Power to Change » mentoring

Sharing Your Faith Online

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:42:03 +0000

April 29^th is Internet Evangelism Day – a day to focus on the myriad of ways you can share your faith online. Whether you’re a Facebook fiend, a prolific blogger or just love to pin things on Pinterest, you can use the skills you already have, in the places you already frequent, to share the Gospel.

In addition to the day of focus, the Internet Evangelism Day website is also a year-round online resource guide to help Christians understand these varied opportunities. Topics covered include: how to build a church website that is ‘outsider friendly’, using Facebook and Twitter in evangelism, and the growing options for using your mobile phone.

For many of these opportunities, you need no technical knowledge at all. And there are many opportunities to volunteer to be an email mentor to inquirers who have visited outreach sites operated by several online ministries.

A changed world

The digital world has changed remarkably in the last year or two. Although a part of Internet Evangelism Day’s emphasis has always been to mobilize individual Christians into digital evangelism, until recently the options we could suggest were quite limited. Writers might be drawn to blogging, or create a website if they felt technically competent. Those good at thinking on their feet could share in chat rooms and bulletin boards. But most of these suggestions were time-intensive and intentional initiatives only suitable for a small minority.

What has changed? The emergence of the ‘three-fold cord’ of social networking allied to video shorts and mobile phones. At last it has become remarkably easy for any Jesus-follower to build relationships and discuss truth appropriately, especially within social networking platforms. Our digital communication culture has become highly visual and dialogue-based, and the sharing of conversation-starting video shorts on Facebook and Twitter is as easy as a mouse-click, though only if we know where to find them. http://ieday.net/video

Phone apps

There are now a few smartphone apps that are genuinely aimed at outsiders, that can be shared one-to-one, or in a small discussion group. UK team Damaris has just released a strategic iPhone app called Talking About Jesus (Android version coming soon). http://ieday.net/blog/archives/7187

A second new evangelism-related web app is called God’s GPS. Its purpose is to equip Christians to share faith appropriately and conversationally. It is not intended for non-yet-followers to download or look at: http://ieday.net/blog/archives/7677

Curation

Pinterest.com allows anyone to create a very visual set of curated recommendations, within their own chosen areas of interest, with no tech knowledge needed. http://ieday.net/blog/archives/6977

Books

Several evangelism/communication ebooks will be available for free download on IE Day, plus there is a chance to win others. See http://ieday.net/eb for a full list and complete details.

Get involved

There are even more ways to get involved right here on powertochange.com. You can join us in chat anytime. Scheduled chats happen every day and the chatroom is often open for free discussion between these times. If you like to talk, come join the discussion in chat! http://powertochange.com/discover/chat/

Mentors are a vital part of the ministry here at powertochange.com. Mentors answer questions based on their own experience and faith journey. If you’ve been married for a few years you could mentor a newly wed. If you’ve dealt with an eating disorder, or had a child who cuts or have been through financial stress you can answer questions from others who are going through those situations right now. We also need prayer mentors to pray for the many requests that are sent in to the site. You can learn more and apply to be a mentor here http://truthmedia.com/training/mentoring/ .

We are more connected today than ever before, which makes sharing the greatest story of all easier than ever. Take a look at where you spend your time online and see how you can bring God into the conversations you’re already having. How will you share your story today?

Getting Over the Holiday Blues

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:45:43 +0000

Need to talk? Power to Change offers a free mentoring program where you can talk privately with a trained mentor.

This is supposed to be a season of joy and happiness, but many people don’t feel it. Many people suffer from bouts of depression or the blues at different times during the year. During the holiday season people encounter memories of loved ones they have lost through death or divorce or friends who have moved away. People experience stress and difficult family reunions over the holidays. Depression is a growing problem. In fact, psychologists have said that we live in an “age of depression”.

There are many causes for this mood disorder. Reasons for depression range from grief, divorce, major changes, lack of sunlight or physical exercise, a general disappointment with life or friends, low self-worth, relationship, spiritual or anger problems, false beliefs about life and God, trauma from the past, deficiency of neurological chemicals and more.

