Mentoring as Mission

By Cara Lynn Vogel

In August 2024, Caring Connections CWJC in Raleigh hosted a spiritual event entitled, You Belong. Twenty-three ministry participants gathered for a day to step away from the stresses of the world and deepen their walk with the Lord. The day included inspiring speakers, worship music, testimony sharing from volunteers, a catered lunch and childcare along with a personalized tote bag that included a study Bible, devotional, Christian coloring book, journal, and spiritual tools to foster faith development after the event.

The women said it was comforting to hear stories of hardship like their own and stories of hope and overcoming (from one another and our volunteers).

After the event, a new volunteer named A who reluctantly shared her testimony of fleeing abuse earlier in her life said, “I have been longing for a place where women are real and genuine. I found it here today. This event was full of peace and joy. I felt the Holy Spirit’s presence all day and went to church Sunday and told my class about the event and that we need to use this approach at our church.”

Before the event A had been hesitant to mentor; lacking confidence that she had anything to offer. During the event lunch, she sat with a woman named T who the site coordinator, Cynthia Thelen, had in mind for A to mentor, but neither of them knew this. They exchanged numbers and T met A at church the next week.

When Cynthia learned this, she told A that T was the woman she had hoped A would mentor when they first discussed mentoring. Recognizing how God had been at work, A committed to mentoring and these two women have developed a beautiful relationship.

Cynthia shared, “I love how this ministry is designed to serve women in crisis but also serves our volunteers, showing them that God will pursue and equip them to carry out His mission through their own life experiences, gifts and talents if they will say yes.”