This text was posted on the Mercy Ministries Australia site yesterday:
It is with deep regret and sadness we have to inform you that Mercy Ministries in Australia is no longer in operation. Due to internal circumstances and challenges, Mercy Ministries Incorporated will be dissolved as an entity. We have encountered extreme financial challenges and a steady drop in our support base to the point where we are no longer financially viable. Mercy Ministries has been proud to serve the young women of Australia for nine years and to help hundreds of young women find freedom from life controlling issues. Mercy Ministries is grateful to the many individuals, businesses, and churches who have sacrificed and given over the years to make this program possible.
Margaret Stunt
Executive Director, Mercy Ministries Incorporated
Board Member, Mercy Ministries Incorporated
It seems that the money and support have finally dried up. I wonder if Mercy had reviewed their treatment regime, produced something based in science and adequate research, as opposed to some extreme right biblical views they might have had a chance.
I am glad that Mercy is gone. I am Glad that they will no longer have a hand in the treatment of mentally ill women.
This happiness is tempered somewhat by the knowledge that the women who sought help and those still seeking it have issues and needs to be met.
Let’s hope another crazy religious institution doesn’t step up to the plate.
Related posts:
- Compassion Australia quietly removing reference to Mercy Ministries? One of my readers notes that an article I...
- Hillsong distancing itself from Mercy Ministries One of my readers suggested I take a gander at...
- Mercy Ministries engaged in misleading conduct, directors forced to pay $118,154 The ACCC (The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has released...
Loading ...
Interesting to see what happens to the 'renovated property' that was funded primarily by donations……
Perhaps the proceeds can go to the girls who gave up their social security payments (or am I thinking too freely)
Actually Phil, that's a damn good question. But one that is probably out of my ability to answer. I am not sure what sort of legal entity they are. Incorporated bodies have constitutions that generally deal with the disposal of assets.
Here is the information, but again I am not upon on NSW legislation:
Mercy Ministries Incorporated (ABN 70 106 823 922) is an autonomous not-for-profit charitable organisation registered in New South Wales. We are a nationally registered public benevolent institution ("PBI") and deductible gift recipient ("DGR"), which means that all donations of $2 or more to Mercy Ministries in Australia are fully tax deductible.
I'm not sure where the asset came from (was it lent / donated)- but perhaps whoever is going to reap from the sale of this asset could make a donation equivalent to the extra capital derived from to NSW Health who actually are qualified to help the girls who need pscychological help (including those who have been exorcised!)
Glad that they are gone. I'd still have liked to see them legally brought to account, but hopefully this at least means that organisations like MM aren't going to find the kind of support in Australia that they seem to enjoy in the USA.
Would be nice if there was a knock on effect around the world. I think bringing them to account may have highlighted just how poor oversight of this area i.
You made my day, Sean. My week and year as well. I do think that we need to be concerned for the girls who won't be "getting" help from Mercy anymore, but this is still a great development. By the way, you should check out Sovreign Grace Ministries. Even worse than Mercy, and even larger.
Thanks goes to reader phil for picking up the early mail. I am just the messenger. I will enjoy the victory for a little while before looking into Sovereign Grace (no doubt a depressing tale to be had there)
Absolutely. I think everyone should feel great about this. For a long time, I thought it wasn't going to happen, but fate works in mysterious ways. I'm still letting it sink in myself.
Lets hope the UK and US papers pick up on it. Phil above has a good point about donations, wonder where the money is going that they bilked out of supporters
One down ~99999999+ remaining.
These alligations are horrible! Give them a break! For 26 years Mercy Ministries have seen so many women set free and healed from devistating issues that have controlled their lives. These girls are taken in, free of charge. They apply for the program (with a full description of what it's about…what they do, how they do it, whats involved etc) They commit THEMSELVES….BY CHOICE!
Hi Lucy,
They were not taken in free of charge, prior to the scandal surfacing it was required that centrelink benefits be handed over. Also prior to the scandal it was not clear what sort of "christian" counselling service this was. Mercy and other fundamentalist service providers are very good out portraying what the do in an almost secular language. So perhaps you benefited from the changes brought about by the scandal. I have read the original application form and the manual which was received only after clients were committed.
Oh, Lucy. You are so wrong. I was not given a full description of anything. I was picked up by a church member of a friend at the airport, taken to a church, held down, prayed over. They pushed my friend out the door, took me to a cabin in God knows where, and then I was taken to Mercy. I had never even stepped foot in the church of these people that took me. My friend had only attended a tent meeting there and met this church member. She went with my friend to pick me up at the airport. I had been drinking and had just left by boyfriend of 3 years. Then it all began. See next post.
