rich in mercy leadership

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Revs. Brian and Denise Walker were like many other African American young adults who were without Jesus Christ and without hope in this world. They too believed the lie that abortion on demand would solve all their problems, and that traditional marriage was not necessary or even desirable. Unknowingly, their marriage was being systematically destroyed by abortion and the fallout spilled over onto their 3 living children.  Anger, bitterness, tortuous shame and despair consumed their relationship for 17 years despite coming to Christ.  

After attending abortion support groups, God healed their fractured and devastated lives from the abortion, promiscuity, out-of wedlock cohabitation and its ravaging impact on their marriage. Called of God to pastoral ministry, they co-founded Everlasting Light Ministries in 1999 to be a light in this darkness of abortion and repudiation of traditional marriage.  As founding members of the National Black Prolife Coalition, the Walkers seek to eliminate abortion on demand and restore our communities.  Through their Rich in Mercy Abortion & Miscarriage Recovery Program, and, Everlasting Love Marriage Enrichment Course, they present the hope, forgiveness and mercy that Jesus Christ gave to them, along with practical Biblical tools to help communities heal from the utter despair of post-abortion trauma, marital discord and divorce.
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Pastor Paula Ellefson and her husband Chris have been married since 1997 and are the proud parents to 4 boys. Paula and Chris facilitate the RIM program in Rochester, MN.

Paula is an ordained Pastor and is a Recovery Chaplain at MN Adult and Teen Challenge; she served on staff as the Preschool  Pastor at Rochester Assembly of God for 17+ years; she was a counselor at Compassion Counseling Center;  One of her purposes in life, besides being a wife and a mother, is to bring awareness and healing to those who have suffered silently due to abortion.
 
February 19th marks the anniversary dates of her  abortion from 1994. She suffered in silence, shame and guilt for 13 years, not being able to tell anyone but the father of the baby about the abortion. That 1st abortion led to a life of alcohol addiction and denial. And it wouldn’t be until 2017, when the Lord allowed her to recall the 2nd abortion that she had had on February 8th, 1995. Paula understands what it is like to struggle with post abortion trauma.  By the Grace of God, she is now able to speak out and educate others about the damaging effects that abortion has on women, men, children, families and much, much more. She has been able to go through the healing and grief of the loss of her children, due to her choices. 

She now desires to see others set free from the chains of abortion, to find freedom, redemption, reconciliation and forgiveness in Christ.  
Paula was instrumental in assisting Steve Silar from Music for the Soul with the Mercy Great Enough project.  Mercy Great Enough offers hope, connection, and healing for women and men who have carried secret guilt and shame over an abortion decision in their past. 
The Paul Ridgeway Radio Program

Rise & Shine Radio Show

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Rev. Denise Walker of Rich in Mercy Ministry returns to Rise & Shine Radio program.  Denise reveals how evangelical Christian turnout at the polls during the presidential election has given us a chance to positively affect pro-life legislature.  Also shared is the lopsided percentage of African-American babies who are aborted each year.  If you would like to learn more about Rich in Mercy Ministry, please contact Denise on her website:  www.richinmercy.org.

http://www.sonriseproductions.com/rise--shine-radio-show.html

Paula and Chris' Full Story

rich in mercy facilitators 

Rochester, MN
Ronda Pelzer volunteered to become a facilitator in Rochester after completing the RIM group and receiving healing for her miscarriage. She identifies herself first as a saved and redeemed Daughter of God and her primary calling is to glorify God and witness to others about salvation, redemption and restoration through Jesus.

Ronda has been married to her husband, Mark, for 22 years and is a mother of two. Her son, Alex, is 15 years old and her daughter, KateLyn, died of miscarriage. She has been a Registered Nurse for 24 years and is a trained Faith Community Nurse and OB Nurse Sonographer. She worked at a Pregnancy Resource Center/Pregnancy Medical Clinic as a counselor and nurse manager for 7 years. She now works in home health as a case manager.

Ronda is involved with many ministries at her church, New River Assembly of God in Red Wing and Zumbrota, MN. She leads children’s groups, adult small group, and a greeting/newcomers team. She also helps with a meal and bus ministry outreach serving moms and children in Red Wing. She has also been New River Kidz Camp nurse.

After having been set free by Jesus from a destructive past of trauma and abuse, Ronda wants to see people transformed by Jesus’ love, overcome trauma & abuse, be set free from bondage to sin, be healed from abortion and miscarriage wounds, and change their destructive thinking patterns to line up with the truth of God’s Word. 
Rochester, MN

Susan Ballanger lives in Rochester, Mn with her husband, Dave and two children.  She is very involved with her family and enjoys camping, fishing, her pets and attending their children's sporting events.  Her daily job is running an in home daycare.  She has a love for children of all ages.  

Susan volunteered to become a co-facilitator when she heard the opportunity arise.  She had been hoping to reach out to adults that needed healing in a counseling capacity.  Her background is in Counseling but has resigned from the field to raise her children.  However, she knows that God still wants her to use her strengths, ability, and pain to help others through their struggles. Susan felt that Rich in Mercy would be a terrific ministry to reach those that needed healing.  She has co-facilitated two groups and looks forward to meeting more men and woman that want God's healing.  She has seen the power of God in the groups as people have been transformed.   It is very exciting to see what He can do with any situation!
Duluth, MN
Sarah Winandy has been in Pro-Life work for 10 years, first as a volunteer,  and now as the Assistant to the Director of Pro-Life Ministries for the Duluth area for the past two years. During this time,  Sarah has met many devastated and hurting women who have suffered from having an abortion.  "It's heart breaking to witness their pain and I have felt helpless in finding help and healing for them," states Sarah. 

Sarah knew about Rich in Mercy, and God led her to contact Denise Walker to see how RIM could be offered in Duluth.  Sarah went for the 8-week counseling program RIM offers for the two miscarriages she had and while there experienced the power of God in healing the deep inner core of her heart.  She was unaware at first that her pain was pulling down her down in every aspect of her life. Now that she has been through the facilitator training and she is ready for the next step; to have RIM begin in the Spring of 2016 in Duluth! May the name of Jesus Christ be lifted up and many find healing in Duluth Minn.




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Corcoran, MN
Linda Faatz was born and raised on the front pew of the church, and was blessed to be raised in what she calls “a picture-perfect” home.  Her father was an Assemblies of God minister for over 60 years before he passed away and both parents were fabulous musicians.  This upbringing gave Linda the solid foundation that she would need to face the tragedies that would enter her life many years later.
 
After being blessed with two lively sons, Linda and her husband, Larry, were excited to be told that they were expecting twins.  But their excitement turn to sorrow on May 9, 1975 when their identical twin girls were still born.  The following January (1976), Linda had a miscarriage at about 6 weeks.  Again the following July (1976), she had another miscarriage, this time at about 4 ½ months. 
 
Although most people didn’t intend to be cruel and were really trying to be of comfort, some of their comments really stung, and Linda found herself stuffing the pain of these losses down in her soul and blaming herself for the deaths of her children.  But, Praise God, she finally found healing 39 years later when she was blessed to attend a Rich In Mercy class, held at Hope Community Church in Corcoran, MN.  As a result, Linda went through the training to become a Facilitator and is delighted to be able to help others find their freedom in the truth that God gives.  And, oh yes!  She and Larry were also blessed with another daughter and 3 more sons after her 2nd miscarriage!