Mentoring Begins One Conversation at a Time
It was February 2002.
Imagine being asked . . . to write your obituary . . . send it to a total stranger . . .
Then spend a year of your life meeting once a month for 3 hours with an older, wiser, “mentor” and 8 other guys, knowing only one of them.
In my immature mind, I would be rubbing elbows with the “best of Atlanta” and would come out of the year with a new job, a new net worth, and a new set of connections in the business world. A perfect situation for a 27-year-old ‘know-it-all’ ready to take on the world.
Fast forward to February 2015.
Imagine being asked by the same older, wiser “mentor” . . . to leave your comfortable corporate job . . . to partner with him in a radical venture . . . to spend the next season of your life working with men and church leaders committed to building up the next generation and making disciples of Jesus that will change families, communities, and churches. A perfect situation for a 40-year-old ready to help the younger generation avoid some of the mistakes he made.
That’s the funny thing about calling. Sometimes you are ready to accept the call and other times you just want to send it voicemail . . . to come back to it when you have time. I’m a firm believer in the idea that “God prepares the called and calls the prepared.” I needed to walk through the corporate world for the last 15 years doing what I thought was the best thing for my family—accumulating Skymiles and Marriott Points, missing a baseball game or two, waking up unfulfilled and working in an area outside of my purpose—to best prepare me for this calling.
You see, I am a product of an investment made in me by a mentor who was willing to used by God to pour into me what had been given to him. I now believe my calling, at least for this next season of my life, is partnering with him to engage as many men as possible through small group mentoring. And it’s totally consistent with the life purpose statement I developed in my Radical Mentoring Group 13 years ago . . .
I exist to glorify God by helping others unlock and apply their God-given talents and strengths.
Imagine that!
So as I step into this role as Executive Director of Radical Mentoring, I’ve been thinking about my goals. Things like growing the tribe of men who ‘subscribe,’ ‘open,’ ‘visit,’ ‘read,’ ‘follow’ or ‘like’ us to at least 10,000 this year. To help develop 1000 active mentors, and launch 50 active mentoring churches . . . these are goals that come to mind.
But what I truly believe is this . . . Mentoring will begin one conversation at a time. It only takes one man taking a leap of faith, connecting with his church, grabbing 8 younger guys and pouring into them. If that happens enough times, we’ll have helped begin a mentoring movement that will change families, societies, and churches all over. And that is the same thing Jesus did with His 12 guys. Maybe it’s your time. If it is, I’d love to connect. Don’t hesitate to call (770-710-7596) or email (kevin@radicalmentoring.com).
About Kevin . . .
Kevin grew up in Durham, NC and attended Furman University before moving to Atlanta. Prior to joining Radical Mentoring, he led a sales team at Wells Real Estate Funds and served in sales positions at CNL and Atlas Energy. He and his wife Susan have two boys, Thomas (9) and Bo (6), and a 115 lb Newfoundland puppy, Bella. Kevin enjoys coaching his sons, cooking a good meal, reading a good book and watching a good game (Braves, Blue Devils or Bulldogs). You may also find him enjoying a round of golf.
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Responses (12)
Well, we missed that Blue Devils thing in the interview process….but we didn’t miss the heart for mentoring. Welcome aboard my friend!
Regi Campbell
Welcome aboard Kevin! I hope the next season of your life is wonderfully fulfilling and stretching and uplifting and challenging all at the same time.
And I’m fairly confident it will be!
All the best.
Congrats Kevin! We have three mentoring programs a year going on at Leadership Ministries. Let’s a coffee and catch up.
I would love to catch up Chris. I will send an email with some dates and times. See you soon.
Welcome to the team Kevin! I applaud you for listening for the call, answering the call and acting on the call. Takes guts! Call if I can help. Craig Callaway
Awesome, Kevin! I’m excited to see what God has in store for you in this new chapter He’s writing in your life!
Kevin,
Welcome and thank you for saying yes! As one of Regi’s alumns, I’m glad the torch has been passed to someone who feels called.
Best,
Jeff
Thanks Jeff. I could not be more excited about partnering with Regi in this amazing ministry. As you know – it’s a life changer.
Kevin – thanks for being willing to step up to a call that will impact so many lives. God bless and best of success in this season.
Welcome Kevin.
Welcome aboard, Kevin. We are glad to have you!
All the best Kevin!
Blessings from Canada! Love the blogs and the book!
Had the privilege of meeting Reggie in February.
Bron