Yeh sure, they can go to hospital and get the 'right' treatment. I went to hospital myself…actually a few times. It was a horrible place.I am a strong beleiver in rehabilitetion throught the mental health system. But I also found that true healing came through relationship, counsel,prayer, grace and mercy. Thousands of women have been set free from the issues that they're facing. I have met many women come out of Mercy, completely changed. I actually met a couple at university! So pleeease!!! Look at some of the posotives! This hasn't been brought to court yet because there is not enough supporting evidence, so when they FIND that evidence then you can say'I told you so'.
Where did I say that hospital was the right treatment? The actual evidence (based in real science) indicates that strong positive human relationships have the greatest bearing on recovery from mental illness. I suspect that some of Mercy's success comes from having strong support structures within christian culture.
Thousands of women set free? Careful Lucy, you are swallowing Mercy marketing. Mercy have not and I argue never will release information on the efficacy of their program.
It hasn't been brought to court? What do you mean by it? If you mean criminal charges due to abuse, that hasn't occurred because none of the women have wanted to. Many of them live in fear, fear from past mercy directors, the godlike visage of Nancy, fear from their own Christian communities who prefer the abuse to speaking out against other Christians.
Now if we are talking about the ACCC investigation or whatever caused Hillsong to drop Mercy like a stone, I think its too early to tell.
Why are you pursueing this anyway? Why does it involve you so much? Ok, You might have a stong passion and desire to see mental health care through a more secular approach, so why don't you start something up yourself? instead of blogging about the horrible work inefficient of Mercy. How do you really know? Have you met Nancy? Or Margaret? Have you talked to…'personally'…people who have come out of the program? I'll ask again….Why are you pursueing this??
No need to repeat youself Lucy, I am quite capable of reading you question the first time. Incidentally I suggest that you read the 80 odd posts I have writen on Mercy to get a true impression of what motivates me.
You might have a stong passion and desire to see mental health care through a more secular approach actually I would settle for an evidence based approach. I see no issue with Christian treatment facilities that use this approach, indeed in treating mental illness a persons religious beliefs may form an important part of that treatment. What I object to with Mercy is their ludicrous use of deliverance ministry, their far right Christian agenda.
So why don't you start something up yourself? instead of blogging about the horrible work inefficient of Mercy. Because blogging is the most efficient use of my time and resources. And that effort has been somewhat rewarded.
How do you really know?
I have talked extensively to the three most vocal mercy survivors, I have examined their application documents, I have a copy of the RTF manual previously used by Mercy Ministries, I have observed Nancy words and actions, I have emailed Mercy Ministries Australia asking for comment (no response). I have repeatedly called for the release of the Survey that Mercy loves to use in their marketing spin.
I have conversed with women who have been supporters and participants of mercy ministries, and who have now come to the realization that they were like victims of domestic violence, beholden to mercy despite the abuse.
I don't doubt that Mercy does some good even quite a lot of good for some women. But they simply were quite dangerous in their treatment of the mentally ill.
But If you can't be bothered reading about my motivations. I care. At the first sign of a scandal Mercy could have come clean, reviewed its procedures (to some extent they did) provided evidenced based treatment, they CHOSE not to.
They are convinced of their own authority, and damn the evidence, damn those backsliders that fell by the wayside.
Most of all I am sad that Nancy is wasting so much money, placing a religious agenda in front of client care.
Sean, do you think the ACCC will release a report of the findings of their investigation at any stage?
I am not sure that it was the ACCC investigation that was the result of hillsong abandoning ship in such a hurry. Hillsong's releases seem to imply that is the case, however there has been no information forthcoming from the ACCC. I have had some private discussions as to what other reports could cause such a stir but that is speculation.
I have read your other blogs.
So you've heard the 3 girls who accused Mercy of abusing them? You obviously havn't heard that they took back that statement. Do dome more research!
I think it's really sad that you spend alot of your time trying to bring down innocent groups who are trying hard to make a positive difference in the world. So what if Nancy slipped up a few times in her speaking! Weigh out the positives with the negatives and then blog about that.
And consider this also: if you are knowingly lying about the women's claims, or repeating a falsehood. Think of the abuse you are perpetrating on someone that has been hurt by Mercy. You are taking their voice away attempting to disempower them, an act quite frankly, I think you should be ashamed of.
Really all 80 of them, bravo.
Took back the statement? Well you think that might have come up in the conversation I had with one of them this afternoon. Where did you receive this information? Has it been published? Are you making it up or are you delivering another falsehood that has come to you through Mercy?
So what if Nancy slipped up a few times in her speaking!
