Special to the Herald
Northland Church is thrilled to announce the launch of Mercy Road Initiatives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing transformational help to vulnerable individuals and families across Central Florida.
A grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at their facility, located at 530 Dog Track Road in Longwood. The community is invited to attend to learn more about the organization and how to get involved.
Mercy Road is a nonprofit that will function as an extension of the church, offering a variety of programs and services aimed at improving the quality of life for those in need through the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Current initiatives include:
LifeHopeMoms, a holistic mentorship program for single mothers with young children that provides free childcare to the women walking the program.
Mephibo’s House, a weekday life skills and arts program geared towards neurodiverse adults and those with intellectual disabilities.
• Mercy Road Senior Services, a community for seniors, ran in collaboration with Be the Change Today for Seniros, providing resources and educational classes on health and wellness, fall prevention and safety.
• Cooperative School, a Mercy Road initiative, offering Christian pre-school education ministering to both parents and children.
• Refuge 511, which will be offering transitional housing and mentorship to single mothers.
Mercy Road LifeSkills Café, the training ground for Mephibo’s House LifeSkills program participants. Mercy Road Christian Gift & Bookstore, the only brick and mortar Christian bookstore in Seminole County that functions as a social enterprise supporting the initiatives of Mercy Road.
The nonprofit will also be launching Mercy Road Christian Secondary School of Special Education, a secondary school for teens with varying exceptionalities, and Mercy Road Christian Counseling Center, a counseling clinic for Mercy Road’s participants, their families and the community.
Leading Mercy Road will be Michael Radka, a Seminole County entrepreneur with a long history of serving some of the most vulnerable neighbors at home and abroad.
“Our mission is guided by the word of God and rooted in the belief that everyone deserves compassion and support in challenging times,” said Radka. “Our initiatives aim to find people in need, meet them where they are and connect them with the care they need.”
“The church is called to care for widows and orphans, displaying the love of Christ in action and being light and salt in our community,” said Dr. Josh Laxton, Northland Church Senior Pastor. “This is why Northland created Mercy Road, to be the outward- facing care arm of the church, serving the community in Central Florida in the name of Jesus.”
