The #iMentor Initiative was started to honor the investment of mentors all over the world, and to encourage potential mentors to take the initiative in starting an intentional relationship with a college student today.
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Why I Mentor…
When I entered college at the University of Cincinnati, my goal was to get away from the calling that I knew God had on my life. I knew He had called me to ministry, but I wanted no part in it. My mother sent an email to the Campus Pastor for the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at UC, Ken Dillard. He contacted me and invited me to a gathering of Christians on campus. I reluctantly went — and things have never been the same since then.
Throughout that year I was challenged by Ken’s teaching and felt a return to the path more clearly. After my collegiate career crumbled around me, Ken suggested that we start meeting more often. Well, I took that to the next step and started following Ken EVERYWHERE: home to his family, Baptist state meetings, random meetings on campus. Ken, was using his life to teach me all kinds of things about ministry and to live this Faith. We would spend countless hours over the years discussing the deep theological, social, and emotional aspects of ministry and faith — all while playing a lot of Ping Pong!
Ken let his life be a lesson and experience for me. He held nothing back! As I started to cut my teeth in ministry, Ken continued to push me and my understanding of Scripture and everything else. My understanding of ministry and mentoring will forever be tied to a man who chose to let a college student into his life. Ken is now, and will forever be, one of my best friends, challengers, and champions! I still see students meeting all the time with Dr. Dillard and know that they too will come out on the other side better prepared for whatever God may have for them.
That’s why #iMentor >> Do you?
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Mentors are ordinary people who avail themselves to being used by God — in the life of another — in extraordinary ways. Check out the #iMentor page and consider how God might want to intentionally use you in the life of another. I bet you’ve got a story to share! And if you’re looking for a resource to help you in this important work, consider my new book: Shaping Their Future: Mentoring Students Through Their Formative College Years.