That is interesting. These slip ups you refer to are Nancy's convictions, her beliefs and those beliefs shape the direction and policy of Mercy Ministries. Are you suggesting that she did not mean what she said about casting out demons? That she accidentely invites proponents of Deliverance ministry to talk to the girls in America.
I think its sad that you weigh up the negatives and positives and say to yourself – well they do some bad and some good, what does it matter if some are abused when some are helped. Mercy doesn't have to use abusive practices, they choose to.
And if we could get some solid evidence on the good work that Mercy does, then a would blog with confidence on that.
I was in Mercy for 7 months and in all that time all I ever got was love and support from ALL the staff. We had so many great times, they made it a really cool place to be. If you have never been to Mercy then I suggest that you do some more research. I have experienced Mercy first hand, have you? are you a Christian? If not then you do not fully understand. There was never a deliverance in the house while I was there. People just believe what they want to believe. People live to tear down people who are trying to help others. Mercy are not the ones that got my life back together, It was God who delivered me. God put Mercy into motion to help allot of young women struggling with issues, and if God started Mercy then who are all you people to judge them? What God makes is perfect, and works, and thats what Mercy is, Perfect and it works.
I was at Mercy and there were exorcisms there often. Were you there while they were using Restoring The Foundations or after? I'm not trying to de-value your experience, but for me it was very different to what you're saying it was like for you. I left Mercy broken. They claimed they were qualified and everything was above board, but it wasn't. I don't think it's right for you to claim Mercy is perfect. The staff were doing a lot of things that were against what Jesus taught. I expected I was going to a Christian ministry with professional staff, but the way they treated us there wasn't Christian. When I got out of Mercy my pastor was shocked at how much I had been set back in my recovery. I think Mercy do some good, but the amount of bad they do far outweighs any positive they do. I also don't understand why they lied and said it was free when they were taking our money. They said all the counsellors were qualified when they weren't. And they said there were no exorcisms when there were. A real Christian program doesn't lie like that.
As a Christian I believe God is far bigger and greater than Mercy or any other program like it, so God can and does undo the negative things these places do. I also think people like Sean, who don't share Christian beliefs, have done a lot more good in this situation than many so-called Christians who prefer to sweep these sorts of issues under the carpet. Speaking out against negative things doesn't mean you're going against God, it is something that Jesus did!
haha your good at picking apart little things. Why are you replying so defensively? It sounds like you've got a lot of sadness and frustration toward christianity. Have you listened to that whole message from Nancy Alcorn when she uses that phrase 'Casting out the demons'? Have you done much research into pentecostalism?
I got the information from a former Mercy graduate. No, I'm not trying to take there voice away from them. That would be WARPED! I guess we're getting mixed messages.
I don't even know why I'm commenting on this blog! You sound really determined to bring Mercy down so go for it! What an incredible waste of time! What are you trying to achieve? That christianity is stupid and atheism is the answer? I guess all will be reveiled when we die.
Replying so defensively? I sense some transference perhaps. I am merely responding to your questions.
I got the information from a former Mercy graduate. No, I'm not trying to take there voice away from them. That would be WARPED! I guess we're getting mixed messages.
Well, you are repeating a falsehood, to my knowledge, and whether it be your intention to take away their voice, that is the result of your action.
What are you trying to achieve?
Well if you had read my posts then it would be clear. I want Mercy to change, I want them to provide evidence based care. Failing that I would like to see them closed down and other more compassionate and intelligent providers take over (regardless of their religion).
That christianity is stupid and atheism is the answer? I guess all will be reveiled when we die.
This again reveals that you have not read enough of my posts. And frankly its a desperate attempt on your part to cast aside criticisms of Mercy. You can be christian and provide evidence based health care. I would have been as offended as a christian (as many christians are) as much as I am as an atheist.
You can comment or not, its your choice.
Lucy, I know for a fact they didn't take back their statements. You are spreading lies.
Dear Lucy,
As for my blog, I grew up in evangelical Christianity, and still have the deepest respect for it. But that doesn't mean I can't criticize a ministry that has acted unfairly to people. Mercy Survivors hasn't heard from 3 girls. Try more like 30 girls. Even Sean has stories from 7 to 8 girls directly on this blog, not 2 or 3. As far as my concern about this issue, I am a survivor of one of these-type ministries myself, so I do believe what these girls are saying. That does not invalidate whether you or your friends had a positive experience at Mercy, it just means other people did not, and that that is cause for concern, given some of the reports on Mercy.
John Weaver
Against Biblical Counseling
Don't know if I'm repeating myself, but you're a total liar if you are saying they took back what they said. They never did.
John
Ok, I'm not saying this! Just like you, I heard this information.
