Mentors and the A-Team

[Zach]

I had a really great mentor, Rev. D. Karl Thomas of the Apostolic Church in Canada. He had a saying that went something like, ” I do, you watch. We do together. You do and I watch.” He gave me many great opportunities to get involved in ministry, to take risks, make mistakes and learn from him in real time. He would take me to meetings, let me speak, share his stories and life lessons, and share with me about family, decision making, and general life stuff not just ministry. I think giving me so much time and access, and allowing me to be part of what he was doing in ministry really helped shaped who I am today. The ability to learn, to try and fail,. and grow while someone has your back was so important.

[Jaylen]

I’ve had the priveledge of doing lots of programs that have formal mentorship built into them. So for me they were scheduled meetings. At ywam, my DTS leader was a great guy, and he really led in a very relational way. He felt like a friend, well, he was a friend, and he always approached with a caring and genuine heart when he’d mentor me.
Another mentor I had was the director of OMEGA. Who is a very smart, drive, and passionate guy. He was very good at articulating advice for me and I would always bring him theological concepts or discipleship esk questions for us to discuss together. He has said many tidbits that I certainly live by today.

[Kimberly]

Mentoring has taken place in many areas of my life. I think the most common would be over a cup of coffee chatting or while travelling. My husband and I love to host people over for dinner, and when we first moved 8 hours away from our home town a few years ago and found our now home church, we made a goal of having one new family/person over for dinner each weekend. We found so many people that have poured into us by doing this, and have had such amazing conversations over food that ended up shaping our family life and transition into our church so deeply. I have never had one specific mentor who had the formally designated label, but I have many Godly people in my life that have taught me so much about living life as a Christian who loves people.

[Deleted User]

I would say that unofficial mentoring has happened in each of these places. I have had people pour into and mentor me while driving me somewhere, over coffee or tea, and working together in ministry. I have found that the most impactful way that I have been mentored is when working together in ministry contexts. Through some mission trips that I have taken, I have had some very special mentors pour into me, encourage me, and help me process some of the things going on in these experiences. I am very thankful for the individuals who have mentored me over the years.