MENTORING: THE KEY TO MULTIPLICATION
June 6, 2020

Imagine watching, talking with, and walking with Jesus on a daily basis. Imagine seeing the dust on his face and the sweat on his brow. Imagine you are one of the 12 apostles, and the last two years you have spent learning from the greatest teacher ever.


Jesus is described mostly as a teacher in the Bible, but the word "mentor" is also a great way to describe Him. A mentor can be defined in different ways, but the best definition may be "a trusted counselor or guide" (Merriam-Webster).


Mentoring is important because it is an investment into another human being. It trains, corrects, and loves others. It balances grace in one hand and truth in the other. Simply put, mentoring follows in the footsteps of Jesus, and Scripture backs it up.


So, what exactly is mentoring? Here are five verbs through which Jesus sets an example of what mentoring should look like.

 

1. Identify

And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles. (Luke 6:13)


The first step of mentoring is identifying people to invest into. Jesus chose people who had a need, but he also chose people with potential. He saw talents and skills inside of the disciples that they hadn't yet seen themselves. He intentionally approached them and chose to invest into their lives.


He did not wait to invest into others until they sought him out. Instead, He actively searched for people that He could add value to, and you can do the same.

 

2. Equip

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. (Matthew 5:1)


In the same way, before you can add value to anyone, you must determine what it is you have to offer. Is it experience, wisdom, commitment? Clearly, Jesus had a purpose in his teaching, and he equipped his disciples with the necessary tools to succeed in their mission.


For anyone to do a good work, they must first be equipped. They must be trained and taught what it looks like to do something with excellence and integrity. If people are not equipped, then they will never have the courage or confidence to lead and make a difference.

 

3. Walk

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. (John 3:22)


Jesus experienced the ups and downs with his disciples. He ate with them, walked with them, taught them, and had deep conversations with them. In other words, he spent intentional time with them.


Point blank, mentoring is experiencing life with other people. It is extending encouragement when times are tough, offering advice amidst indecision, and giving correction when things go wrong. As challenging as it can be, no person can truly know someone else without taking the journey with them.

 

4. Empower

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-20)


Jesus identified, equipped, walked with, and then empowered his disciples to make a difference. He had prepared them to do good works. He didn't give them responsibility they didn't earn, and he didn't expect wisdom without His teaching. But when the right time came, he unleashed them to operate in their giftings.


In the same way, you must empower those that you are mentoring. If they make mistakes, you correct. If they have a success, rejoice. Always remember, empowering others is the key to truly making a difference in their life.

 

5. Partner

By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. (1 John 4:13)


Long term commitment to another person is the final step to mentoring. Sure the level of commitment may change, but the greatest mentors become a lifelong resource to rely upon in times of struggle, joy, and change.


Jesus provided an ultimate example of partnership by offering his Holy Spirit to guide and show the way. His physical presence may have left, but his spiritual guidance never will.

 

Mentoring is the key to sustainable change, and what you sow into others will be multiplied. Jesus invested everything he had into his disciples, and because of that they spread the good news all over the region. In the same way, you have been created for relationships and have the ability to make a profound difference in someone's life.



So if you're not doing it already, take the jump to identify, equip, walk, empower, and partner with someone who needs it. You have something of value to offer, and someone is waiting for you to give them the wings they need to reach their dreams.

Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs as Agents of Change

By Elizabeth Rivas • March 14, 2023
Faith-driven entrepreneurs, like our Branches Worldwide Leaders, can play a significant role in positively impacting their communities through their businesses. These individuals have a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in the world, which can drive them to create innovative solutions to community problems and to lead with integrity and compassion. One way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by creating jobs and economic opportunities (like AJ in South Africa ). By starting and growing successful businesses, they can provide employment for local residents and stimulate economic growth. This can help to reduce poverty and improve the overall well-being of the community. Additionally, faith-driven entrepreneurs may choose to pay fair wages and provide good working conditions, which can help to improve the lives of their employees and their families. Another way faith-driven entrepreneurs can change their communities is by addressing social issues through their businesses. For example, they may choose to start a non-profit organization that provides services to those in need, as Alice has done for girls and women in Kenya. Such entrepreneurs may also choose to incorporate social and environmental responsibility into their for-profit business models. This can include implementing sustainable practices, fair trade policies and supporting local charities, which can help to improve the lives of people in their communities. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as role models for others in their communities, particularly for young people. By demonstrating the importance of hard work, perseverance, and integrity, they can inspire others to pursue their own business dreams and to strive for success in their own lives. Furthermore, their demonstration of faith in action through their businesses can serve as a powerful example of how one can live out one's values and beliefs in the world. Faith-driven entrepreneurs can also serve as leaders in their communities. They use their influence and resources to bring about positive change through various initiatives, such as supporting local schools, promoting environmental conservation, and working to improve the overall quality of life for their community members. Our Leader, David , is doing exactly this in his international school in India. Our Branches Worldwide Leaders are proving the multitude of positive effects that faith-driven entrepreneurs can have in their communities. From providing direct assistance through jobs or providing services to those in need to being a source of inspiration for others, these entrepreneurs are creating change that will reverberate across geography and generations. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .

Merging Business Mentorship and Christian Mentorship

By Elizabeth Rivas • January 30, 2023
Business mentorship can be a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to grow and succeed in their careers. A business mentor is an experienced individual who can provide guidance, support, and advice to help you navigate the often complex and unpredictable world of business. Meanwhile, Christian mentorship is a type of mentorship that involves a Christian mentor providing guidance, support, and advice to a mentee, with a focus on spiritual and moral development. Branches Worldwide Mentors serve as both business and Christian Mentors. We believe that faith and business can not only coexist, but that they can mutually strengthen each other. Our Mentors not only guide our Leaders in pragmatic elements of business, but also in their spiritual journeys. One of the key benefits of business mentorship is the opportunity to learn from someone who has first-hand knowledge of the field. Our Mentors share their own experiences, insights, and lessons learned, helping our Leaders avoid common pitfalls and to make better decisions. This can be especially useful for those who are just starting out in their career, as they may not have the same level of experience or knowledge as more seasoned professionals. Our Mentors also serve as role models, offering guidance and support as the Leader navigates their own faith journey. They may provide biblical teaching and encouragement, as well as offer practical advice and application of the scriptures. Another benefit of merging Christian and business mentorship is the opportunity to network and build professional relationships with other entrepreneurs of faith. Mentors can introduce Leaders to other like-minded industry professionals, giving Leaders the chance to expand their network and strengthen their spiritual development. Overall, mentorship is an invaluable resource for Christians looking to grow in their faith and navigate the challenges of life and business. We at Branches Worldwide are honored to work with a number of such individuals. At Branches Worldwide , we exist to connect and empower a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs who use their businesses as a means of transforming their communities. We believe every visionary leader should have the resources and relationships to help them impact their community. Contact us to learn more about becoming a Leader , Mentor , or Donor .
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