“They shall be ministers in
My sanctuary; as gatekeepers of the house...
And it shall be,
whenever they enter the gates of the inner court,
that they shall put on linen garments.
And they shall teach my people
The difference between the holy and the unholy.”
Ezekiel 44:11, 17, 23 NKJV
As a mentor, I am aware of a new movement and spiritual awakening across our nation. God is calling forth mature godly, seasoned women of God to come forward in the body of Christ. This movement needs to start within the walls of the churches, but then flow outside the walls of the church into our communities, neighborhoods and homes.
In response to the cry of hurting, hungry, searching women, of all ages, from youth to adult, we, as women of influence, need to take our positions as spiritual Deborah’s, seasoned women who will do the work. Titus 2 women understand the scriptural calling to invest the principles of God into others through mentoring. To me this is a commandment and commission for such a time as this.
God is calling “Arise Kingdom Women!" God is calling us forth, Kingdom women of wisdom and virtue to speak lovingly and powerfully into other women’s lives, encouraging, imparting and propelling them to their next level of anointing. All women are called and equipped to do God’s work!
Aspire Ministries’ Commission is Isaiah 61.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me.
Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.
To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn.
To console those who mourn in Zion;
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of Praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Younger women in the faith desire to have mentor-encouragers; a woman of wisdom speaking powerfully into their lives. One may say, I don’t know how to be a mentor. Or I am not qualified to be a mentor. We are all called to be encouragers on different levels. We are all called by God to invest our lives in helping to further the Kingdom of God.
And we need to rise up to a new evangelistic healing movement because the old way is no longer working as well. We need to go into the highways, the byways, bringing the joy of the Lord into the marketplace, and winning the lost to Christ. Jesus’ coming is imminent. God said in the latter days He will pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh and the world will see greater signs, miracles and wonders than ever before. The time is urgent. The time is now. Where are the people of passion? Where are those with “ A Jesus Heart?” God is calling women forth to answer this call. Precious women will you answer God’s call on your lives?
Because of the busy life style in today’s very modernistic world, not only have we closed the doors to our homes, but to our hearts. Where once we walked freely and were welcomed into one another’s homes, when we knew our next-door neighbors and were always willing to lend a helping hand, we are now caught up in a whirling dervish life style. Hospitality and the social graces are becoming a lost art. (Look for upcoming sessions soon on Social Graces, Hospitality and Basic and Business Etiquette, on our home site, www.aspireministries.com.)
Spiritual Mentoring and Mothering
Spiritual mentoring is “spiritual mothering” plain and simple. It is the act of the seasoned woman of God, Titus 2 Women, searching for their spiritual daughters. It is a godly command and duty to “raise up” the next generation in the faith. All mature Christian women should desire to mentor others, called “mentorees.”
Mentoring is:
There are many ingredients to mentoring. The first and foremost desire is to pray for this “mentoree”...to under-gird her in prayer. Mentoring is a selfless giving act. Mentors desire to impart into mentorees the necessary things to cause mentorees to grow, to be healed, to receive the call of God on their lives, to be reconcilers, to rejoice with others in the body of Christ, and to be vessels of love in the Christian arena. Therefore, as a mentor, one should be prepared to pour into others the lessons, scripture, prayer, time and information necessary for mentorees to mature in their faith. A mentor is a mother,advisor, teacher, role model and friend.
Inspiring someone in their Christian faith
Loving
Passing a mantle from one generation to the next
Being a prayer partner
Providing a prayer covering
Teaching
Discovering
Imparting
Gently warning
Providing gentle correction
Exhorting
Coaching
Blessing
Spotlighting their spiritual gifts
Making a place for a mentoree
Encouraging a mentoree for their next level anointing
Being a godly role model
Introducing mentorees to Christian role models
Giving wisdom and spiritual discernment
Being a healing vessel
Walking with mentorees through difficult times
I have mentored many young women for over thirty years. I look for women who are searching for more spiritually. Those that desire to grow and be encouraged in their Christian walk. I also look for sincerity of purpose. This kind of mentoring is not counseling, it is “encouraging.” It is one generation preparing the next generation to spiritually serve and lead.
