Mentoring

When I hit the big 4-0, I looked back at my younger years and lamented one thing. I never had that one incredible mentor relationship I’d dreamt about my whole life. That one person who could pour into me, counsel me when I needed advice or a shoulder to cry on, teach me the Word, help me apply it to my life, and so on. Not having that growing up, I was so hungry for it early on in my faith journey as a young adult! And while I tried seeking it out to no avail, I eventually came to learn that having one such mentor for life is kind of like winning the lottery. What I came to understand over the years, is that I had a plethora of “mentors” (even if I never referred to them as such) in so many areas of my life in different seasons! God always seemed to lead me to the right people (or even the right books by the right authors who became like mentors as I learned from them) in the right seasons.

In college, when I was exploring my faith and taking steps toward Jesus, God opened the hearts and home of an amazing young married couple who were passionate about discipling college students in their town.

As a new and clueless mom, a dear friend further down the path than me introduced me to a wonderful ministry and series of books that helped me the day I read the first chapter!

When I felt the tug on my heart to home educate my children, God brought 2 incredible women into my life who discipled me intensely for about a year in person, and then continued encouraging and equipping me from a distance after a move.

And in some of the darkest seasons of life, I was led to ministries and individuals who brought me tremendous hope and healing in the areas of physical, mental, and spiritual health and wholeness.

Overflowing with gratitude for these and many more people in my life who have helped shape who I am and what I believe, I longed for a way to do this more purposefully for the young women in my own life. Yes, I was doing my best to encourage those in my life, but I longed for a way to multiply my time with them, teach on more than just a single topic or book of the Bible, be available for them, but also not overwhelm them in their busy seasons of life.

As a pastor’s wife, I’ve seen countless women’s ministries, discipleship ministries, and small group ministries. But what I saw didn’t typically reflect what I saw in Scripture.

I never really saw the older pouring into the younger. Instead, I mostly saw silos according to age.

I never really saw group members’ lasting commitment or an openness to encouragement and Biblical correction. Instead, I mostly saw people leaving groups when “better” or less challenging opportunities presented themselves.

I never really saw transparency by leaders. Instead, I mostly saw those who were transparent get shamed by those who were more interested in hiding the hard parts of their lives.

And I never really saw disciples multiplying disciples. Instead, I mostly saw leaders getting burned out as group members were content with simply being fed and not feeding.

I believed there had to be a better way. But I didn’t really know what that would look like. That is, until I read Mentor Like Jesus by Regi Campbell. This book laid out the philosophies Regi lived out for decades. This man was truly making disciples who were making disciples! He had expectations for his young men and they gladly agreed to them solely for the opportunity to be poured into! (I wonder, how much growth have we stifled in others because we were afraid to set a higher bar for them?)

So from the moment I finished this book, I’ve been dreaming and planning to do something like it for young women. And I am beyond excited that the time has come for me to invite you to be a part!

I don’t claim to be some incredible teacher, but I will gladly pass on the knowledge I’ve gained from my life experience. I’m definitely not someone who has all the answers, but I am blessed to be able to encourage you. I am not a formally trained theologian, but I’ve sought the Lord in good times and bad and can direct you to find truth in His Word. And I am not some discipleship guru, but I can show you what it looks like to come alongside others and spur them on to do the same.

Let’s do this!

You’re invited!

Have you ever desired what I did? To be poured into by someone with the wisdom that can only come from more life experience in a certain area? To study God’s Word and learn practical advice that will benefit your day-to-day life? Then mentoring might be just what you’ve been looking for!

Why mentorship?

Mentorship is discipleship, and as Christians, we are called to make disciples. As women, we are called to teach and train the generations.

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” Titus 2:3-5 ESV

What better model of true discipleship is there than that of mentorship? It’s personal and purposeful in its model and creates lasting relationships that can be multiplied as the mentees eventually step out in faith and become mentors themselves!

Who is mentorship for?

Mentorship is for all of us! It’s for women who are ready to dig deep into the Word of God in various areas of their lives such as becoming more biblically literate, living our day to day lives as a Christian, developing a biblical worldview, living as a healthy Christian, becoming a godly mom, navigating life as an intentional homeschool mom, or thriving as a committed pastor’s wife. And it’s for women who want to be coached and challenged, encouraged and equipped.

How do we know if we’ll be a good fit?

This is very important to me. I want to make sure we are compatible and that I’ll actually be able to provide you with the wisdom you seek. So whenever you are ready to do so, you’ll fill out an initial intake form where I can get to know a bit more about you and what you’re looking for. At my discretion, I may also request a 15 minute phone call to discuss further. After all, if I don’t think I have the right wisdom to offer you, then I don’t want to waste your time. I’ll review this form and our conversation, pray about it, and will respond whether I believe I am the best fit to become a mentor for you.

What is individual mentorship vs. a mentorship group?

Individual mentorship is a 1-on-1 relationship, led by someone with more life experience (yours truly!). We can hone in on a particular area of life or keep it broad. In these relationships, I will lovingly lead, encourage, coach, resource, and challenge you personally to grow and thrive as a woman of God.

A mentorship group is simply a group of 3-12 women, led by someone with more life experience (also yours truly!). These groups will be focused on specific areas of life. In these groups, I will also lovingly lead, encourage, coach, resource, and challenge group members to grow and thrive as women of God.

Where would we meet?

All meetings will take place virtually online so that I can be available to women all over the USA! (You must have the ability to use email, Zoom, and Google Drive.) These are not recordings. You’ll actually be speaking with me.

When would we meet?

Individual sessions will be scheduled based on my availability and yours.

Groups will be pre-scheduled to meet on different days and times, so be sure to check what groups are currently being offered and when they meet.

What curriculum will we use?

Technically speaking, there won’t be a formal curriculum. This is not just another small group or book study. It’s not curriculum-based; it’s a relationship. While we may use books (definitely will in the groups, as they will be a bit more structured), with the mentor-type of relationship, there is more accountability, more coaching, and more personal application. The goal of mentorship is lasting life change according to the Word of God!