Seven years ago, Lauren Weber asked Kimberly Vaughn to mentor her through Joy El’s Barnabas program. It was Kimberly’s first-time mentoring anyone, but she and Lauren not only developed a powerful relationship, but Kimberly discovered that mentoring is a significant part of her life and purpose. Kimberly now co-leads a mentoring program offered by a local women’s ministry.
“I learned a lot about mentoring and now encourage others to mentor as co-leader of the Together mentoring program at The Connection,” shares Kimberly. “There is so much joy in mentoring!”
The Connection’s mentoring program involves a six-month commitment for each mentoring pair. Interested participants attend an informational meeting and are prayerfully paired up by the leadership as God directs. The pairs meet in person every other week and make sure to stay in contact at least weekly. Kimberly and Donna VanWert provide training, resources, encouragement and guidance for these mentoring relationships along the way. Eighty women have participated in the program since it began at the end of 2017.
“The ladies who have been a part of our program say they are blessed,” Kimberly celebrates. “It doesn’t matter if they were a mentor or a mentee. Over and over again, women find support, joy, encouragement and love, and everyone grows in their walk with Jesus.”
Kimberly has continued to mentor women through the program even as she co-coordinates it. “Each of my mentoring relationships has been unique,” she explains. “I have mentored women my mom’s age. I have mentored young women. It’s not about age; it’s about spiritual maturity and walking this journey together. I’m not perfect, but I’m passionate about God’s Word, I have the gift of encouragement, and I have a willing spirit. Because of that, God has used me to bless these women with wisdom and words of life. But I feel just as blessed. I overflow with joy and fulfillment from these relationships.”
Kimberly And Bella Faces Of Spiritual Multiplication The Connection
One of Kimberly’s younger mentees is Bella Kauffman, who now serves on staff at Joy El. As part of their mentoring relationship, Kimberly asked Bella to co-lead a Bible study on anxiety—also through The Connection. “Co-leading a Bible study for other women gave us the opportunity to put into practice and live out many of the truths we were learning together through mentoring,” Bella describes. “Mentoring took on a new look during that time because as a team we were able to pour into others while still pouring into one another. Kim continued to encourage me, pray for me, speak wisdom into me, and teach me during the eight weeks when we were leading others. That time together to grow and be consistent in our Bible reading was invaluable to me in my fight against anxiety.”
Kimberly is not the only Barnabas mentor whose experience has led to multiplying the ministry. Many Barnabas mentors have taken their new or renewed interest in mentoring and discipleship back to their churches, youth groups or beyond. It is a joy to see God multiplying the work, which He clearly laid out for us in Scripture.
Although the date has not been finalized, the next informational meeting for The Connection’s Together mentoring program will be in the late spring or summer. Send interest or questions to [email protected].