The following Twelve Mentoring Traits are what you should look for in a Mentor.
1. Woman of faith
2. Woman of prayer
3. Woman of God’s Word
4. Woman of integrity
5. Woman of purpose and mission
6. Woman who serves others
7. Woman who seeks the Lord in her daily life
8. Woman who is under authority in her marriage and church
9. Woman who is called to Christian leadership and ministry
10. Woman who has humility and gratefulness in her heart
11. Woman who desires to promote and impart to others
12. Woman who possesses or seeks the Fruits of the Spirit
I look for areas to encourage, inspire and with God's help grow my spiritual daughters. I talk straight with them about being the right kind of wife, if married...loving, giving and encouraging. Many times I encourage the mentoree to get counseling in a certain area.
The greatest mentoring gift is the gift of love. In John 13:34, Jesus gave us a commandment.
“A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another as I have loved you.”
In John 13:35 Jesus also tells us that our love is the quality by which others will know that we are His disciples. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love for one another.” Love is explosive. It causes others to embrace Christianity more than anything else.
How do I find mentorees?
I pray and spiritually search for them. God spotlights them for me. Usually they are requiring wisdom or prayer. This time together leads to spiritual mentoring.
What is the proper mentoring protocol?
Either can suggest a mentoring relationship for a certain time period. One must remember that each mentor comes with a certain impartation for each mentoree. When this season has been fulfilled, the Lord sends a new mentor to equip the mentoree on to the next level. When a season ends, God will always send the next mentor.
How long is a mentored time?
Each relationship is different; some last a few years, others a few months. One thing is for sure; both parties will know when the impartation is completed.
How do I begin a mentoring relationship?
I pray continuously for the Lord to spotlight my “mentorees”, the spiritual daughters that He has for me to love and inspire. Then I invite them to my home for prayer and share time. I tell them that I am praying and seeking for new spiritual daughters to mentor.
I then call them forward. See and encourage the gifts within them. Encourage them to develop their gifts. Encourage them to activate their calling. Continue to be an encourager.
Actually Mentoring
What has worked for me is a bi-monthly meeting time, which eventually goes to a monthly meeting time of 2 hours in my home. (or their home) I do mentor many young women by email, cards and letters, and phone calls.
As an encouraging mentor one needs to do a lot of listening. Get to know them. Encourage them to tell you their story and dreams. I usually give them homework, starting them off with reading and meditating on God’s Word...the book of Isaiah, reading 2 chapters a night, in two or three different interpretations, especially The Living Bible or the Amplified Bible so they will more fully understand the meaning of the Scriptures. And I asked them to study Romans. Then James. I encourage them to start a prayer journal, where they dialogue with God. Many times mentorees are anxious to get into leadership of some kind. I encourage this...the more they give, the more they bless.
I encourage them to start intercessory prayer for others. To seek God’s presence each day and spend intimate time with Him. In His Word. Studying. Meditating. Listening to hear from God. I see mentorees growing as this refuels them. They become empowered by God’s Word, and through prayer and encouragement.
In her book, “Guardians of the Gate” Ann Platz has written a beautiful description of a mentor. “The ultimate mentor is a trusted counselor, guide, tutor, coach. She will be filled with so much wisdom, knowledge, truth and grace. A mentor is sent for a season to preside over your spiritual pilgrimage. She offers the greatest gift one person can offer another - an objective view of you, sprinkled with insight, humor, wisdom and love. Your mentor is usually older and wiser, a seasoned veteran of life, a warrior woman who knows God intimately and is willing and able to interpret His ways to you. Your relationship is a match made in heaven! She will encourage, uplift, advise and correct you gently. She will help unlock your spirit and stir up the gifts within you and stand guard as you begin to practice the presence of God...A mentoree is one who receives counsel, guidance, instruction and encouragement from a mentor.”
I recommend the following books by these Christian authors.
