When it comes to rewarding experiences in ministry, few can top the mentoring relationships I have with 11 Foursquare leaders (eight men and three women) under the age of 35.
This mentoring is largely done via Zoom and is in addition to directing a team of 250 leaders around the world as global education coordinator for the Foursquare Global Council. While my primary responsibility of leading Foursquare’s Discipleship and Leadership Training (DLT) endeavor keeps me busy, mentoring offers one of the best rewards.
One example of its value is my relationship with Giancarlo Agnoletto, a third-generation Foursquare pastor from Brazil. We met in 2021 when Giancarlo was a 23-year-old law school student studying in Lisbon, Portugal.
He was Portugal’s Foursquare DLT “champion”—the term we use for Foursquare leaders who champion DLT in their nation. DLT (in its ninth year) is Foursquare’s global endeavor. We established it to help Foursquare strategically disciple Christ-followers and holistically train leaders, using the Bible and learning modules DLT developed.
The first trait I noticed about Giancarlo: his skill as a perceptive, critical thinker. He also possessed zeal and is a great communicator. These are some of the reasons Portugal’s national Foursquare leader, Waldir Batista, had appointed him Portugal’s DLT champion at such a young age.
As we interacted, the thought crossed my mind: “This is someone I can mentor while using my clout to empower him.” I have observed that older leaders often mentor younger leaders but don’t empower them and release them to leadership ministry. I wanted to do both.
It thrills me to see young leaders used by the Holy Spirit. I love their passion, their zeal, and even their occasional recklessness. To see them in action is thrilling for me.
So, when the Foursquare Netherlands 2023 National Convention invited me to be their plenary speaker, I told them I would come if they allowed me to give 50 percent of my platform time to Giancarlo. We tag-teamed for two days, speaking to 150 Dutch leaders about discipleship and mentoring.
A month later, Giancarlo led an afternoon workshop at the European Foursquare Convention while I attended and observed. In January 2024, I did a day-long DLT training in Lisbon, and Giancarlo assisted me. We will team up again in April 2025 for DLT training in East Africa.
My relationship with Giancarlo is replicated with the other young adults with whom I meet regularly. It thrills me to see young leaders used by the Holy Spirit. I love their passion, their zeal, and even their occasional recklessness. To see them in action is thrilling for me.
So is “reverse mentoring,” whereby they “mentor” me by speaking into my life, as well. Reverse mentoring demonstrates a key quality of biblical mentoring: this is life-on-life and reciprocal, not a professional, teacher-and-student exchange. Paul and Timothy co-wrote Philemon; Paul referenced Timothy as his “beloved son” (2 Tim. 1:2, NKJV). I love it when those I mentor call me “Gramps.”
I would also encourage older leaders to follow the Jesus and Paul models by being the initiators rather than the responders of mentoring relationships. Leaders often get asked to mentor, but may sense the person asking isn’t the right one. That’s why I suggest leaders approach potential mentees based on what you see in them and what the Lord is saying to you about select individuals.
Finally, mentoring gives me the sense that I somehow get to leave a small legacy through my mentees, which is very rewarding. It ensures that my work will live on—and, most important, the Lord’s.
Gary Matsdorf, global education coordinator for the Foursquare Global Council, is a former college professor and pastor with more than 45 years of ministry experience. He had assistance preparing this article with Ken Walker, a longtime Foursquare contributor.
