Mentor Me

There is a truth that burns deep within me and motivates me in the mission God has placed on my life. It is simply this – No One Succeeds on Their Own!  

Mentoring is a means of making the future bright for the young people in our lives. And the joy of stepping into that calling is greater than you might imagine.  For more than three decades, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside churches, youth leaders, parents, and grandparents who long to see the next generation know, love, and follow Jesus. Out of that journey came the Pray for Me Campaign, which exists to connect young people with adults of all ages through the power and simplicity of prayer. Over and over, I’ve seen how God uses intentional mentoring friendships to help young people flourish in both faith and life.   

Throughout my life God has used ordinary men and women to significantly shape my life. They are in what I call, my personal “Hall of Fame”. Their steady presence and faithful encouragement through the years has made all the difference in my life. Matt Brinkley is one of those people. I met Matt when I was just starting out in full-time youth ministry at a retreat he was hosting for youth pastors and their wives. From the beginning of our relationship, he has been modeling and mentoring me in how to invest in others. His influence has flavored much of my life and ministry.  That’s why I’m so grateful for Matt’s new book, Mentor Me. Mentoring is in his DNA. This book captures something we desperately need in our churches and communities today: adults who are willing to step into the lives of young people with humility, love, and the desire to pass on the faith that has shaped them.  In these pages, you’ll find both vision and practical guidance for mentoring conversations that feel natural, winsome, and life-giving. Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, a youth leader, or simply someone who cares about the emerging generation, Mentor Me will equip you to step forward with confidence.  My prayer is that as you read, you will be stirred with fresh hope and equipped with practical tools to become the kind of mentor who helps a new generation see and savor the greatness of God. 

—Tony Souder 
Founder, Pray for Me Campaign