What are some of the symptoms of depression? Check to see if you have been experiencing any of these symptoms:

Loss of appetite. Weight gain or loss.
Depressed affect. Children & Adolescents: cranky, irritable, angry/explosive outbursts.
Diminished interest in or enjoyment of activities.
Psychomotor agitation or retardation.
Sleeplessness or hypersomnia.
Lack of energy.
Poor concentration and indecisiveness.
Social withdrawal.
Suicidal thoughts and/or gestures.
Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt.
Low self-esteem.
Unresolved grief issues.
Hallucinations or delusions.

If you have 3 or more of the above symptoms which have lasted for over 2 weeks, you should seek medical help or professional counseling. You can find a counselor or go to the nearest mental health center.If you are suicidal please contact 911 (in the USA or Canada) or go to a hospital emergency room.

How do you move beyond depression?

Usually people who are feeling depressed are not doing what would help them feel better.

Talking about your feelings with someone is very beneficial. Exploring with someone, especially a counselor, what is underlying your feelings can help you begin to problem-solve.
Seeing your doctor for a physical exam and telling him/her about your depression can lead to further treatment for physiological causes. You may need to consider taking an anti-depressant.
Regular exercise and proper diet, spending time with family and friends and reaching out to others is very helpful. Seeking a relationship with God and praying to Him brings hope and encouragement when you are feeling down-hearted.

If you or someone you know are trying these activities and still stuck in depression, it is wise to seek out professional Christian counseling.

Is there a spiritual dimension to depression?

Is there a spiritual dimension to depression that gets overlooked when we rush into taking medication? In other words, in our effort to “hurry up and feel good” do we possibly miss out on important lessons that God might be wanting to teach us? There most certainly is always a spiritual dimension to depression. In the book of Psalms in the Bible, David, one of the Kings of Israel wrote:

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Most people who walk in my office feeling depressed are spiritually hungry. Many have a general sense of distance from or disappointment with God. They struggle with periods of doubt about God’s love for them and begin to question whether He will help them through their problems. Some people express anger towards God wondering, “how a good God can allow suffering?”. Or they question whether God exists. This spiritual vacuum can actually be the basis for some of the hopelessness and despair they feel.

Depression is a complex disorder.

Since human beings are very complex it is necessary to address all the underlying causes of depression such as: low self-esteem, losses, physical pain, relationship or financial issues, guilt, shame, trauma, dysfunctional family issues, along with the spiritual and physiological reasons.

Medication can give people more motivation and energy to get through a depressive period in their life but it will not be a cure-all for depression. One must take steps to fight depression on all fronts: spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally and relationally.

The great news for this holiday season and throughout the year is that God does exist and whether you realize it right now or not, he loves you very much. You are not in this alone. If you are looking for someone you can place your trust in, a foundation to build upon, you can find that safe place whether you’re in a relationship right now or not. Place your trust in God and his promises. Anchor your life to the hope that he brings.

He is the well deep enough to draw from when you need peace, hope and wisdom, insight and love, endurance and faith. He gave His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for all our sins. Everyone feels unworthy sometimes, but God thinks you’re worth it—even worth the death of His Son.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desires of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus will come into your life, and forgive you of your sins forever, just as he promised.

Tell the Next Generation

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:00:02 +0000

Make a difference in a kid’s life – Become a mentor.

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Psalms 78:1-4

Do you have the impression that the next generation is not interested in hearing about the things of the Lord? We sometimes feel the divide is so great that we simply stay in our familiar circles far removed from theirs. Sometimes our own judgments even keep us from seeing past the earrings and tattoos. Yet there is a deep growing hunger in our youth for spiritual understanding and they are seeking answers that we, who have walked with the Lord and have experienced His faithfulness, have to offer.

Would it surprise you if you drove past your church this week and found over 500 young people lined up to ask a Christian mentor questions about life and faith?

That is exactly what is happening here at TruthMedia. It’s amazing! God is at work! A ministry from the US – DMLive – has partnered with us to help teens. Our mentor center receives thousands of emails every month from teens wanting to talk with someone about the challenges of their lives. Watch DMLive’s Dawson McAllister talk about his experience with The Mentor Center and mentoring teens.

