Stories

Bonnie was recently on the WBCL Here's the Takeaway podcast. Take a listen!

As Naomi* navigated uncertainty, housing challenges, and motherhood, Sue chose to stay present through it all. Their story is a beautiful reminder that God often works through faithful relationships, one small step at a time. Read how a conversation at Dunkin’ Donuts became the beginning of something life-changing...

Elise* was working hard to rebuild stability when she faced a dificult question: who would care for her daughter while she kept moving forward? Through a timely hosting arrangement, Ava* stepped into a home where she was not only cared for, but gently introduced to the Gospel through everyday moments she had never experienced before...

Vulnerable families often carry many burdens alone. Prayer is one powerful way we can come alongside parents who are doing everything they can to care for their children during difficult seasons. Here are five meaningful ways you can pray for vulnerable families today...

When Linda said yes to serving as a Family Coach, she knew she was stepping into something bigger than herself, but she didn't yet know how holy and humbling that calling would be. Walking alongside Kiara for a season, she learned how faithfulness is not about finishing the puzzle, but faithfully placing one piece into the hands of the Master Builder...

James and Jennifer Mitchell have been partnering with New Mercies for more than a decade, moving from simply knowing about the mission to becoming deeply invested in it. Read their story to see how becoming a Family Tree giver transformed their connection to protecting children and preserving families through the hope of Christ...

“The Church is already equipped to step into the gap.” Meet Tim Decker, our new Director of Ministry Engagement. We sat down with Tim to hear how his journey, family experiences, and faith shaped his passion for family preservation...

Family preservation ministry does not simply complement the work of the Church. It belongs to the Church. Here are three reasons why...

Sometimes ministry looks like saying yes to something that feels hard. When a single mom needed her daughter picked up at 4:00 a.m. several days a week, one Host Mom felt God’s nudge to serve. Read how she went far beyond what was expected in the end, and became a beautiful answer to prayer...

Meet Amy and Theresa, two friends who have found a sweet way to serve behind the scenes at New Mercies: organizing supplies in our resource closet! From sorting donations to prepping backpacks for kids who are being hosted, they make a big impact. Read how this duo helps us support families behind the scenes...

When Kathy stepped into her role as a mentor, she didn’t know God was already preparing a sweet connection. Single mom Daphne was seeking truth, not just for herself, but for her sons. What began as a Bible study turned into something beautiful. Read how God met them both in unexpected, redemptive ways...

New Mercies Ministries is honored to announce that the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant in support of the Director of Child Hosting position, held by Mindy Theard.

From a crisis call to lasting friendship, Tori’s story shows what happens when The Church steps in with hope. Read how one hosting arrangement became a lifelong journey of redemption for this sweet family...

The holidays are not peaceful for everyone. Domestic violence often increases during this season, leaving many moms and children facing fear instead of joy. In our latest blog post, we share three important things you should know about domestic violence and the holidays.

Prayer fuels everything we do at New Mercies. This month, we are asking you to join us in 3 intentional, Scripture-based ways to pray—for volunteers, families, and the heart of the ministry. Your prayers make an eternal impact. Read the full post and stand in the gap with us...

Ever wonder what it’s like to be the first voice a struggling parent hears when they reach out for help? Meet Deb and Randy Koepke, a retired couple serving on the New Mercies Support Line—and discover how they’re making an eternal impact one phone call at a time...

What started as a quick office errand turned into a life-changing moment for a mom in crisis. Read how God's perfect timing—and one staff member’s willingness to show up—opened the door to hope, stability, and safe hosting for baby Matteo. Read the full story of Talia’s providential encounter.

Join Hayli, our Communications and Grants Specialist, as she spends some time with a Host Family and the 2 boys they hosted on a recent Saturday...

When Bianca* found herself overwhelmed and alone, she turned to New Mercies in search of help for her son, Darius*. What unfolded next was more than a short-term hosting—it was the Church becoming family. From meals and prayer to a three-hour drive to a medical appointment, the journey that followed shows how God meets needs through His people.

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes before a child is hosted? It all starts with a phone call—and often, it’s a parent in crisis on the other end. Meet Darriell, our Support Line Supervisor, who leads the team standing in that sacred gap every week. From urgent requests to quiet prayers, she’s part of how hope begins...

Tyler called the New Mercies Support Line during one of the hardest times in his life. As a single dad and new to the area, he was struggling to provide for his daughters. When Shannon answered his phone call, Tyler found more than just advice — he found someone who listened, prayed, and reminded him he was not alone...

Family Coaches walk with moms on their journey from crisis to stability. We followed Taylor, one of our amazing coaches, for a morning as she prepped for a hosting. It was a sweet time of watching her heart for moms – along with some special guests!

When Holly needed hope, God surrounded her with a Christ-centered community. Through the faithful presence of Cassie and Lindsey, Holly experienced what it means to be known, supported, and deeply loved. This is the beauty of the Body of Christ in action: volunteers standing in the gap, not just for children, but also for their parents.

Ever wondered what happens in a hosting, from the first call to when kids return to their parents' homes? In this post, you'll learn how each hosting comes together – and the important steps every family takes to move from isolation to community and hope.

