y journey began in 2005 when I served on an Epiphany team at Franklin Pre-release Center for women in Columbus Ohio. Epiphany is a religious retreat weekend for young ladies 18-25 years of age. While serving on the weekend, I heard many sad stories. The majority of these young ladies were abused as innocent children by parents, relatives, or friends of family. Others were mentally and physically abused as young adults by boyfriends and husbands. Statistics actually show that over 90% Ohio women inmates are non-violent offenders from family cycles of substance and child abuse. The majority of these young ladies turned to drugs to hide from their pain, and committed crimes to sustain their habits. Many of these young ladies were excited to know more about Jesus through Epiphany, and needed help to turn their lives around.

They felt as if they had awoken from a terrible nightmare of sadness and abuse only to find themselves in prison. Many of these young ladies were back for a second or third term, and over 70% of them were young mothers. Without help more than half of their innocent children will follow the same cycle of destruction.

The only thing they can do in prison is what they had always done in the past...  Survive!  After the Epiphany weekend many truly desired to change, but needed help to learn necessary life skills they had missed while surviving the environment of their past.

At a reunion prayer service, prior to going home, many young ladies cried out for God to help them find new beginnings, safe places to live, jobs, and families who will love and accept them unconditionally. The ones who had children desired to re-unite with them. And with these ladies, we cried, feeling their sadness and the overwhelming task that lay ahead for each of them. And while praying through many sleepless nights I became inspired by God to join in His work to help save these lost souls.

I received a letter from a young lady named Kim who asked for prayers to find a safe shelter, clothes, and help re-uniting with her 4 daughters. She was 22 years old and was born in Ohio Reformatory for Women. Her fourth daughter, Jennifer, was also born in Ohio Reformatory for Women prison.  I helped find Kim a faith-based ministry program. Kim dreamed of obtaining custody of her 6-month-old daughter Jennifer, who was in custody of her aunt. I actually had the opportunity to hold Jennifer at a court hearing. After 4 months of struggling to find employment, and anxious to work toward re-uniting with Jennifer, Kim gave up hope, moved in with her old boyfriend, and soon relapsed into her old lifestyle.  My heart cried out for her innocent little baby who might some day end up in prison like her mother and grandmother.

While praying through many more sleepless nights I became inspired by God to start a faith-based ministry home and join in God's work to rescue these ladies and their children. My former spiritual director, the late Sister Mary Francis Peters, our co-founder, confirmed it was God calling us to join in His work to form a Faith-based ministry housing program. We began Divine Mercy Ministry to help these ladies break the cycles of destruction by establishing a loving personal relationship with God. For with God all things are possible!

We believe God will provide all their needs through human angels who join in God's work to help his daughters fulfill their dreams and His purpose for their lives through Faith, Hope, and Love!  

We know that the most important part of helping these lost souls is by establishing a loving personal relationship with God! However, promoting a faith-based mission limits our resources to what we receive from private donors and foundations. We believe that God will provide all our needs through His human angels on Earth

We have been inspired to form a large fundraising committee called Women helping Women.  God's children are crying out for help to women’s religious organizations to answer their prayers! One volunteer from every such organization would be an answer to their prayers!

Please prayerfully consider partnering with Divine Mercy Ministry to bring hope to His children and further His kingdom!
Please visit our website at www.divinemercyministry.org,
Email markfleming@divinemercyministry.org
Phone: 614-554-2693