| How Do I Become Involved in Woman to Woman? First, you must attend an Orientation Coffee and Kickoff Night in order to be matched into a mentoring relationship. At the Orientation Coffee, you will be asked to fill out a Profile Card that tells the Prayer Team a little about you, your family, interests, hobbies, and your statement of faith. This information will be used by the prayer team to match you into a mentoring relationship. If you are unable to attend the Orientation Coffee, we ask that you wait until the next coffee is scheduled before becoming a part of the ministry. Next, you will be asked to attend Kickoff Night. Kickoff Night is usually held within one week after the Orientation Coffee. At this event, mentors and mentees will receive some initial training and there will be an opportunity for mentors and mentees to get to know one another, sign their covenants, and meet with their prayer warriors.
Why Mentoring? To give the women of Istrouma the opportunity to experience joy and growth in their Christian lives by participating in one-on-one supporting and encouraging mentoring relationships. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 12: We were gentle among you like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us…encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. Timothy writes in Titus 2:3-4 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children. Why should I participate in Woman to Woman? All women 18 years and up are invited to participate in Woman to Woman. Come and meet a new friend in a casual setting who will love you, support you, listen to you, cry with you, encourage you from someone “who’s been there” and basically just “do life” with you for a season, but hopefully will become a friend for a lifetime as well. What is Mentoring about? The definition of mentor is “wise and trusted counselor”. Mentoring means using the wisdom that comes from life’s experiences to help others who encounter similar experiences in their lives. Christian mentors share how God guides and supports, counsels and consoles, in both good and bad times. Mentoring requires no special talent or God-given ability. All God asks for is for us to take seriously the task of nurturing and building up other women. Mentoring is being available and willing to share in another woman’s life. We want to provide a safe environment where women can encourage one another, cry with one another, pray with one another, love one another, and challenge one another through a one on one mentoring relationship. How are you matched into a mentoring relationship? Titus 2 talks about the older women teaching the younger women. That does not necessarily mean chronological age, but also refers to spiritual maturity as well. We will match women into one on one relationships based on information from a profile sheet you will fill out. For MENTORS: Our desire is to match you with a mentee who is spiritually younger and is walking a similar path that you have walked in the past. We want you to be able to encourage your mentee in their walk with the Lord from someone who has “been there”. For MENTEES: Our desire is to have you matched with a mentor who has had a similar life experience in their past or present so your mentor can be an encouragement to you and be someone who has “been there” and can identify with your circumstances.
What is a Prayer Warrior? We need Prayer Warriors to pray for and encourage our Mentor/Mentee relationships. Prayer warriors are women with the gift and desire to intercede on behalf of each mentoring couple within the ministry. They serve as accountability partners and confidential friends. They witness the mentoring covenant signed by each of their ladies at Kick-Off Night. Each Prayer Warrior is assigned no more than three couples and are asked to call these women once a month and check on the progress of their relationships. Prayer Warriors must maintain the utmost confidentiality and encourage all of the women under their care as they complete their mentoring journey. How Long Does my Relationship Last? Many mentoring relationships last a lifetime – and that is how it should be. Woman to Woman asks that you make a commitment for six months and sign a covenant that you will complete your six month commitment. During this six months, Woman to Woman will provide support, prayer, training, equipping, and encouragement. Where Can I Find More Information About Woman to Woman? You may obtain more information by contacting Kristie Price at 673-5078 or womensministry@istrouma.org |