Mentoring Ministry - Beraca Baptist Church

come join us

This ministry is designed to match children and youths with caring adults who will motivate, empower, and encourage them to sharpen their full God-given abilities and potentials to be positive decision-makers, successful and responsible young adults.

I. OUR MINISTRY GOAL

To assist young men and women in receiving support and guidance from a mentor.
To provide positive role model for youths in the church and community.
To create opportunities for children and youths to develop interest, skills and cultural awareness.
To increase opportunities for children and youths to build positive relationships with adults.

To reduce delinquent behavior in youths.
To provide volunteers with a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
To make a positive impact in children and youths lives spiritually, socially, emotionally, mentally and physically.

II. OUR ACTIVITIES

Supervisor, Mentor and Mentee Yearly Graduation
Reflection Gathering Event in December
Retreat
Games Night
Family Picnic/Beach, Hang out to go to
- shopping, restaurant, Museums, Library, Art & Craft Centers, Manicure/Pedicure
Bowling/Movie Night Out
Visit a park or zoo
Bicycling, Train or Ferry Ride, Hiking or Nature Walks
Playgrounds, parks or beaches
Fishing, Swimming
Basketball, Football, Tennis, Miniature golf
Go to the docks or fishing piers
Play video games
Visit animal shelters or pet stores
Garage or yard sales
Train or Ferry Ride, and many more

FREQUENCY OF SERVICE

We meet with a mentee 2-3 hours a week for a minimum of one year
Full participation’s is required.

LENGTH OF COMMITMENT

Beraca Godfriending Youth Mentoring Ministry (BGYMM) works with children and youths, ages 5 to 19, from Beraca Baptist Church and the community.
BGYMM seeks mature caring Christian adults ages of 21 or older who agree to make a one-year commitment to a child and a youth. We recruit, train, fingerprint and perform a thorough background check on all volunteer supervisors and mentors. The children and youths are referred to our ministry from local churches, schools, group homes, and other social service agencies. To participate in this ministry, the children, youths and their parents must express a desire to be mentored and willing to make a one-year commitment as well.
BGYMM matches the child or youth with a compatible mentor, who befriends them and guide them.

BEING A MENTOR IN THE MENTORING MINISTRY

REQUIRES THAT YOU

 meet with a mentee 2-3 hours a week for a minimum of one year
~ at the end of year, you and the child will graduate and you can recommit.
~ The most helpful mentor relationships last several years.

 be a minimum of 21 years of age or older

 be a Christian for a minimum of one year

 are a member of the Beraca Baptist Church or a member of Beraca affiliate Church and is in good standing

 must complete these following classes
~ 101- 401 held at Beraca Baptist Church

 must attend a new mentor three hours orientation/training

 must attend monthly face-to-face and phone conference meetings

 must attend yearly advance training

 complete the screening process

- Interview
- Four references
- Background check

MENTOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITY

Initiate the relationship by contacting your mentee to set up your first meeting to build rapport.
Arrange frequent contacts with your mentee through telephone and face-to-face.
Get to know your mentee. Try to really understand how things are for him or her now.
Be positive, patient, dependable, honest and sincere.
Be consistent, but flexible. Expect changes in plans.
Encourage, praise and compliment – even the smallest of accomplishments
Be an active listener. Use language that’s easy to understand.
Give concrete explanations.
Be straight, honest and sincere (people pick up on falseness and shallowness).
Ask for opinions and participation in decision-making.
Work with your mentee. Share your knowledge rather than giving advice.
Be enthusiastic – it’s contagious.
Stress the positive.
Be firm. Have your mentee assume responsibilities and hold him or her accountable.
Discuss and work together in goals setting
Identifies resources
Helps to develop leadership skills
Help your mentee use mistakes as learning experiences.
Be fair – they’ll notice if you’re not.
Help identify your mentee’s talents, strengths and assets.
Shares knowledge and life experiences
Tell your mentee about yourself, especially what you remember from your high school years.
Help them identify the significance for their own lives of the information you are discussing
- possible future profession, similar experiences, etc. – tell them how they can use the information.
Have activities planned in advance.
Take the initiative. A mentee who fails to call or attend must be pursued and the supervisor notified of the situation so that issues can be resolved and sessions can begin again, if applicable.
If you’re going to miss a mentoring session, call the mentee and leave a message for the mentee. It is important to let the mentee know you did not forget about your mentoring session.
Learn to appreciate your mentee’s cultural and ethnic background. Strive toward cultural reciprocity.
Be open to what your mentee can teach you or share with you.
Honor Your Commitment – This is extremely important! You’ll hear this over and over again!
HAVE FUN!