Have you ever wondered who HAVEN of Mercy is? Maybe you've had questions like, “Can I trust them?” or “What’s actually happening behind the scenes?” If so, you’re not alone—we hear these questions often. And we love them. They mean you’re paying attention, care, and want to understand.
We want to share who we are, what we do, and why we believe this work matters to the entire church.
Who We Are
We are not a group hiding in the shadows. We are a team of dedicated individuals who want to connect with you and share our work with you. We love meeting people, introducing ourselves, and telling them about our work.
We are a group of your brothers and sisters in Christ whose lives are impacted by abuse and who hate it. We are working to bring a biblical response to cases of abuse through advocacy and prevent further abuse within our churches through education. HAVEN of Mercy exists to be a resource, and our work ensures that those searching for help or understanding know exactly where to turn, in line with our shared values as a church community.
Our advocates are not only compassionate but also highly trained and equipped to support abuse victims. In addition to years of experience, they have completed extensive training to provide knowledgeable, trauma-informed care.
Our members spend hours reading, researching, and studying educational materials on abuse, theology, doctrine, marriage, relationships, and more that are Biblically based and have a balanced approach. Our goal is to provide the church community with carefully researched resources, equipping them with the knowledge to respond wisely and with compassion.
How and Why HAVEN was formed?
HAVEN was formed in 2021 after a prominent pastor in our churches was found guilty of sexual abuse. This so grieved us, but what made it worse was that there was nowhere for victims or their families to go for help or specialized care.
We saw a need for an organization filled with compassionate people, filled with the Spirit, with years of experience to fill the gap, and we had them sitting right in our churches! God was so amazing and faithful in bringing us together during a difficult time to help his church.
Did you know:
Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner and reported it having a related impact on their functioning. (a)
And 1 in 6 women has been a victim of an attempted or complete rape (b) and nearly 1 in 10 men are sexually abused before the age of 18?
1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse ©
Unfortunately, the same statistics in the world are in the church.
Statistics like these and our experience with these realities have not just driven us to action but to proactive action. That’s why we do what we do, even when it seems no one is listening. We are not waiting for change. We are making it happen.
These statistics make us feel icky, and we want to hide and turn away from it. But for those of us who work tirelessly at HAVEN, we echo the apostle Paul and are fed by his fervor to spread the gospel abroad.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Why do we do what we do?
Because the love of Christ constrains us, we cannot avoid it. Our love for Christ and our desire for those harmed by abuse to experience the true love of Christ, to be brought the gospel, to be shown care and help, and to be held and supported by those who are filled with his Spirit are what causes us to do this hard, often unappreciated work.
In the end, it's not about us. It’s about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and his love constrains us to do this work.
That being said, we’d like to pull back the curtain on other areas of HAVEN and give you a backstage pass into what we do.
What Does HAVEN Do?
It helps to understand our work by examining our three committees. Each one has a purpose. Let's examine how they work together.
Support from a dedicated board, which oversees the operations of the committees and ensures we meet our goals, aids these committees. The board provides strategic guidance, financial oversight, and helps in decision-making processes.
Education Committee
Advocacy Committee
Promotion Committee
Education Committee
At the heart of Haven is our Education Committee, which works to equip our church community with the knowledge and tools to respond to abuse with care and compassion. The committee receives requests from churches, schools, Bible studies, and other groups to speak on various abuse-related topics. It is also responsible for our annual conference, a vital learning opportunity.
At our last conference, which was held in Hudsonville Michigan, and streamed online, over 200 in-person and 250 online attendees joined us to learn from expert speakers about how to respond to abuse after disclosure, support victims, and discern repentance.
In addition, the Education Committee shares valuable content on our social media, including Instagram and Facebook, where we reach hundreds of followers with insightful posts. This content helps inform the community about abuse-related issues, aiming to raise awareness, promote education, and keep the conversation going.
Advocacy Committee
Our Advocacy Committee is the quiet voice that works hard to raise awareness of the needs of abuse victims and ensure they are not alone. They work closely with victims, church leaders, and families to offer guidance, clarity, and support.
We help victims regain their voice, navigate difficult situations, and find the necessary resources to move forward. Because the trauma of abuse often causes many victims to become voiceless, HAVEN offers knowledgeable, compassionate advocacy for abuse victims (Prov. 31:8-9).
Advocates are more than just helpers—they are educated friends. They walk alongside survivors, listen, clarify, and provide information and options from a trauma-informed, objective, yet deeply compassionate perspective. An advocate can help a survivor create a safety plan, connect with a counselor, therapist, or attorney, and communicate with church leaders, such as elders, deacons, and Helping Hands ministries.
Our committee is called the Support Committee because our work extends beyond survivors. We come alongside the family and friends of victims, equipping them with the support and resources they need as they walk with their loved ones through the healing process.
Promotion Committee
The Promotion Committee is the bridge between Haven of Mercy and the church community, making sure people know who we are, what we do, and how we can help. Working alongside the Education and Advocacy committees, we use social media, our website, and other outreach efforts. We share Haven’s mission and message with those who need it most.
Our role is all about communication—helping those struggling to respond to abuse know where to turn, equipping church leaders with the right tools, and ensuring that anyone seeking guidance can easily find it. Whether through a social media post that sparks awareness, a website resource that offers guidance, or a conversation that points someone toward advocacy, we help connect people with the support they need. Haven of Mercy exists to be a resource, and our work ensures that those searching for help or understanding know exactly where to turn.
Ways You Can Help Us:
Donate: As a volunteer-run organization, every donation directly supports abuse survivors and the dedicated volunteers who assist them. Your gift helps fund essential services like advocacy, safety planning, and support for victims while ensuring our volunteers have the resources and training they need to provide compassionate, informed care. Whether helping victims access vital services or equipping our advocates with the tools to walk alongside them, your contribution makes a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
Sponsor: Sponsoring our annual conference and other educational presentations helps us reach more people with the necessary resources. Your support ensures these events remain accessible, empowering church leaders, families, and communities with the knowledge and tools to respond to abuse with care and compassion.
Volunteer: Whether you’re drawn to advocacy, education, or other support opportunities, your involvement is a crucial part of Haven’s work. Keep an eye out for future volunteer opportunities—your support helps us care for survivors meaningfully. You don’t need to be an expert on abuse to make a difference—there are many ways to contribute, and every effort is valued as we work together toward healing.
These opportunities allow you to actively participate in HAVEN's mission while making a difference in your community.
What We’re Working On for 2025
Looking to the future, we’re excited about our goals for 2025. One significant focus is on creating new educational resources and curriculums.
We're also in discussions with local churches, including meetings set for March 2025 in Wingham Canada.
We continue to develop our organization and work on systems and structures. As we do this, we ask that you continue to pray for us. We are currently an entirely volunteer-run organization, and because of that, we have limited capabilities. Please consider one of the ways that you can help, as mentioned above.
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