The Fourth Dimension of Faith- Pastor David Cho
Fresh Faith - Jim Cymbala
Pursuing The Will of God - Jack Hayford
Spiritual Leadership: Moving People to God’s Agenda - Henry & Richard Blackaby
Intercessory Prayer - Dutch Sheets
Guardians of the Gate - Ann Platz
Shattering Your Strongholds - Liberty Savard
How To Pray For Your Children - Quin Sherrer
Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ - Madam Jeanne Guyon
Experiencing God Through Prayer - Madam Jeanne Guyon
Prophetic Intercession - Barbara Wentroble
Joyce Meyer Books
Boundaries and Safe People- Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers
Lies Women Believe- Nancy Leigh DeMoss
A Woman’s Journey To the Heart of God - Cynthia Heald
8 Choices That Will Change A Woman’s Life - Jill Briscoe
Happiness Is A Choice - Frank Minirth & Paul Meier
Boundaries For Kids, The Mom Factor, Raising Great Kids - Dr. Henry Cloud & J. Townsend
The Marriage Builder - Dr. Larry Crabb
Absolute Surrender - Andrew Murray
The Hiding Place - Corrie ten Boom
Prayer Is Invading the Impossisble - Jack Hayford
Victory In Christ - Charles Trumbull
The Life of Faith - Mrs. C. Nuzum
Dr. Ron Phillips and his wife, Paulette Phillips Books
Reclaiming Your Dream - Ann Platz
The Best Is Yet To Come - Ann Platz (Written for men and women over age 50)
The God Chasers - Tommy Tenney
Spiritual Leadership: Moving People To God’s Agenda - Henry Blackaby
The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence
Anything - E. W. Kenyon
Between Heaven and Earth: Prayers and Reflections That Celebrate An Intimate God-Ken Gier
Can You Drink the Cup? Henri J M Nouwen
The Bait of Satan - John Bevere
Keep a Quiet Heart - Elizabeth Elliot
Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers
Prayers That Outwit The Enemy - Chuck Pierce
Spiritual Revolution- Patricia King
Books by Graham Cooke
Visioneering - Andy Stanley
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John C. Maxwell
Mentoring - How To Invest Your Life In Others - Tim Elmore
Beth Moore books
And the list of books I have read and recommend could go ON and ON!
IF YOU WOULD YOU LIKE TO HOST
A MENTORING SEMINAR/CONFERENCE IN YOUR CHURCH-
God has given me a mentoring vision for Aspire Ministries
and it is my prayer
to go into churches everywhere to hold
Women’s Conferences on
Mentoring Virtuous Women.
Aspire Ministries is excited to bring to you
a life changing, spiritually transforming seminar.
Teaching. Training.
Experiencing the Lord In A New Depth
Enrichment From God’s Word
Empowerment From God’s Holy Spirit
Equipping, Edifying, Encouraging and Inspiring
Imparting and Calling Forth Your Spiritual Gifts
Enabling You to Live In the Fullness of Christ
Walking In Newness of the Abundant Life
Effective and Effectual Prayer Life
“Kingdom Women Gatekeepers - Guardians of the Gate”
Conference or Seminar Topics
Women of Wisdom - Kingdom Authority and Next Level of Anointing
Women of Grace - Spiritual Protocol
Women of the Word - Spiritual Maturity
Women of Wholeness - Divine Health and Healing
Women of Balance - Establishing Boundaries God’s Way
Women of Prayer - Spiritual Power and Effective Intercessory Prayer
Women of Godly Influence - Sphere of Influence
Women of Impartation - Empowering and Mentoring Others
Women of Leadership- Church and Marketplace Ministry
Women of Ministry - Loving and Serving Others
Women of Encouragement - Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
Women With Confidence, Courage and Boldness
(There are many other topics we teach also.)
This conference’s purpose is
Helping to educate, edify, encourage, equip and empower women.
Lifting women up to the higher level God is calling them to reach.
Helping them on their spiritual journey.
Finding their purpose and divine destiny,
God has uniquely given to each of them individually!
Leading them into a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
Enabling them to do greater works and serve Him in love.
Inspiring them to “Aspire to be all that God created them to be”,
giving God all praise, honor, and glory!
If you would be interested in hosting a Mentoring Seminar in your church or a Seminar on another topic, please email me for more information at guardians@aspireministries.com.
Blessings and Grace On Your Journey,
Your Guardians,
Sandra Bontemps and Janis Smith
