A Caring Guide, A Wise Advisor, A Trusted Friend, A Partner on the Journey

Mentoring ex-offenders is a unique calling that requires patience, discernment and a heart for hurting men. Corner Men Ministries recruits and trains men to journey with ex-offenders as they learn to become the men God called them to be.

WHAT IS MENTORING?

"Mentoring is a relational experience in which one person empower's another by sharing God-given resources" (Connecting, Paul Stanley and J. Robert Clinton). Mentoring can also be described as the process of developing a person to his maximum potential in Christ Jesus.

Mentoring is making the mentor's personal strengths, resources, and networks available to help a mentoree reach his goals. The resources shared in a mentoring partnership could include:

• Wisdom and discernment
• Life experience
• Timely advice
• Skills and principles

Mentoring is also not a "one-size" fits all partnership.

Discipler - A more experienced Christ follower who imparts to a new or newer believer the knowledge and skills to grow in Christ

Spiritual Guide - A mature Christ follower who shares knowkedge and skills related to greater spirituality.

Coach - This mentor knows how to do something well and and can communicate the skill.

Counselor - Provides counsel and advice at crucial times such as decision making and transition.

Teacher - Provides knowledge and the ability to communicate that knowledge.

PAUL AND BARNABAS

Barnabas serves as a major mentoring example in scripture. As you know, Barnabas never wrote scripture like Paul or Luke, but neither could have made their impact without him.

In Acts 9:27 Barnabas championed Paul's cause with the Apostles at Jerusalem. A mentor has the insight to see potential in a leader even though the person may have had a bad reputation or abrasive personality traits. A mentor is somebody willing to take a risk like Barnabas did for Paul.

Where would we be without Barnabas? Where will ex-offenders and their families be without modern day risk-takers?

To learn more about mentoring ex-offenders email us at info@CornerMen.Org.