as a challenge because we can ALL do SOMETHING.

  Every year we give $100 to foreign missionaries around the world to help out a little bit during Christmas.  If its in your heart to do something and you dont know what – help with that!

 Go to www.oneheartladies.org go to World Fund and donate on the right.  All proceeds go to missionaries.

 Its Christmas and we are the most blessed people in the world.  Lets all act like it today.

All my Love~  Shelayne

 

Update on 10.10.10

Dear Friends,

It has been almost a month since 10.10.10 and you girls have amazed me.  We are continuing to receive letters, checks and donations for Mercy Ministries and I just want to say WOW!  If you have not yet sent in your “jar” money or your church donations you still have time before we tally the final count.  I will be sending out an “official” number in the next few weeks so stay tuned.  I know many of you are anxious to see what we have raised for the Mercy Ministries CHARLOTTE home fund – I am too!  Lets continue to pray that God will bring in the funds needed, that He will multiply the seeds sown back into the lives of the girls that gave and that HE alone will receive all the glory.

I am requesting that all monies raised for 10.10.10 be sent in by Dec 3. There is still money coming in weekly so if we can get it all in by then, we can send it all at once to Mercy.

For more information about the 10.10.10 campaign, visit www.oneheartladies.org

I LOVE you girls and am so very honored to serve as the director of One Heart!

10.10.10

Girls – Our help is needed!

In Matthew 25 Jesus says, Feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, show love to the criminal and care for the sick. He goes on to say, When we do this for someone overlooked or ignored, we do it for HIM.

One Heart Ladies have taken this command and we are determined to make a difference for those who need us.

What?

On October 10, 2010, I am challenging EVERY lady (men can give too!) across TN to join with One Heart and give at LEAST $10.

Ten (10) – Biblical Meaning: completeness that happens in a divine order. There’s nothing that is left wanting within the complete cycle the number ten has just completed.

Why?

At our Dare to Dream conference, we heard Nancy Alcorn share the enormous need that they have at Mercy Ministries for people to partner with them. We have accepted the challenge in a BIG WAY! Our One Heart Ladies are raising funds in their ladies groups, churches, workplaces, social clubs, etc. to help build the NEW Mercy Ministries Home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Over 3000 girls a MONTH call Mercy Ministries for help. They need more space and we are running out of time!

How?

However works for you! Join forces in your local church ladies group and give together. Reference the ‘How to Give‘ column on World Fund page to then send your 10.10.10 giving to the One Heart World Fund.

Show the Mercy Ministries Video at your church or ladies group and take an offering. Mercy Ministries is fertile soil and we are promised when we sow we will reap in abundance.

Funds can be donated online at www.oneheartladies.org or mailed to PO BOX 358, Madison, TN 37115.

I’m calling on you to get involved. Lets join forces with One Heart and make a difference for eternity!

Love ya!

Costa Rica

Hello dear friends!

I am writing today with an incredible testimony of what happens when we come together with ONE HEART to see things happen.

A few months ago you saw my post about the call we received of a need in Costa Rica – It looked something like this:

March 17, 2010:

I come to you today with much excitement and anticipation of an incredible missions opportunity that the Lord has opened for us.  A few months back Jacquie Cartledge, veteran missionary to Costa Rica, called me and told me of a dire need they have at Cincel Bible School where they serve.

Cincel is a Bible School that touches the entire world for Christ.  All missionaries that must learn Spanish before going to their chosen field train at Cincel.  Every Spanish Speaking country in the WORLD is touched by this Bible School.  The school is filled to capacity.  Amazingly enough, the Lord sent some men’s teams from Tennessee to build another facility to house students.  This is where the Ladies of TN come in.  This facility needs paint, beds, mattresses, shower curtains, sheets, kitchen supplies, linens, curtains, etc. in order for students to be able to move in.

On July 25, nine of us left Nashville and traveled to Costa Rica where we painted, scraped, cleaned and prepared the new facility for students to move into.  The supplies that we needed were ALL provided.  YES -EVERYTHING WE NEEDED.  God gave us favor with a local store that provided $500 in linens, bathroom supplies, kitchen utensils, curtains, etc.

Many individuals and churches raised funds and donated to see this project taken on and COMPLETED for the GLORY of GOD!

Today I say THANKS!  We may not all be able to give a great amount of money to see a project accomplished but when we ALL come together with ONE HEART and do our best – God makes up the rest.

YOU who got involved and gave funds, gave time or gave of yourself by praying changed lives and will see lives in Heaven there because of your sacrifice.

I am so honored to serve along side of such amazing girls!

Love ya!

One Heart World Fund Update

Hello my dear friends!

What a summer it has been.  We have had our annual One Heart conference and what amazing fun that was!  If you were not there – we missed you.

I wanted to tell you today of the AMAZING things that God has done this year so far through our One Heart ladies – YOU have truly made a difference for the Kingdom of God.

*    You gave $500 for Flood relief in Tennessee – AWESOME!

*    You gave almost 250 pairs of shoes for SOLE MISSION – AWESOME!!

*    You gave ALL the funds needed to supply a new living facility at Cincel Language School in San Jose Costa Rica to enable more missionaries to learn the language and get to their fields – AWESOME!!!

Some of the many shoes that were donated for Sole Mission!

Our ladies team volunteering and ministering in Costa Rica last month.

The abundance of supplies that were donated to the Cincel Language School in San Jose Costa Rica.

One Heart Ladies are MAKING A DIFFERENCE – Please do not stop!