Fair enough lucy. You have been corrected. None of the three original woman who broke their silence have withdrawn their claims. I have confirmed this with one of the this morning. I suggest that you talk to the graduate who misinformed you.
No Sean, Your not just responding to my questions. You are giving detailed, long winded, descripted answers that are unecisary. I am not spreading lies! That is rude to accuse me of that. I am simply telling you what I have heard. Isn’t this story about what you have heard aswell?? Neither of us would know the truth because we havn’t personally been through the program! So leave it at that!
Hi Lucy nice to hear from you again.
Your not just responding to my questions. You are giving detailed, long winded, descripted answers that are unecisary.
I am paying you the compliment of responding fully, with a good deal of thought, to the claims you make.
I am not spreading lies! That is rude to accuse me of that.
I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, you were misled by someone you trusted. I gather that you will not still claim that that the three original Mercy complainants have withdrawn their complaint – that would be lying.
I am simply telling you what I have heard. Isn't this story about what you have heard aswell??
If you are talking about the original Mercy Story? No i have checked the source, and reconfirmed today. You are passing on here say, I am quoting what the complainants have said and verifying it with them.
If we are talking about this post I am quoting Margaret Stunts release and then speculating as to whether or not a change in their policies would have saved their demise.
Where I can I try to verify my sources. I like to think that I am clear when I am merely speculating and when I am reporting factual information.
Neither of us would know the truth because we havn't personally been through the program! So leave it at that!
That's an interesting way of viewing things. That's like saying that neither of us have been locked up in Guantanamo, so neither of us can know whether prisoners were tortured there. How do we determine if torture occurred at Guantanamo? We look at the evidence, we evaluate the evidence for its credibility and then make a judjement call.
I have looked at the evidence at hand, some girls were abused, some weren't. Mercy claims they don't carryout deliverance ministry yet I have the very manual they used, in front of me, where it gives instructions for casting out demons etc etc.
You have your opinion, based on what evidence you think is credible and I have mine.
Don't feel you have to respond.
I stand firmly on my opinion! Forgiveness & Mercy…
Lucy
Um. Lucy what you're saying is totally wrong. I don't know where you're getting your information from, or if you simply made it up, but you may like to know that since a few women came forward about the abuses in Australia (it wasn't just three in the first few news reports, within a few days there were several others who also spoke up,) dozens more have come forward too. Not just from Australia, from other countries as well. So many came forward and lodged official complaints with solid evidence, that the government has stepped in and following that. both Mercy homes in Australia have been shut down. .
I am just now hearing about all of this stuff because Nancy told me that Mercy was not giving place to the devil and that Mercy was under attack and that I should not read any of it. Last I heard, the devil has no power. God is in control. Lucy must be very influenced by Nancy, like I. I feared her rejection. I know first hand how angry she can become. I know how controlling she is. I would have never come out if noone had done it first. I still will not use my real name.
Continued to Lucy: I was told my parents didn't want to see me again and my parents were told that I didn't want to come home. They were told that I wanted to go to Mercy Ministries. That is far from CHOICE. Free of Charge. How about extorted for the next 20 years to donate money to this ministry. How about being told by Nancy herself that things were different and they Mercy was way different from when I was there, only to find out that it is exactly the same. How many women do you know that have “Fallen” or “left the will for God” since leaving Mercy? I know at least one that has successfully killed herself. I know another that is still in treatment because she is so guilt ridden for going against what Mercy teaches. Mercy….Please. Find a new name.
I know when I went there they didn't give a real description of what the program was. They told me it was a program run by Christian counsellors and psychologists. But when I got there it turned out they weren't qualified. They didn't tell me the counselling was exorcisms and they'd stop me calling my family or telling my family what Mercy was doing to me. And it wasn't free, I had to pay a lot of money to be there. It wasn't by choice or donation. It was a requirement that our disability pensions were paid to Mercy.
Jill and Mary, thanks for your bravery in coming forward at all. It's very tough to do. I know, I've had to do it with the ministry I was at, which did stuff like Mercy as well. Thank you.
To Lucy:
I spent time in Mercy's St. Louis home. I have read most if not all of the posts Sean has written about Mercy. And I can vouch for the truth of them.
I am a Christian. I am currently in Bible college, studying psychology and ministry. I attend a church, sing in the choir, play handbells, and am involved with the young adult group there — I am at church three days a week. Obviously, I have nothing against Christianity.
I do not have anything against the things Sean has said about Mercy either. He's an atheist, yes…but that certainly does not mean that he can't present a balanced, well-researched view of an abusive, so-called "Christian" organization. He's done his research. And I am very thankful for all the work he has done in exposing Mercy Ministries.
