When Nate Young felt a calling to start a church 12 years ago in Bullitt County, he never could have imagined the journey ahead for Mercy Hill Church — from battling floods to birthing new ministries. And with a county population of around 82,000, only about 24,500 attend church — a striking reminder that over 57,500 people in Bullitt County remain unreached by the gospel.

“From day one, we said we’re not just here to preach about Christ, we want to live in light of what we are preaching,” Young said. “We want to have the heart of Christ. We want to be a church who, like Christ, loves the least of these.”

Mark 12 Ministries emerged from that vision, a ministry helping those dealing with homelessness and extreme poverty. But Young’s heart for orphans and vulnerable children became central to what Mercy Hill has come to represent.

The Young family modeled this personally — adopting three children themselves, one who was fostered and adopted through Sunrise Children’s Services. Pastor Nate had previously served on the board of Sunrise Children’s Services as well.

Growing a Family of Families

Mercy Hill currently has seven families caring for kids who are not their biological children. One of these families is the Broughtons. Mike and Penny Broughton have fostered over 200 children and currently have five in care.

“We also adopted eight — that’s just our family,” shared Penny. “I always wanted the children to have a wonderful Christmas and a loving home. I felt God sent me a message when I read the ‘needing foster parents’ article in the Pioneer News.”

In total, Mercy Hill has over 25 kids fostered or adopted currently within the church community.

“It’s amazing to see these children come to know the Father. This isn’t an add-on — it’s life,” Young said. “Caring for orphans is not simply something we do, it’s part of our culture.”

Designed for understanding

Recognizing unique needs, Mercy Hill built a sensory room and supports children with special needs.

As pastor of family ministries Perry Cooke — himself adopted — explains: “My story shaped me. I recently preached through James, focusing on ‘pure religion’ — caring for orphans, this is the heart of the gospel. Mercy Hill’s culture breathes the values of Matthew 25, making ‘least of these’ a lived identity. We have a special focus on our special needs children. We have a heart for them.”

A culture rooted in mercy, not perfection

“We call ourselves a beautiful mess,” Young laughs. “When a meltdown happens, there’s no shame — just grace. We have all been there.” Foster and adoptive parents added: “We lean on each other — this is more than support; it’s family. At Mercy Hill, you’re never alone.”

“I don’t know how to word it, but for me, it’s always been the saddest thing to see a child going through life, never being loved, never being wanted, and that’s what makes me wanna do it,” explained Mike Broughton. “I want every child that comes around me, no matter the good or the bad that they have been through, know they’re loved and they are wanted.

When it comes to loving the orphan, mercy isn’t just in the church name — it’s who they are.