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Mayernick Family

Background​

The Mayernick family represents a powerful example of radical Christian discipleship, combining successful philanthropy with authentic family life. Known in Nashville for their large, loving household and international humanitarian work, they have become a model of how to live faithfully while making global impact.

Family Structure​

  • Mike Mayernick: Patriarch, wealth management advisor, diagnosed with ALS approximately 2 years ago
  • Suzanne Mayernick: Matriarch, described as "the sweetest country lady you've ever met"
  • Large Family: Seven children total
    • Five adopted from Uganda: Integrated after founding Love One International
    • Josie Love: First adopted daughter from Uganda (2009), inspiration for Love One International
    • Grace: Recently started "Miracles and Grace Podcast" discussing family miracles and faith stories
    • Michael: Johnny's former basketball teammate and close connection to the family

Love One International​

Mission: Providing care for sick and malnourished children in Uganda Origin Story: Founded after adopting Josie Love from Uganda in 2009 Impact: Fundraising in Nashville to build hospitals in remote areas without medical access Current Status: Well-known and respected organization in Nashville philanthropic community

Radical Discipleship Philosophy​

Three Phases of Discipleship (as taught at Auburn Community Church)​

  1. Phase One: Conforming your will to God's will (typically experienced in youth)
  2. Phase Two: Processing pain and disorientation of living in broken world (midlife challenges)
  3. Phase Three: Giving away your death - surrendering even mortality to God

Mike's ALS as Teaching Moment: His diagnosis has become a profound example of Phase Three discipleship, demonstrating how to "carry your cross well" and maintain faith through terminal illness.

Family Culture & Values​

Open Home Philosophy​

  • Community Center Approach: Home constantly filled with visitors, students, friends
  • Welcoming Spirit: "God working through them... they are stewards of it, so it is theirs"
  • No Judgment Policy: Kids taught to welcome strangers and love unconditionally
  • Service Integration: Family culture built around being "of service to the world on a bigger scale"

Parenting Philosophy​

Grace Under Pressure: Mike's story of his daughter carving artwork into his new car with a rock demonstrates their approach:

"In that moment, that's where you could really traumatize a child... He realized she doesn't know that she didn't do any better or that this was bad. So I can't get mad at her for this... Taking the fault as your own. Not projecting the fault onto the kid who didn't know any better."

Teaching Moments: Converting potential trauma into learning experiences through patience and understanding

Community Impact​

Nashville Recognition​

  • Local Reputation: "Super focused on the submission of Loveland International"
  • Medical Mission Heritage: Connected to Johnny through family nursing background and hospital experience
  • Wealth with Purpose: Financially successful but dedicating resources to global humanitarian work

Auburn Community Church Connection​

  • Teaching Example: Mike regularly referenced in sermons about radical discipleship
  • Living Testimony: Pastor uses Mike's ALS journey as model for congregation
  • Normalizing Radical Discipleship: Church mission statement inspired by Mayernick family example

Current Challenges & Opportunities​

ALS Journey​

Mike's Diagnosis: Approximately 2 years ago, creating urgent timeline for family Spiritual Response: Demonstrating "surrender to Jesus, not helplessness" in face of terminal illness Family Adaptation: Teaching how to maintain love, faith, and service while processing grief Documentary Timing: Current period offers profound teaching opportunity about facing mortality with faith

Media Opportunity​

Johnny's Connection: Long-standing relationship through son Michael's friendship Previous Collaboration: Johnny previously helped set up iPads for their Uganda hospital project Authentic Access: Deep family friendship allows for intimate documentary access Global Reach: Uganda connections provide international documentary possibilities

Connection to Gary & Johnny's Project​

Perfect Alignment with "Heirloom Media" Vision​

  • Exemplary Family: Represents ideal of what healthy, faithful family looks like in modern America
  • Multi-Generational Impact: Both local Nashville influence and global Uganda work
  • Technology Integration: Successfully using technology for humanitarian purposes without compromising family values
  • Authentic Crisis: ALS diagnosis creates authentic tension and teaching opportunity about faith under extreme pressure

Documentary Potential​

Immediate Availability: Family facing urgent timeline due to Mike's condition Authentic Story: No artificial drama - real family dealing with real terminal illness through real faith Global Scope: Uganda connection provides international expansion opportunity Teaching Value: Concrete example of how to live faithfully, raise children well, and serve globally

Key Quotes & Stories​

Mike's Parenting Philosophy​

"He realized she doesn't know that she didn't do any better or that this was bad. So I can't get mad at her for this... Taking the fault as your own. Not projecting the fault onto the kid who didn't know any better."

Auburn Community Church Pastor on Mike​

"I see the surrender to Jesus, not helplessness. Or pity on his face. But the knowledge of what it will mean. To carry his cross well."

Johnny's Assessment​

"They always had so many people from our school there... sometimes, like a dozen people... different people that had, like, broken homes or maybe their family life wasn't that good. And you could go there and just be in this amazing family environment."

Spiritual Significance​

Model of Christian Living​

Integration of Success and Service: Demonstrating how wealth and faith can coexist purposefully Authentic Hospitality: Home as ministry without being preachy or judgmental Crisis as Witness: Using terminal illness as opportunity to demonstrate faith rather than bitterness Multi-Cultural Family: Adoption across racial and cultural lines as expression of kingdom values

Teaching Opportunity​

Real-Time Discipleship: Current ALS journey provides unprecedented opportunity to document authentic faith under pressure Next Generation: Children raised in this environment now starting their own families and ministries Practical Christianity: Concrete examples of how biblical principles work in modern family life

Connection to Gary Sheng​

  • Discovered through Johnny Rapp: Introduced during August 23, 2025 conversation about family documentary project
  • Alignment with Vision: Perfect example of Gary's interest in families that combine technology, faith, and global impact
  • Documentary Subject: Ideal first family for "Heirloom Media" project concept
  • Network Expansion: Potential gateway to other Nashville Christian families and Uganda ministry connections

Interaction History​

  • 2025-08-23: Introduced to Gary through Johnny's enthusiastic description during documentary planning conversation
  • Historical Connection: Johnny's multi-year relationship through son Michael's basketball team and family friendship
  • Previous Collaboration: Johnny's tech support for Uganda hospital iPad setup project

Future Potential​

  • Primary Documentary Subject: Natural first choice for Gary and Johnny's family documentation project
  • Uganda Expansion: Gateway to international documentary opportunities in Africa
  • Nashville Network: Connection point to other exemplary Christian families in Nashville area
  • Legacy Documentation: Urgent opportunity to capture Mike's wisdom and family dynamics before ALS progression
  • Fundraising Integration: Built-in opportunity to support Love One International through documentary project

Notes​

The Mayernick family represents exactly what Gary and Johnny are seeking: a technologically integrated, globally impactful, authentically faithful family that demonstrates how to live well in modern America. Mike's ALS diagnosis creates both urgency and profound teaching opportunity, while their Uganda work provides natural international expansion. Their long-standing connection with Johnny and proven track record of welcoming outsiders makes them ideal inaugural subject for the "Heirloom Media" project.