Would you consider being a mentor to teens? We offer training and resources to help you. If you receive an inquiry you don’t feel equipped to respond to you can return it to the pool and receive another so you only deal with ones you are comfortable with. You can sign up for just one a month, one a week or one a day, whatever works into your schedule.

Look around you today and watch for the teens in your circle of influence. Pray for them as you pass them on the street. Share your own story with a grandchild. Ask God for creative ways to tell the next generation of His faithfulness to you. And please investigate the possibility of becoming a teen mentor. These kids are sitting down at their computers and seeking answers that their hearts yearn for.

Your faith in Jesus and your stories of His faithfulness to you are just the things that will inspire this next generation to look to God as well. Won’t you consider being a teen mentor today?

Father God,
Thank you that Your Spirit never ceases to draw hearts to You. Help me today to see the teens in my circle with new eyes. Help me to see the hungry hearts behind the fashion statements and to pray for those I encounter each day. Open opportunities for me to share Your faithfulness in fresh ways. If You desire for me to be a teen mentor online please don’t let the thought leave me and help me to respond. Lord, I want to share Your praiseworthy deeds with the next generation in whatever way You open for me today. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Please check out the Mentor Application today.

Questions: How do you view the next generation? Are you willing to let God use you today to reach out to a teen in your world or online?

Become a Mentor

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:00:36 +0000

What if you could be part of a growing ministry that helped literally thousands of people in the last year? The Mentor Center creates a safe environment where people with questions are matched with Christians who can answer them with the hope of Christ.

No special computer skills are required – if you can send an email you can be a mentor. Mentors choose the topics they feel comfortable talking about and work at their own pace. All of the training happens online so you can mentor anywhere you have an internet connection.

In 2010, over 50,000 emails passed through The Mentor Center. That’s about one email received every 10 minutes. You can help by becoming an online mentor. Check out the video above to learn how it works, and then apply and get started today!

Worried About What Others Think

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:04:48 +0000

I’m a classic first born child. I like things in a certain order, I am capable and reliable. People count on me to plan events and lead the team. But I flip flop between feeling confident in my abilities and getting overwhelmed at the expectations people have of me. I worry about every decision. It’s an incredible stress to live like this. How can I stop caring what others think?

Reaching the Unreachable

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:21:47 +0000

On a recent trip to Morocco, Lynnette was struck by how devout the people were. Five times a day she would hear the call to prayer that is just a regular part of life for the people there. She wondered how she could ever share Christ in an environment like that, but she has seen, first hand, that through online mentoring, it can be done.

Mentoring Athletes

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:06:30 +0000

How can we help students have a better understanding of how their faith in Christ impacts and informs their athletic lives, their classes, and their view of the world? There is a need for more people like Paul who are willing to take a step of faith and help other athletes develop their spiritual intellects and show them how they can exercise their spiritual calling. Can you take a step of faith to explore how your skills and talents could be used?

Related
Athletes in Action (AIA) can help you develop your potential and maximize your mental, physical and spiritual life

Making Connections

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:26:32 +0000

What is the fruit from making a connection with someone? A new friendship? A spiritual conversation? When you are able to connect with someone through their needs there endless possibilities of making a difference in their lives. You just need to be open to the connection. Have you made a connection with someone lately?

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Become a mentor

Surprise Ending

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:15:33 +0000

When Dave walked into his local video store he was expecting to pick up a movie, he didn’t expect to be handed a ministry opportunity. But when the owner of the store handed him a phone number and asked if he would call this lady who’s 14 year old had just committed suicide Dave knew he couldn’t just walk away. Do the people in your neighborhood know that you know Jesus? When they do there are faith adventures right in your own backyard.

Related:
Want To Get Involved?

Do You Influence Non-Christians?

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:11:57 +0000

Is your circle of influence all Christians? Marilyn’s group of friends were all Christians and she worked with them too, so when she signed up to be a mentor with Christian Women Today, a whole new world opened up for her. Now Marilyn is making a impact on the world with the message of Jesus Christ through her computer. Do you want to make an impact for Jesus in the comfort of your home?

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Become a Mentor