Why Mentorship Matters

Here goes, I thought, ringing the doorbell. I’d never met Dr. Margaret Helder, the creationist and PhD biologist on whose doorstep I stood, a teenager clutching a notebook of questions. I hadn’t even been interested in creation apologetics until shortly before when I’d heard a presentation by Answers in Genesis founder Ken Ham. Upon noticing my newfound interest in apologetics, my parents had suggested I contact Dr. Helder, asking if she’d be willing to meet.

I sent Dr. Helder my first email, not fully realizing that one of the most influential figures in Canada’s young earth creation movement was about to become part of my life. She not only welcomed me into her house to answer my biology questions but also continued mentoring me as I prepared to study science at a secular university. When I reached university and opened my biology textbook, the first chapter I read stated, “There is consensus among biologists that evolution is the core theme of biology. The evolutionary changes in the fossil record are an observable fact.”1

Well then. If my textbooks began with such indoctrination, I’d be in for a long four years. But I wouldn’t be alone. My mentor, Dr. Helder, was only an email away.

Mentorship: A Biblical Concept

A mentor is simply anyone willing to personally share valuable experience, knowledge, and insights to benefit someone else—especially someone younger. We can find examples of mentorship throughout Scripture, with famous mentor-mentee pairs including Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, and Paul and Timothy. Multiple proverbs extol the value of seeking wise counsel,2 and the New Testament admonishes the elders in the church to teach the younger members.

In my case, Dr. Helder mentored me by offering practical advice for weathering the spiritual battlefield of university. As I encountered unbiblical messages that I wasn’t sure how to answer, I wrote down questions to ask Dr. Helder. When I returned home between semesters, Dr. Helder welcomed me back into her house, addressed my questions, and pointed me to follow-up apologetics resources.

Why Mentors Matter

I’m not the only young person who’s found a mentor invaluable for navigating secular classrooms and culture. After graduating, I backpacked 360° around the world, asking Christian students how they kept their faith at their universities. In every culture, mentorship emerged as one of the top themes. A student in Thailand summarized, “I think [mentorship] is the most efficient way for youth to keep their faith and grow in Christ. I’ve seen so many people drift away because no one took care of them; no one spent time with them; no one was praying with them.”

Several major studies confirm this student’s observation. For example, Barna researchers recently found that connections with godly older adults help set apart the mere 10% of church-raised American youth who go on to exhibit a strong biblical worldview as young adults.3 Similarly, surveys of over 3,500 Canadian young adults and ministry workers highlighted the significance of mentorship for helping youth cultivate a lasting, thriving faith.4

Mentor Roles

What makes mentorship so valuable? From my experience at university and interviewing students, the answer seems to lie in mentors’ abilities to help younger believers build three foundations for flourishing as Christians in secular environments.

• Spiritual foundations involve a close, personal relationship with God. Mentors can support their mentees’ spiritual development by teaching them from Scripture, praying with and for mentees, and offering insights gleaned from years of walking with God. Mentors can also inspire their mentees’ faith by sharing personal stories of experiencing God’s faithfulness.
• Intellectual foundations enable Christians to logically defend a biblical worldview. Mentors can fortify their mentees’ intellectual foundations by studying apologetics materials with them, listening to their tough questions, and helping them find biblical answers.
• Interpersonal foundations are Christians’ support networks, including family, friends—and mentors. Having godly role models who lend encouragement, prayer, and a listening ear reminds younger Christians that they’re not navigating secular culture on their own.

Types of Mentors

Mentorship can look as formal as a weekly appointment to discuss spiritual goals or as informal as a chat after church on Sunday. Thinking back to my own student experiences, I can identify three types of mentors:

Sages: wise, experienced individuals willing to meet a mentee for regular discipleship, discussion, job shadowing, or Q&A.

Allies: older Christians who informally support younger people through prayer, friendship, encouragement, and listening. Allies usually love to meet the practical needs of others, whether offering a homemade lunch, a hug, or a ride to church.

Responders: experienced individuals who may not be able to meet mentees regularly, but who mentees may freely contact with questions, concerns, or prayer requests.

These categories aren’t necessarily separate. Some mentoring relationships may include elements of each. Whatever the specifics, for the strongest foundation, a mentee will often seek out all three mentor types.

“Me, a Mentor?”

The concept of mentorship might seem intimidating, prompting doubts such as “What if I don’t have time to mentor or be mentored? What if I don’t feel adequate to mentor?”

However, mentorship doesn’t need to involve massive time commitments from either side. Being a mentor doesn’t require you to be an expert or have experience as a counselor. A student ministry leader I met in Holland beautifully observed, “Whether they’re a homemaker or a CEO, everyone has a perspective that students don’t have. And that’s the main thing students crave. The best thing that can happen to a Christian student . . . is being mentored by someone who is proof that God is faithful.” Mentors also don’t need to know all the answers. They just need to understand where to seek answers—and be willing to join mentees in seeking them. Mentorship simply requires you to be faithful to guide, support, and encourage the mentee God brings to you.

Stronger Together

I can look back across my years of evolutionary indoctrination in university and marvel at God’s creativity in surrounding me with mentors. I remember the lady who drove me to church, the couple who welcomed me for Sunday lunches, the retired pastor who led a student Bible study, and of course Dr. Helder, who continues answering my questions to this day. I’m so thankful that she opened the door those years ago.