Mentoring Experiences

For 33 years, we have held a weekly men’s Bible study here in the Orlando area. When Patrick (“Pat”) Morley first started the group, it would’ve been difficult to imagine that more than 100 men would still be gathering today—with thousands of others watching online!

Last fall, we expanded our vision for the Bible study to include one-on-one, spiritual mentoring. We recognized the need and the desire for mentoring—but also the hesitation. It was clear we needed a strategy to help men overcome the obstacles and remove the guesswork. With this in mind, we created The Christian Man Mentoring Experience.

We started with a special series called LAUNCH, featuring guest speakers who shared—with incredible vulnerability—how they learned to rely on God and others to help them overcome obstacles such as failed dreams, the lack of a father’s love, destructive habits, and mental health challenges. There was such power in these men—from ministry leaders to multi-millionaires—being open with their stories! And it helped those listening realize they could be open with their stories as well.

Next, we asked mature believers if they’d like to be mentors, and we trained them. When it was time to extend the invitation to be mentored, we intentionally announced a commitment of 12 weeks up front. Then we provided all the tools they’d need: The Christian Man book and corresponding Coaching Guide to walk them through weekly, one-on-one meetings. You can read more about the process here.

Several weeks into the The Christian Man Mentoring Experience, we asked the pairs of men to share how the process was impacting them so far.

Pat and Daniel

Pat didn’t want to just tell guys a how-to for mentoring another man; he wanted to show them by doing it alongside them. When he was paired with Daniel, a 34-year-old business professional and former college athlete, he was excited about the possibility because he’d been impacted profoundly by mentoring himself.

“Many years ago, a man named Jim saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” he recalled, “and he spoke words of encouragement that I’d never heard before. It unchained something inside me.”

Likewise, Daniel was looking forward to the experience. “Since college, I’d realized how necessary it is to have someone to help you through the pitfalls of life.” He added, “I think men don’t engage in mentoring relationships more because it only works through truth and vulnerability, and for a lot of men, that’s a scary place to stand.”

But that’s exactly the place Pat and Daniel decided to stand—and so far, it’s been extremely rewarding. “Pat has helped me sort through some of my questions about marriage, and also adjust my perspective about the role that sin plays to distract me from my true purpose,” Daniel shared. “I think God is showing me the power of true discipleship, and how much one caring life can impact many others. This experience has made me consider being a mentor to someone else in the future.”

Pat marveled, “Daniel keeps telling me how much this process means to him, but I’m getting just as much from him—fresh energy, a feeling that I’m making a contribution, and I’m getting stretched and growing as well!”

Brett and Griff

Man in the Mirror president Brett Clemmer was paired with Griff, a young man hungry for change.

“I had been going through life aimlessly and recently started to try to make some changes. When I heard the call to be mentored, I saw an opportunity,” Griff said. “I think most men bottle everything up inside and try to just power through it alone. Through this mentoring experience, I think God is showing me I can’t do this alone. He’s going to put people in our lives that can help us grow in our faith.”

Brett shared, “Seeing Griff hunger for God’s Word and presence, beginning to live for something bigger than just his current experience, and making concrete changes to his life has been incredibly gratifying—and it has helped me re-center some of my own thinking on these crucial areas we’re discussing. Each week, I look forward to spending time with my new brother!”

Jim and Ishmael

Jim was paired with Ishmael, a young man who works in shipping and is participating in management training with his company.

Ismael told us, “I look forward to using what I’m learning and these tools to sit down with other young men to help them in their spiritual journey—but also to help me counsel men who are under my supervision at work.”

In addition, it has been very helpful to him personally as he navigates a long-distance relationship with his son.

Jim, who works with men who are struggling on a daily basis through a recovery ministry, shared his experience: “I have gone through other mentoring and discipleship processes that have a much larger scope and longer duration. The effect is that we ‘lose’ many men through the process. In contrast, The Christian Man Mentoring Experience is simple to use, and it leaves the door open for further counseling, mentoring, and fellowship.”

YOU and ________

We hope that these stories and the materials have left you feeling confidently equipped to mentor another man or start a church-wide mentoring program.

We believe wholeheartedly that one-on-one mentoring is a powerful tool in your discipleship toolbox—and that it has the power to change the world! Discipleship changes EVERYTHING.

If we can support you in this journey, please call us at 800.929.2536 or email us.

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