Mentors and the A-Team

[Taliya]

I’ve never labeled any relationship in my life as a mentorship because I grew up thinking you could only talk about what you’re being mentored in with a mentor. It felt like a relationship with a strict agenda, not really a friendship. But I’ve come to realize the friendship I have with some older, respected spiritual leaders in my life may be considered a mentorship. Just last week my husband and I reached out to one couple and asked if we could pick their brains about finances and other life struggles. It’s very informal, and I would still consider them my friends more than my mentors, but they are Godly people who have gone before Hugh and I and we recognize there is wisdom they have from their life experience that we would love to know. So the main context mentorship has taken place in my life is over supper, over coffee, at a church event, or just while hanging out.

[Chris]

I think the biggest mentor in my life was my Dad. Of course, I never had to ask him to mentor me, as it was pretty much his responsibility – at least early on! That being said, there was no one that I went to – albeit informally – more than him. Having been a Pastor and someone with unshakable faith, I would rarely make a big decision without running it by him. I also observed how he “did life”, how he handled himself with people, with his relationship with the Lord and with the church.

[Sarah]

I have experienced mentorship primarily through the boss and employee relationship I have had with people at Street Invaders, United Youth Outreach, and Calgary Full Gospel Church. I have also experienced it through pastors in my life especially my youth pastor. I have also experienced it through participating in groups such as the ACOP Next Gen team or Martyr’s Life at Eston College. Mentorship has most often been a result of doing ministry in the same space as a leader in my life.

[Caleb]

Although I’ve never had an officially labeled “mentor” relationship, I’ve had a lot of people pour into me over the years. I think of having quick chats with one of the leaders at bible camp growing up which was just us hanging out on a fallen tree trunk in the middle of the woods. I also think of grabbing coffee with my best friends dad who is a crazily ministry minded man of God. or even just asking my home church pastor questions after service and having a conversation. Although talking is cheap, its also been rare these days with such digital connection. Every mentorship relationship I’ve had has always just been simple conversation that somehow leads to talking about being a follower of Jesus. I think we just need to talk more with brothers and sisters in Christ, and we need to be not afraid to talk to those around us who don’t know Jesus. Everyone needs a good conversation.