Christian Union America's Mentoring Program Launches Alumni Well
By christine foster
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
For many Christians, the most challenging phase of life begins the moment they graduate from college. Robust discipleship, through which many students grew strong in college, suddenly disappears. The members of their Bible Course group scatter across the country and around the world. Young graduates suddenly find themselves in a new city, with a demanding job, and no home church. Christian Union’s Alumni Mentoring Program aims to smooth this time, by equipping these graduates with some support. The intention is to see these new alumni continue to network with other faithful people and grow into the full Christian leaders God intends for them to be.
The vision for the mentoring program is for each and every willing Christian Union graduate to be paired with an older alumnus or with a friend of the ministry for this important time. The annual program begins with an introduction of mentoring partners in June. Then, the newest graduates meet at least once a month with their mentor for the next ten months. Encouraged by monthly emails and twice a year online gatherings, the mentor guides the new graduate through topics such as finding a new church, making Christian friends, setting and achieving professional and spiritual goals, being good financial stewards, and practicing ways to stay close to God.
Each pair works a bit differently. Some mostly talk. Many others choose to meet more than once a month. Some read Scripture together or work their way through a devotional. One pair memorized the book of James together.
A recent graduate said, “My mentor and I have connected and been in continuous contact and it has been SO sweet! She is amazing and the pairing definitely feels God-ordained. It has already been such a blessing to have her mentorship. Thank you so much for setting everything up.”
Another 2023 graduate said, “My mentor and I had a fantastic call -- it's so encouraging that there is an older figure who has had such a similar career path and professional interests as myself to walk with! We connected over our journeys [in college and Christian Union] and being in a long-distance relationship. We're also planning to meet up once I'm in the area!”
This program, which began in 2019 with just 18 participants, paired 110 people together this year. The goal is to match new graduates with mentors based on similarities in vocation, geographic location, and interests. Some of the pairs are alumni who are just a year apart in age, another pairing the mentor and mentee are nearly 60 years apart. Regardless of the “personality” of the pairing, both mentors and mentees have been blessed by God through their willingness to connect.
Is God calling you to join this program? If you are a recent graduate looking for a mentor, please click here. If you are a CU alumnus or friend of the ministry and wish to be a mentor, please click here or email Christine.Foster@ChristianUnion.org for more information.
