Women’s Mentor
We recently chatted with Women’s Mentor, Jennifer Thompson, about her experience as a Women’s Mentor.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
This beloved passage of scripture is the heartbeat behind our mentoring program at The Foundry. For many years, men and women from the surrounding areas have devoted time out of their lives to pour into those in our Recovery programs.
You’ve been a mentor for about 8 years. What has kept you coming back year after year?
Mostly the joy of loving on these ladies, but also knowing that God has put women’s ministry on my heart and has given me a passion for it!
Many people are hesitant to mentor because they feel they can’t commit the time. You’re a wife, mother, and career woman. How have you been able to carve out the time on a consistent basis?
It is hard; I am super busy with my business, my family, and my home. However, if you don’t force yourself to make time to serve others, you are constantly spinning your wheels and missing out on tremendous blessings! Some days I am just too tired or too stressed to go to dinner with my mentee. Life is busy and sometimes I am tempted to reschedule our date. However, I never cancel because of “my agenda and busyness” and it always ends with such joy in my heart from spending time with these ladies!
What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned during this journey?
An amazing, but hard, lesson I have learned during these 8 years is that it is not my job to make sure these ladies find Jesus for salvation. I am only there to love on them, show them Jesus the best way I can, and to plant seeds that He will water. The first time I had a girl leave without finishing the program, I was crushed! I felt like I had failed in some way. Tawana, our Women’s Program Director, quickly reminded me that her leaving had nothing to do with me. I am only there to be a Christ-loving friend to them and to let them know what it looks like to live a life that does not revolve around addiction.
If someone is considering mentoring, what would you say to encourage them?
If you are a good listener and love the Lord, you should absolutely do this! It is such a blessing to get to know these ladies and their hearts. It is the most rewarding and humbling ministry I have ever participated in.
Is there any other information you want to share with those considering mentoring?
There are things from my past that were hurtful or painful, but God has shown me that those things are used now for beautiful ministry to these ladies at The Foundry. I am able to share a little bit of my story with them so that they can see that we can relate to one another. I believe that maybe the reason God has put women’s ministry on my heart so heavily and shown me time and time again that Beauty can come from Ashes!
We are incredibly grateful for Jennifer and all of our mentors who selflessly give part of their lives to serve those in need of love, compassion, and a listening ear.
Interested in becoming a mentor in our Men or Women’s Recovery program? Contact us at volunteers@foundryministries.com to learn how!
