Mentors, Peers & Protégés

For my first ever blog entry I have been considering the people that have impacted and are impacting my life as well as those that I, prayerfully, have impacted.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:2, ‘And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.’ His words reminded of what someone once said about the three types of relationships in life: mentors, peers and protégés.

There have been incredible mentors in my life, starting with (pastors) such as my dad and my grandfather.  I have been blessed to have men of God who are college presidents speak into my life, men like Robert Spence (Evangel University), Don Argue, Gordon Anderson and Don Meyer. A more recent mentor is Jim Cymbala, pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle. College profs come to mind as well: Stanley Horton and James Allen…men who taught me to rightly divide the Word of God.

Brad with Dr. Stanley Horton

As for peers, certainly a primary one is my wife Rhonda, who sharpens me every day and is gift from the Lord. I am grateful for fellow pastors—peers who I am blessed to have in my life—such as Nate Elarton, John Lindell, Tom March, Jeff Bonzelaar, Tim Dilena, Jamie Kjos, Steve Miller and Paul Grabill. They are iron who sharpen my iron and hopefully vice versa!

I think of protégés that the Lord has entrusted to my life for particular seasons, such as Curt and Christy Demoff who served on staff at Brighton A/G before we launched them to Clarkston where they pastor a great church, Bridgewood Church. Darin and Wendy Loruss served faithfully as our nursery directors for years, then came on staff as children’s pastors for 7 years and then were launched to revitalize Mason A/G.

In all these relationships, Solomon’s words in Proverbs 11:25 apply: ‘…he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.’ My life has been refreshed by mentors, peers and protégés and I pray that I will refresh others for all the coming days the Lord grants.