#203 | Loving People Into Leadership, Faith for Dreams & Hunger for God | Mercy Parnell

What does it look like to walk with Jesus in everyday life, pursue God-given dreams, and lead people through love rather than insecurity? In this episode of Talks with Gallagher, John Gallagher sits down with Mercy Parnell—writer, missionary, and ministry assistant to Audrey Mack of GoTell Ministries. Mercy shares her powerful origin story with God, including the encounter that made faith personal to her as a teenager. Raised in a family of 12, Mercy reflects on unity amid differences, authentic community, and what family taught her about the body of Christ. She also shares how being encouraged as an underdog shaped her passion for “loving people into leadership”—seeing potential in others, being present, and helping people grow in confidence and identity. Mercy opens up about her move from Colorado to Jacksonville, Florida, the unexpected path that led her to serve Audrey Mack, and how she held onto faith when sickness, financial pressure, and practical obstacles tried to derail the journey. The conversation also explores international ministry, the hunger for God she has witnessed around the world, and how believers can cultivate a deeper daily relationship with Jesus.Timestamps00:00 Mercy’s faith-filled move to Florida01:05 Welcome and introduction to Mercy Parnell02:29 Mercy’s origin story and encounter with God06:18 Experiencing God and cultivating spiritual intimacy10:10 Growing in spiritual sensitivity and faith15:22 What it was like growing up in a family of 1220:46 Unity, differences, and family lessons21:15 Loving people into leadership22:14 How encouragement built Mercy’s confidence26:01 What Audrey Mack taught Mercy about leadership30:07 Insecurity, comparison, and healthy leadership32:16 A God-given dream that stretched Mercy’s faith33:15 How Mercy became Audrey Mack’s assistant35:28 Moving to Jacksonville and trusting God through resistance41:53 Faith, obedience, provision, and God’s love43:58 Serving Audrey Mack and GoTell Ministries46:24 International travel, culture, and the heart of God49:27 Witnessing hunger for God in Burkina Faso55:43 A call for the Western church to wake up57:54 How to grow hungry for God59:43 Prayer for faith, hunger, and God-given dreams1:01:45 Final encouragement and closingSubscribe to Talks with Gallagher for authentic conversations on faith, personal growth, purpose, leadership, and following Jesus in real life.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talks-with-gallagher--6106098/support.Visit talkswithgallagher.com for more information and support the future of this podcast. Want to be a guest on Talks with Gallagher? Send John Gallagher a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/talkswithgallagher