He's right in saying that those of us who have been abused by Mercy often live in fear…it is difficult to speak out, especially to other Christians, knowing that I may not be believed. I am afraid of being accused of lying, or told it was my fault. I am afraid that someday one of the people I tell will be a strong supporter of Mercy, or even a graduate, and they will defend Mercy to the point where I give in and say it was just me, not the program. I am afraid of my words and my name getting back to Mercy. I do my best to speak out, and have had many friends support me once they hear my story, but I am still afraid.
That is a big reason why I am so thankful for Sean and others like him who have not been through the program, but STILL CARE, and believe us, and help us get the word out. It is AMAZING to connect with fellow survivors and be validated in my feelings and experiences in that way, and know I am not alone. It is also amazing to be believed by those who have no association with the program.
A recent example from my life: A few weeks ago, I was telling my story to a friend, and telling him how even now it's difficult to speak out. How after I do, I get scared and tell myself, "I shouldn't say those things, I shouldn't say those things, I shouldn't talk about Mercy like that…" and he interrupted me with a loud and emphatic "NO! This was THEIR fault, and you SHOULD keep speaking out about it!" I just about cried…just to know that HE BELIEVED ME, he understood, he cared…enough to say something like that. It makes such a difference, having that support.
I know this is quite a long comment, but I wanted to make sure I covered everything I wanted to say.
Thanks Sean, for everything you're doing for the Mercy Survivors.
People need to stop…you obviously do NOT know all the details. Keep your comments to yourself unless you know ALL the details. You say you 'heard' this and that, but do you really KNOW all that has happened? NO you do not.
I am afraid that all that is required for evil to prosper is that good people do nothing.
Every little bit helps and we are not expert we are just trying to be helpful, if we as Pastors do not have the answer we should be strong enough to call in the experts in the medical profession.
Maybe Mercy Ministries should have checked out to see if the Stunt clan had the expertise to do the job they made a mess at Rhema in South Africa with Ray McCauley and then all of a sudden they were "called" to Australia at only God knows what salary, because they made a packet in South Africa, and now 'Mercifully" it's all over, oops God made another mistake calling them and then changing His mind?????
God is good
Lucy,
I think in your comment that the girls 'took their statements back' you are sevrely misguided. I am one of the girls who came forward the day after the orginal article came out, and there is absolutely NO WAY I would take back anything that I have said. Why? Because it's the truth. You seem to think that everyone who has told their stories is against Christianity, again you are wrong- I am a stronger Christian now than I was before Mercy. God has been the one to heal me, not people praying to cast demons out of me.
If you say so Bruce. I don't see any evidence of this god.
That is interesting news about the Stunts. Are there any reports on the mess at Rhema?
Mercy was a bad apple long before the Margaret Stunt took over. But it would not surprise me that a certain quality of people are attracted to fringe evangelical organisations, trading of course on the perception of goodwill and ethics/morality that the Christian label grants.
Depictions of god may be good – however, crime is crime and people should be supported for speaking out.
People need Jesus not an organization.
Thanks for your excellent work on this Sean. Each one of us only has to save our own little bit of the world from people who abuse trust and power.
Thanks Luke. But let us not forget John Weaver(agnostic), Cynic Sage(Christian), the girls at Mercy Survivors, Cameron Reilly and Vicki in the US.
I believe in what Mercy Ministries – Australia was trying to achieve even if they when the wrong way about. A couple of years back now I struggled and at times, took action from sucidial feelings and consequently got sacked as in direct result. I too when through the ‘Government’ “Mental Health” system. But this system never provided me what I most needed a ‘reason to life’. You might not believe in a Christian God or a God, But I do believe ‘Mercy’ did provide this most basic need, for girls or least tried too.
Sad to here about your problems Kim. I wonder if you should have seen a lawyer about that sacking. I think you are right in that Mercy thinks that their christianity can give a person meaning. Unfortunately they are just out of their depth when it comes to proper psychiatric care.
I think Mercy went about it the wrong way. They claimed they were Christian when they weren't, and they claimed they were qualified psychologists when they weren't, and claimed it was free while they took our money. I went there thinking I'd get psychiatric help with a Christian perspective but instead it was all exorcisms, lack of medical care and run by unqualified people. I came from a Christian background but Mercy Ministries wasn't Christian, they had beliefs such as mental illness isn't really an illness it is evil spirits that have to be cast out. The staff were very against medical and psychiatric care, and they tried to make us that way too. But I think the biggest thing was all the lies they told to get girls into their program and to get donations. They didn't care about any of us girls and the psychological damage they were causing.