A group of senior adults from Glynwood Baptist Church in Prattville took the initiative, and minister to students Jonworth Locke worked out a plan. They wanted to connect with youth in the church for discipling and mentoring opportunities — and it’s working.
The initial “bridge event,” as Locke described it, was so popular he has now instituted it as a quarterly experience, and participation continues to grow each time he holds a “speed-mentoring” session.
Crediting the Holy Spirit for the idea, Locke said it was “a bolt out of the blue” after a group of senior adults “literally begged for opportunities to mentor the youth” after hearing about intergenerational discipleship. The presentation was made by Larry Hyche, director of men’s ministry at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, who recently completed his dissertation on the topic.
From there, the “speed-mentoring” concept surfaced, Locke said.
Similar to ‘speed-dating’ concept
“The senior adults were laughing and the students were completely engaged, off their phones for the whole two hours,” he said of the first event, noting he had a hard time getting them to wrap up after the session ended. They wanted to continue talking and visiting.
In the style of speed-dating, senior adults are stationed at tables which youth rotate between with prepared questions. They typically start with light icebreakers such as 90 seconds for “Your most embarrassing childhood moment?” and then allow more time for deeper topics.
“The goal of the event is not to build the relationship, but to give them the push to do it on their own,” Locke explained.
While it’s still too early to tell which students will schedule regular one-on-one time with which senior adults, Locke said he has noticed a difference on Sunday mornings.
The youth and senior adults are mingling more and even sitting beside each other in some cases, he noted.
Find out more
Locke would love to share the idea with other churches and has even written a process manual that he’s glad to share. Email him at locke@glynwoodbc.com to receive a copy of the manual.
Learn more about Hyche’s findings on intergenerational discipleship here and watch an interview about it on TAB Media Group’s YouTube channel here.
James Jackson serves as lead pastor of Glynwood Baptist Church. Follow his blog here.
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