MERCI

MERCI - Marriage Education Resource Center of Indiana was founded in 2014 by Bob and Carol Esham. The first 15 years of their marriage were awful with numerous people telling them they should get divorced. Over time the Holy Spirit began to change their hearts towards one another. September 19, 1999 changed their marriage and lives forever when the boat they were on blew up (picture below). Needless to say, the Lord got their attention! From that point forward they began to draw closer to Jesus and intentionally invest in their marriage which eventually led to the creation of MERCI. MERCI was able to purchase and renovate a beautiful old barn (picture below) a few years ago. This is now the main location for all workshops, events, and mentoring. (To hear their story, watch their interview with 700 Club below)

MERCI’s mission is to offer encouragement, support, and mentoring to help couples discover and embrace God’s design for marriage through monthly workshops, 6-week bible study sessions, 6–8-week marital curriculum sessions, 6-8 week 1:1 mentoring, and fun date nights/fellowship opportunities.
Over the past 10 years…

• More than 140 couples have been mentored, most having gone through an intense 8-week mentoring program.
• Many of these couples chose to remain in and intentionally follow a God-honoring marriage, raising their children together.
• We estimate over 3000+ people have come through the MERCI Barn for our marriage-enrichment programs.

Couples having strong marriages impact their children’s future, communities, schools, and societies for the greater good. We are overjoyed God is using this ministry in this way and by the grace of God this ministry has flourished! 

Our founders are ready to take MERCI to the next generation. To that end, MERCI has brought on its first staff members, Ryan and Brittany Naville, as Directors of Operations with the long-term plan of transitioning into Executive Directors. The Naville's bring fresh ideas, technology know how, love for Jesus, and most importantly a deep desire to see Godly marriages encouraged and supported. 

The Naville's were at the first workshop MERCI ever hosted back in 2014. Through the years, they have come to numerous workshops and began mentoring premarital couples in 2020. From their own experience they know what MERCI offers to our community and how it can have a generational impact on families to come! We are excited God has placed this opportunity in their lives.

MERCI is committed to keeping finances from becoming a stumbling block for couples seeking mentoring support. The money raised during this campaign will be used towards the salary for the Naville family. Being able to provide the salary through this campaign will allow other funds to be used for programming, facilities expenses, and potential future purchase of office space. 

From the bottom of our hearts, we humbly thank all of those who support us through this campaign. We covet your prayers as we continue through this transition to BRING MERCI to the NEXT GENERATION!

MarriageAtMerci.org