Radical Mentoring’s relational approach is helping churches see that discipleship is not only about having the right tools. It is also about having people who walk with you, support you, and help you stay the course.

When I found out that I was pregnant, I started researching everything. I read about what to expect, how to take care of my body, and how to prepare for labor. The list kept growing and growing.

To say that I felt overwhelmed would be an understatement.

I was doing all the reading and watching all the videos, but something still felt missing. Then my husband and I joined an eight-week prenatal course where we met in person each week with other expecting couples and learned from different providers about important pregnancy and labor topics.

We learned a lot, but more than that, we felt accompanied. Being in that room with other people walking through a similar season changed the experience. Suddenly it did not feel like we were trying to figure everything out on our own.

That experience reminded me of something important: information matters, but guidance and community can make all the difference.

And it made me think about Radical Mentoring. Because this ministry is not only about giving churches access to resources, but also about walking alongside people as they lead, grow, and invest in others.

Why this shift matters

As time goes by and more studies emerge, we continue to see the same pattern. Many young people today are living with deep loneliness, isolation, and a lack of guidance.

Churches are recognizing that reality and are searching for ways to build stronger communities and more intentional discipleship pathways for the next generation.

That is where Radical Mentoring has continued to grow.

The ministry began more than 25 years ago when its founder, Regi Campbell, started mentoring small groups of men. What began as a personal investment eventually grew into an organization committed to helping churches create mentoring cultures of their own.

In 2007, Radical Mentoring was officially formed, and a few years later it adopted a “give-it-away” model so churches and mentors could access the tools they needed to launch groups.

For many years, that model served churches well. Users could create an account on the platform, build their groups, choose a track, add mentors and mentees, and access the resources for the journey.

But over time, it became clear that resources alone were not enough.

Over the past year, Radical Mentoring has intentionally shifted from being primarily a resource provider to becoming a relational guide. Instead of simply handing churches the tools and stepping back, we now walk more closely with them throughout the process.

That includes mentoring guides who help churches launch their groups, mid-point follow-ups, fire-tending calls, in-person mentor training, and alumni meet-ups that create continued connection.

How churches are responding

The response has been overwhelmingly and universally positive.

Church leaders and mentors consistently share that they feel more supported, more encouraged, and more connected! Instead of feeling like they are building something alone, they feel part of a broader community that is committed to investing in the next generation of disciples.

In many ways, that is what made my prenatal course so meaningful too. Yes, the information was valuable. But what stayed with me most was the experience of being guided and supported in a community.

That is what Radical Mentoring’s relational approach is offering churches.

If you are considering starting mentoring in your church, Radical Mentoring is here to walk with you. When you create an account, you will be connected with a mentoring guide who can help you launch your group, answer questions, and support you throughout the journey.

That is the heart of Radical Mentoring’s relational approach: not just providing tools, but walking alongside churches as they invest in the next generation.

Your mentoring journey can start today.