The Student Newspaper of Westminster Christian Academy

The Wildcat Roar

The Student Newspaper of Westminster Christian Academy

The Wildcat Roar

The Student Newspaper of Westminster Christian Academy

The Wildcat Roar

Mission Possible

“If Dad is not singing at the top of his lungs or doing some killer concrete work with Uncle Virgil, he is love’n on people, that’s just how he is,” states Jeremy Ackerman.

Virgil Mead, President of Mercy Ministries International (MMI), and Jeffrey Ackerman, Secretary of MMI, two men with spontaneous attitudes, out-of-the-box ideas, and incredibly big hearts founded Mercy Ministries International, a non-profit organization, in 2007.

It all started with Saydi Jimenez and her family.  Jimenez grew up in Honduras and suffered from septal defect, a life-threatening hole in the heart condition, as a child.  In 1994, Pastor Ed Dobel, pastor of Cross Roads Community Church in Chicago, and other volunteers, met Jimenez and prayed that God would miraculously heal her.

Dobel traveled back to Honduras in 1996 and felt a desire to reconnect with the Jimenez family. When Dobel visited Saydi Jimenez he knew that he had experienced a modern-day miracle; Jimenez’s heart was fully healed.  He desired to continue to help them, so he began sponsoring Jimenez to send her to private, bilingual school.

Pastor Ed Dobel and Jeffery Ackerman, Dobel’s friend, have supported Jimenez for over 12 years. She graduated from the School of Tomorrow, a Honduran high school, and now is pursuing a degree in nursing at Hannibal La-Grange College in Missouri.  Ackermann has opened his heart and home to Jimenez during this time.

“Saydi has lived with my family for about four years and considers my intermediate and extended family her family too.  She is like my big sister.  She gets on my butt sometimes, but I love her,” remarks Cassidy Ackerman, Ackerman’s daughter.

The feeling is mutual throughout the Ackerman clan.

“Saydi feels like an addition to the family.  The fact that Uncle Jeff chose to support her and her family, sharing their good fortunes with the less fortunate, is the embodiment of the true American spirit.  This program helps those truly in need.  It is not something temporary, it is not charity; it is philanthropy on the highest level.  It gives the people not only the assistance they need, but the love and support and care as well,” states Alex Newel, Ackerman’s nephew.

This love and admiration felt for Jimenez has boiled over into to a family-style organization that strives to provide openhanded giving to other non-profit organizations, providing scholarships to students, and giving benevolence to low-income individuals.

“MMI has helped a micro business in Honduras, as well as families in need to pay bills, taxes, and mortgage payments,” states Amy Ackerman, Ackerman’s wife.

MMI is a direct result of Jeffery Ackerman’s big heart.

“The scripture that best describes my brother, Jeffery Ackerman, is Matthew 25:40 which states, ‘I tell you the trust, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’  He has dedicated his adult life to trying to be Jesus’ hands and feet. Through prayer and love, he has opened his heart to offer up the needs of others asking God to intercede on behalf of those in need.  It is amazing to have a brother who truly lives out his faith daily and walks the walk even when it is very difficult,” remarks Jennifer Newel, Ackerman’s older sister.

“The MMI organization is doing that type of work.  Through education, they are helping to provide a family a way out of poverty and in the process enabling the next generation to have a better life.  Through support, they offer a helping hand to those in need.  It is not a hand out but a hand reaching out to help someone get through another month when the bills seem to be more than they can handle,” concludes Newel.

The remarkable aspect about this organization is that it was the power of the Holy Spirit in one isolated experience that caused a chain effect in one man’s life.  This change in one man’s life caused dramatic alterations in others’ lives as a result.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to go to college and become a nurse.  If I didn’t have the help I would probably be a typical 24 yr old Honduran girl who was already married with four kids,” remarks Jimenez.

This organization is closer to the Westminster community than one might think.  The association is run by the Ackermans and Meads, relatives of Mari Knehans, junior, and Sam Knehans, class of ’09, and has been advertised previously in the Wildcat Roar.

“MMI reaches out to many people within the St. Louis area, but also provides enjoyable events for their donors,” states Sam Knehans, Ackerman’s nephew.

MMI puts on an annual bowling benefit in February that is entertaining and all the proceeds go directly to the organizations funds.

“It was exciting to meet other people who shared my belief in MMI as a worthy cause,” said Knehans as he reflects on last year’s bowling event.

“Currently, MMI is continuing to raise funds and awareness through their annual bowling for families fundraiser in February.  In addition, we are planning a 5k run/walk in the spring” states Ackerman.

“I think it’s really great all the things that they are doing for MMI and I know that lives are being impacted with every decision made.  In the future I see this going very far and aiding individuals all over the planet.  With all the hard work and time that is spent to make all this happen it is obvious to me that only great things will come,” concludes Zac Ackerman, Ackerman’s son.

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