The #iMentor Initiative was started to honor the investment of mentors all over the world, and to encouragepotential mentors to take the initiative in starting an intentional relationship with a college student today.

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I didn’t grow up desiring to someday be a mentor.  I “fell” into it when a colleague suggested I interview for a Resident Director (R.D.) position.  I was looking for a new job and it seemed like an adventure — especially since the university was in Southern California!!!

After over 20 years of R.D. life and serving with over 170 Resident Assistants (R.A.s), I can truly say that I am a different person from interacting and walking with many wonderful college students.

Meeting one-on-one with a R.A. was an expectation listed in the job description.  I remember during my first year anxiously wondering what I would do with the time!  What began as a “requirement” became an amazingly significant opportunity to invest and challenge these young leaders to develop their potential.

It was during these weekly intentional times that I came to learn a lot about myself.

I soon realized I was not listening…my brain was jumping ahead and trying to form the next question.  I remember I had to work hard to be present with each one and listen to their words and not my brain!  My thoughts were centered on my performance, rather than meeting the R.A. in their story.

I also remember being awkward with silence.  I somehow thought that the best R.D.s knew how to fill the minutes.  The silence seemed to reveal a weakness in my leadership.  With time, the silence became the space to reflect and ponder before rushing on to the next “paragraph” of discussion.  The ministry of presence became very valuable.  I didn’t need to be “productive” with every minute — silence seemed to create its own fruitfulness!

I eventually realized these weekly conversations were opportunities to join God in His work in the student’s lives.  They were a rare privilege.  These times were an opportunity to listen to God AND to the student…a coming together of the Body of Christ (where two or more are gathered)…no longer a mandated job expectation, but sacred space.

Did these times change the lives of R.A.s? You will need to explore that possibility with them.  However, I do know that these intentional times with them changed me.  I am more than I ever thought I was created to be because of being with them.

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Mentors are just 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.