Seventeen-year-old Maggie started her hosting alone and unsure of what to do next. But then she met Host Mom Tiffany and Family Coach Becki, and the Lord began to work in her life...

Meet Mindy, our Family Coach Manager. Mindy's role is a huge part of what makes this ministry so effective at supporting vulnerable families. She recently gave us a behind-the-scenes look at why she serves, what her role looks like, and what makes a great Family Coach...

The Bickels met Amara when she was a baby, hosting her for one week last year. But that was only the start of their sweet relationship with Amara and her mother, Star. Eight months later, a friendship has formed, and the Bickels are part of this precious family's village of support...

At New Mercies, we walk with families through some of life’s hardest seasons. In those moments, what we’ve seen time and time again is this: grace changes everything. It meets parents amidst their challenges and volunteers in their weariness. There are so many verses in the Bible about God's grace. Here are 5 that help define this beautiful work of God...

When Family Coach Jeanne first met Celeste and Jamie, she was walking alongside the couple while their child was being hosted. But a real friendship grew out of that coaching relationship, and it became something sweet and meaningful for Jeanne and her husband, Mike...

What is family preservation? You may have heard the term before but never understood what it meant and why it should matter to you. But families are close to God's heart and should be close to ours as well. Here are 4 things to know about family preservation...

Host Mom Sarah had muted the New Mercies group chat, where hosting requests are sent out. She and her husband were on pause from hosting—she was eight months pregnant and physically couldn’t host at the time. But somehow, that day, the group chat unsnoozed...

Supporting the vulnerable is a big part of God's heart for the world – but it can feel impossible for one person to make a difference. What if supporting families was something everyone could be a part of? Find out 3 ways you can help families in your daily life who are working through a difficult time ...

Our volunteers have many organic opportunities to share their faith in the Lord with the children and parents we serve. Even living in a home where prayer is a regular habit can be a new thing for hosted children – providing a great opportunity to share about Jesus. A recent hosting of two precious girls showed just how powerful faith lived out in normal routines can be...

When Logan reached out to us, he was determined to keep his one-year-old daughter, Eliana, out of foster care. Though Logan and Eliana’s mother were not in a relationship and lived in different counties, he was doing his best to be there for his daughter...

Imagine moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language – with an 11-month-old son. Your family is not here, and you are 9 months pregnant. When you need to deliver your baby, who is going to watch your son? That’s when New Mercies stepped up for Roseline...

New Mercies volunteers are there for parents during their hardest moments. They offer not just practical help but a listening ear and a source of encouragement. Our volunteers walk with parents in both victories and setbacks. Often, the path forward is uncertain, but we commit to being there, trusting...

At New Mercies, we want to be there for families on their journey to stability, not just for a week-long hosting. It often takes more than a quick fix to get through the tough situations each parent faces. Our goal is to connect parents to the support they need for as long as they need it. That might be....

At New Mercies Ministries, our volunteers don’t just help meet immediate needs—they faithfully share the hope of the Gospel and the love of Christ. This is often most powerful in relationship, as volunteers build rapport with parents. The ongoing relationship between Jeanne, a Family Coach, and Ja'Ryah*...

Jenna* reached out to New Mercies several months ago, overwhelmed by the challenges of single-parenting two children. She was struggling to keep up with bills because she had no one to watch her children while she worked extra hours. This put Jenna at risk of losing important necessities like housing...

Most of the families New Mercies serves have young children. Volunteers love on children as they learn to walk, talk, and interact with other people. But sometimes, a Host Family feels called to host a teen who needs a stable place to live. While rare, this type of hosting can start a beautiful relationship. The Host Family is able to speak into the life...

It takes many volunteers to host a child. Host Families open their homes for a hosting. Several Support Volunteers might bring meals or transport a child. The Family Coach helps coordinate these moving parts so that each child is cared for in a loving home and his or her parent can regain stability. This process is always a beautiful example of believers...

Every hosting is an opportunity to see God at work in His world. He is present in all the decisions that go into supporting a family through hosting, from selecting the Host Family to appointing the Family Coach. We do our best to match volunteers with the families they can uniquely minister to. But sometimes God does what only He can do...

When it comes to sharing the Gospel, service-oriented organizations like New Mercies often need to balance meeting the needs of the vulnerable, while at the same time providing the most important news anyone will hear. While being mindful of timing and cultural differences, we never want to compromise our mission of...

New Mercies seeks to stand in the gap for parents in crisis, whether that crisis is the first or fourth for a parent. By providing a family-like network of support, our desire is for parents to feel safe to call us again if they need help navigating future challenges. This also means volunteers can form deeper relationships with parents, often leading to more...

At New Mercies, we try to match Host Families with the child or children that will be the best fit for their situation and capacity to serve. Staff members want to make sure that both the mom and the child feel loved and supported throughout their hosting. We also pay attention…

One of the most beautiful parts of coming alongside vulnerable families in our communities is watching God form special friendships between volunteers and kids or parents served. Few stories show this as clearly as one that happened this summer.