Birthing and Mentoring A Generation - The Launch

Mentorship refers to a developmental relationship between a more experienced mentor and a less experienced partner referred to as a protégé—a person guided and protected by a more prominent person (ref Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentoring).

Mentoring is a process that is based upon a relationship that a mentor opens up his/her life to the person that that is being mentored.

A mentorship is a supportive relationship established between two individuals where knowledge, skills, and experience are shared. The mentee is someone seeking guidance in developing specific competencies, self-awareness, and skills in early intervention. The mentor is a person who has expertise in the areas of need identified by the mentee and is able to share their wisdom in a nurturing way.

In this relationship, the mentee has the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and observe a more experienced professional or parent within a safe, protected environment. Through reflection and collaboration between the mentor-mentee pair, the mentee can become more self-confident and competent in their integration and application of the knowledge and skills gained in the mentorship demonstrating best practice.

Mentoring helps people walk through life with peace and understanding. We want to lead people to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus. He is our only true counselor and our prayer is that He can use us to assist you in your time of need. We all need to be reminded from time to time that God loves us

The mentorship established between two individuals is unique to their needs, personality, learning styles, expectations, and experiences.

Christian mentorship is more like discipleship since the focus here is Christ. It basically points to God. People get mentored in faith and in life; it provides a relationship; it helps in empowering; equipping not only to grow personally but also start the cycle all over by being ready to mentor others.

So many examples can be given from the Bible where mentorship/discipleship took place:

• Jethro mentored Moses; Moses mentored Joshua and the elders of Israel. Joshua mentored the other army leaders.
• Deborah mentored Barak.
• Eli mentored Samuel
• Samuel mentored Saul and David who became Israel's greatest king.
• Ahithophel and Nathan the prophet also mentored David.
• David mentored his army commanders and government officials, to establish the united nation of Israel. David also
mentored Solomon.
• Solomon mentored the Queen of Sheba, who returned to her people with his wisdom in the form of Proverbs that
applied God's laws.
• Elijah mentored Elisha.
• Elisha mentored king Jehoash and others.
• Daniel mentored Nebuchadnezzar, who humbled himself before God.
• Mordecai mentored Esther
• Esther mentored King Artaxerxes, which resulted in liberating God's people.
• Jesus mentored the twelve apostles who established the Christian church.
• The twelve mentored hundreds of other leaders, including Paul.
• Paul mentored Titus, Timothy and many others.
• Timothy mentored "faithful men" such as Epaphras.
• Epaphras and the other faithful men mentored "others also" (2 Timothy 2:2) which led to a chain reaction that
resulted in dozens of new churches in Asia.

So much can be said about mentoring. Well, this time round, KAYO, Diocese of Nairobi will be rolling out its own mentorship programme. The programme will be launched at a colourful dinner to be held on 28th June 2008 at ACK St. James Buruburu. The event has been dubbed as the KAYO Alumni Dinner Launch since the youth seek to tap into the wide range of would be mentors some of whom have been identified as those who served before them in the Youth Ministry. The theme is “Birthing and Mentoring a Generation.”

The charges are Ksh 500 for the youth and Kshs 800 for Alumni. The dinner starts at 4pm and ends at 8:30pm. Deadline for registration and confirmation has been given as Thursday, June 26th 2008. All payments to be made at Imani House or to the KAYO treasurer – CDO.

The main objectives of the dinner are:
- Bridge the gap between KAYO and Mothers’ Union and KAMA, thus ensure young people have mentors.
- Enable former KAYO members keep in touch with KAYO and its activities, therefore offer support where they can,
especially in areas of expertise.
- Create a forum where young married adults can meet and share experiences and problems under the guidance of older
couples.
- Encourage youth to be part of KAYO.

Preparations for this event are in top gear. The morale among the youth in the Diocese is quite high.

“So it would be a great place to start searching if you've been praying for a Christian partner who has elegance, a sense of humour, style, a person after God's own heart...
Before we all get carried away, we're looking for mentors. That's the primary objective.”

This was said by one youth member who is really looking forward to the event.

For any clarification or for more information concerning the event, kindly write an email to kaynairobi@gmail.com, or call 0728 055500. For those who are unable to pay before the deadline, kindly get in touch through the above contacts.

Generation Impactor: Be the change
1 Tim 4:12