On October 14th, 2009, LaNora Purvis was arrested for her third DWI offense and was facing prison time. At that time, she cried out to God whom she had never known. She told God that she would do whatever He asked her to do if she didn’t have to leave her children. She was released from jail on bond and reported to her probation officer who invited her to church. She went with the intention of showing her probation officer what a “good person” she was. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior on November 1, 2009, and began to have dreams and visions of what God wanted her to do to fulfill the plan that He had for her life according to Jer. 29:11.
LaNora and her husband Howard founded Heaven’s Army in February 2010. She was being obedient to the voice of God, but without any idea of where this journey would take her. In April 2010 – with no money, no job, six kids, a mortgage, car note & all the expenses of life – she leased her first building. In June 2010 she opened the doors to the community after God provided the supplies to transform the building into a beautiful community outreach center.
In 2015 after years of reaching out and ministering to broken women in and around her community, she founded Home of Amazing Grace – a minimum 1-year 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 step into their destiny.
Her story of going from the back of a police car to founding a growing ministry is one that will inspire you and increase your faith. LaNora has been used by God to show His love to families in the community through the many programs offered at Heaven’s Army and through Home of Amazing Grace.
LaNora was raised in Livingston, TX and now lives in Cleveland, TX. She and her husband Howard own New Caney HVAC & co-founded Heaven’s Army. They attend Cornerstone Church in Cleveland, TX.
LaNora’s Motto: Healing from your past brings HOPE for your future!