Mike Mercer, missions representative
Beaverton Foursquare Church
Beaverton, Ore.
Mike Mercer, 37, knows exactly what the voice of God sounds like—his wife, Kymra.
“Several years ago, she sat me down and informed me about the horrors of human trafficking with particular emphasis on child sexual-trafficking,” the church missions rep at Beaverton Foursquare Church in Oregon said. “With tears she told me, ‘I think you’re supposed to do something about it.’ I received it as an assignment. I’ve said in many settings that to me the voice of God sounds a lot like Kymra Mercer.”
And so, birthed out of a post-Katrina effort of the church’s that began in 2005, Compassion First was formed in 2006 as a non-profit organization with the goal, says Mike, of “bringing long-term, hope-filled solutions to situations of human disaster.” His effort was recently reported by USAToday.com. The father of three notes that their first Indonesian center is scheduled to open later this year.
Seeing churches planted and people coming to the Lord as a result of joining outreach efforts are among Mike’s greatest satisfactions. So is knowing, “that I’m in the center of God’s will and doing exactly what He created me to do.”
His family—and church family—are vital to his life and ministry.
“My wife loves me, and my kids love me. Right there, I have more than I deserve,” he reflects. “My church family is incredible, too. Randy Remington is my pastor. What he provides in terms of both covering and release for me personally is quite moving.”
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Article by: Bill Shepson, Foursquare credentialed minister and freelance writer
Photo by: Missy Cochran, www.missy-cochran.com