The World is a better place when we unite with ONE HEART…

Love ya!

Partnering with Mercy Ministries

Dear God Girls,

Over the last year God has connected us with many new friends in ministry.  One of these friends is Nancy Alcorn.  If you have heard Nancy speak you know the passion with which she serves God and people.  One Heart has committed to take an active role in partnering with Mercy with our prayers, with our financial support and with our love.

I had the privilege of going to lunch the other day with a girl who is currently living in the Mercy home here in Nashville. She told me that Mercy Ministries has “changed my life”.  She shared of the unconditional love that she received as soon as she walked through the doors.  She talked of how this experience was the hardest of her life but the best in her life.  After sitting with this beautiful God girl yesterday, I was reminded of OUR responsibility to:  Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, visit the imprisoned and care for the sick…For when we do these things to one person who has been overlooked or ignored, we do it to Jesus.  Matthew 25 msg.

Please take the time to read the below note from Nancy Alcorn.  If you want to partner with us as we partner with Mercy, go to www.oneheartladies.org and click on OH World Fund and go to the bottom to donate.  These girls are precious – Mercy is truly helping to save lives every day!

Love you BIG!

Dear Shelayne,

We are receiving an unprecedented number of calls for help – over 75 new phone calls each day from girls who desperately want to be saved from death (that is over 1500 calls each month). We are so thankful that, because of the generous support of our faithful partners, we are able to help 130 girls at any one given time completely free of charge.

We realize that times are tough right now for so many people, yet many of you have asked me to give you the opportunity to give when we need it most. That is why I am writing today; I am asking for your help.

I know that many of you keep us in your prayers, and we appreciate those prayers. But prayer alone will not get the job done. We need people who will both pray and give.

Let me help you understand how critical the need is. Listen to the words of two young women who are currently on our waiting list:

“I can’t live like this anymore. I don’t want to die. I miss laughing and being silly. I forgot what it’s like to think about something other than bingeing, purging or cutting myself. I want my mind back. I want my sanity back. I want to live for something good and wonderful. I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to be stuck like this forever.” Anna (name changed for privacy)

“I know deep down I want to live. You are my last chance. Please don’t shut the door on me like everyone else has before.” Kim (name changed for privacy)

There are so many young women like Anna and Kim who want to find restoration and healing. With your help, we can reach them. What you give today not only provides for the 130 girls currently in our homes, but it also makes a way for girls who are still waiting to be able to come to Mercy.

As I have shared with you before, from time to time we receive word that a young woman on our waiting list has died either from a drug overdose, issues related to an eating disorder, or even from suicide. This is so tragic, and we are asking you to help us make a difference.

We are confident that God will provide for our needs, but we want to make sure that you know we need the help now and to give you the opportunity to respond.

Together, we are making a way for desperate young women to experience God’s love, the only love that can save them and set them free. Please make a donation to Mercy today.

Thank you for your continued support,

Nancy Alcorn
Founder and President

Know Him Deeper.

Over the last few months, well, really over the last year the Lord has been taking me on a journey.  The journey has had many turns, dips, ups and downs. This journey started as I was hanging out with HIM in prayer and I said “GOD – MESS ME UP FOR YOU!”

I can tell you – I never expected what has transpired. He has pruned me, purged me, refined me, and strengthened me in ways I have never experienced.  It has been the most challenging yet most rewarding year of my life because as I have walked with Him, He has taught me the biggest lesson of my life – Knowing WHO HE is and how BIG HE is.

I want to encourage you today to go deeper with Him – He wants to show you WHO HE IS.  Because, girls, when we truly know WHO HE IS – we will not live life in fear, doubt or discouragement. He is SO much bigger than we can imagine and the truth is – He is already TOTALLY MESSED UP over us!

He said this about you:

I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way,

who can’t see where they’re going.

I’ll be a personal guide to them,

directing them through unknown country.

I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take,

make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.

These are the things I’ll be doing for them—

sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute. Isaiah 42:16 MSG

Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.

I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you’re between a rock and a hard place,

it won’t be a dead end—

Because I am God, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you…

That’s how much you mean to me!

That’s how much I love you!

I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,

trade the creation just for you.  Isaiah 43:1-4 MSG

To be reminded of how BIG your God is, spend some time in Isaiah 43-45.  I really like to read it in the Amplified version and the Message.

When the enemy likes to remind you of your failures, take him to Is 44:21-22:

“I, the Lord, made you,

and I will not forget you.

I have swept away your sins like a cloud.

I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist.

Oh, return to me,

for I have paid the price to set you free.”

Wherever you are in life today, I challenge you to make the decision TODAY to go deeper with Him, to truly surrender YOU and to not hold back.  What you are most fearful of Him doing in your life will end up being the most amazing thing that has ever happened to you.

Love,

Nashville Flood Relief

Calling all God Girls!

Nashville and the surrounding area needs our help! The flood victims need your prayers and your financial help.

Photo cred: Stephen Yeargin

Here is just a glimpse of the devastation that this city has felt over the past few days:

Video by Michael Deppisch

Please join with the Tennessee Assemblies of God and One Heart and donate funds at www.tnaog.org Go to online giving and in the notes mark it “One Heart World Fund-Flood relief” or send a check to One Heart-TN District AOG at PO Box 358 Madison, TN 37115.

For more information on how the TN District is helping flood victims go to www.TNAOG.org/flood

Our fellow Tennesseeans need our help! Let’s show them what our Tennessee ladies are all about–coming together with ONE HEART!

Love ya!