7/25/11 Ok, Lord, this mentoring thing. For years, You've had me invite summer interns, summer youth mission groups, spring college campaigns, apprentices, and fulltime urban missionaries to join in the work You've given me. And, it's all good.

I just have to confess that back in June, I really looked forward to a "free" week when I'd have no teen mission group in town to serve, no summer interns to supervise, and no apprentice to watch over because they were at summer camp. I thought, "Man, Lord, I'll get to do my thing, sit with people, tell them about You, hoping that souls would be saved or restored back to You." And I got to do just that. Four people were immersed, and I thought, "Now that's what I'm talking about."

Well, Lord, as in last Mission Message to You, You can see that these interns are doing well. My apprentice is also. So, I'm sure You planned that they would grow in bringing souls to You in this place long before I ever knew them. And, in that, You remind once again, that mentoring is Your way.

Just last week, between them, summer interns and my apprentice, eight people were saved. Twice that of my efforts back in June. Ok, I get it Lord.

Thank You Lord for the reminder that the kingdom grows, even stands or falls, depending upon good handoffs in ministry. Otherwise, all that You have taught me, all that You have allowed me to experience, and all that You want passed along through me, is lost.

So, I will mentor. I will take the time away from what I want to do, to do what You want me to do. And I pray that the kingdom grows.

Thanks for those who recognized the mentoring gift and helped me develop it. Thanks for the mentors You put in my life, good and bad, to teach me how to be the best mentor You would want me to be. Thank You, Lord, for Your plan to hand down the Word, Your work of bringing souls to You, through discipling, training, coaching—You know, Lord, mentoring.

Thank you for young mentorees, so patient to learn, who will take the baton, accept the handoff, and carry Your Word wherever they go. And then, mentor someone else.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others. 2Tim. 2:2, NIV