Today we’d like to introduce you to LaNora Purvis.
Hi LaNora, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
On October 14, 2009, I was arrested on my third DWI offense and was facing prison time. At that time, I cried out to God, who I had never known. I told God that I would do whatever He asked me to do as long as I didn’t have to leave my children. I was released from jail on bond and reported to my probation officer. She invited me to church, and I went with the intention of showing her what a “good person” I was. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on November 1, 2009, and began to have dreams and visions of what God wanted me to do to fulfill the plan that He had for my life according to Jeremiah 29:11. On February 2, 2010, my husband Howard and I founded Heaven’s Army, being obedient to the voice of God but without any idea of where this journey would take us. On April 7, 2010, with no money, no job, 6 kids, mortgage, car note & all the expenses of life she leased her first building (commercial frontage but destroyed). On June 12, 2010, she opened her doors to the community after God provided the supplies to transform the building into a beautiful community outreach center. In 2015 after reaching out and ministering to broken women in around her community since opening her doors in 2010, she founded Home of Amazing Grace a minimum 1 yr. residential women’s discipleship home. This home gives women that have been victims of sex trafficking, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and addictions a safe place to heal and gain the tools to become strong women of God and to step into their destiny.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was on probation for 2 yrs. and did not have a driver’s license. My husband would drop me off at 5 am in the morning at our building and then go to work. We went from 2 incomes to one, I had been working in accounting before, and this was a struggle for us. My family turned against me when I went public about the molestation that I endured from my stepfather for 14 1/2 years. My oldest daughter left home, my son and one of my daughters were assaulted at school. Two of my daughters were molested, I had a breast cancer scare. My husband went back and forth into his addiction until 3/4/2020.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work with women who have been victims of sex trafficking, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and addiction. I have the privilege of seeing women’s lives restored and them returning to their families and homes, equipped with the tools that they need in order to be the mothers, daughters, wives, and productive members of the community that they return to. I do not compromise when it comes to the Word of God. I stand by what I believe, and I am obedient to what He tells me to do. Through the example that I have set by stepping out of the family cycle of abuse and addiction, mine was men and money, my grandchildren will never know the pain that my children grew up with and the ladies that successfully complete the Home of Amazing Grace have the same testimony.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Howard Purvis – for having the courage to start this journey with me and stood beside me through the radical life transformation of our family. My children- they were my only “volunteers” in the beginning years and continue to support the ministry today
Sandy Lightfoot- Probation officer took me to church
Tara Gunnels – first Bible study teacher
Chris & Holly Juneau- mentored my husband and myself
Pastor James Holt -counselor, mentor who encouraged me in the beginning stages of my ministry
Northeast Ministerial Alliance (NEMA) group of pastors that took me under their wing and mentored me
There are so many people that have walked alongside and stood behind me over the past 12 years I cannot begin to name them all. None of this would have been possible without the community’s support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heavensarmy-tx.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heavensarmyofresources
- Linkedin: LaNora (Flores) Purvis
