Mentoring Youth

Interview with Bill Warner, Aurora Christian School

Several months ago, I reconnected with an old friend, Bill Warner, who agreed to record a conversation to introduce the idea of intentional mentoring to our friends and supporters.

I like being 66 years old. Not only does my body work well (for now), but I enjoy the diminished interest in self-importance and heightened care for others this age has given me. This combination has given me a deep love for people earlier on the journey, including a desire to provide acceptance and careful counsel to those tripped up by potholes or stuck in the mire of a path wrongly taken. And there are some excellent senior discounts. 

A granddaughter (another senior blessing) just turned 6, perhaps the ideal childhood age of wonder and innocence, as A. A. Milne showed us. Oh, that we could keep that forever and ever! Very sadly, within a few short years, our fascination with discovery is flooded by the insecurity of the teens, the uncertainty of the twenties, and beyond. We learn that we’re not so “clever as clever” through both our failures and others’ thoughtless words. 

Of course, we must learn to navigate the realities of a cold, cruel world. When we do so with others who see us, understand us, and know when and how to either give a hand or tell us to stop complaining, the wonder of childhood can transition into a mature life of worship. Such connection is everything. Whether in finding personal significance, healing from childhood hurts, choosing a spouse or career, or the many challenges that come from our roles in family, work, and elsewhere, no one can go it alone. But often, we are alone, even when surrounded by well-meaning friends and family. We may not know how to share our difficulty, don’t want to bother anyone, or the idea of asking for support doesn’t even occur. Meanwhile, those around us are in the same boat. 

This reality troubles me greatly—especially since it happens so often in the body of Christ, where significant connection is the expected norm. I hope I’m not being too strong to put it this way, but many Christians are far better at talking than actually connecting. How many churchgoers know how to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24) in ways that benefit rather than hurt with unwanted advice?

This apparent deficiency of skill points to a dichotomy: Judy and I know many wonderfully kind, humble, and mature believers. At the same time, we see today’s youth and young adults challenged in ways that no one knows how to address. Might there be a way to put the two together? Can baby boomers find better ways to share our journey towards love for God with Millennials and Z’ers?

Decades of working with hurting, vulnerable people in both the U.S. and Thailand have taught me a few things. I would never say I’m an expert, but it is my top priority to continue learning, and I yearn for others to join me in it. And while I’ve become very comfortable initiating mentoring relationships in Thailand, factors in American culture make it more difficult. 

Several months ago, I reconnected with an old friend, Bill Warner, who now teaches the Bible at a nearby Christian high school. Addy was in town from Thailand and was looking for models/examples of education, so we arranged a visit. Not to my surprise, we found Bill eager to share his love for students and his desire to find any possible avenue to help someone grow. I thought it would be fun to record a conversation to introduce the idea of intentional mentoring to our friends and supporters. 

If you have time to listen and send feedback, we would be most grateful.

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