How Howard Hendricks Taught Me the Importance of Mentorship

Dr. Howard Hendricks was a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and a sought-after speaker and author. He was also one of the founders of the Christian Education movement.

I had always known of mentorship but did not fully understand the importance of it. But, after two years of researching and writing on the topic, I am convinced that everyone needs a mentor. In fact, by not having one as a Christ follower, I believe you are missing out on what God may have in store for you.

Jesus calls out his twelve disciples in John 1:35-51, and although discipleship and mentorship are different, there are some shared key components.

For example, as with discipleship, mentors should always be calling out the best in their mentees. When I think about Hendricks' life, I realize that is what he did best.

During a conversation, Bible teacher and Radio host Chip Ingram shared that when he was a newly married, young student and new believer, Hendricks consistently took the time to hear him out and highlight the best of him. Hendricks models that anyone can be a mentor if they have the time and are willing to pour into someone else's life. Hendricks made himself available to the countless students that crossed his path. Another trait that good mentors have is putting themselves second in the mentor-mentee relationship.

"Hendricks could have been a household name, but he decided to invest in students instead," Andy Stanley said of the Bible teacher.

I agree with Stanley. Hendricks could have become a household name, but as Stanley went on to say, investing in and mentoring students was more important to Hendricks than notoriety.

True mentors make sure that their mentees understand that God's calling on their lives is to pour into their mentees.

When I think of who my own mentor is, Bernell Hunter comes to mind. Hunter isn't as widely known as Hendricks. Like many of the best mentors, he is a normal person living for God.

When I met Hunter as a fifth grader, he was cutting his grass. As a kid who grew up in a single-parent household, Hunter served as my first example of a Godly man who lived out his calling and seemed to love his family. Although I didn't have the right vocabulary to form the words, I knew that by spending time with Bernell, I was learning about the future I wanted.

Just as Jesus called out his twelve disciples, he also gave them a glimpse of what they could get from the three-year commitment to following Him.

"Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the son of man," Jesus said in John 1:51.

When I reflect on why so many influential leaders revered Hendricks as a mentor, it's clear to me that what drew them to Hendricks was his deep-abiding faith and love for Jesus.

Hendricks's influence cut across racial and political lines. Just think about it for a minute, Hendricks was the mentor to Robert Jeffress, David Jeremiah, Tony Evans, Andy Stanley and Jennie Allen.

Hendricks' life is an illustration of what good mentors do. They look beyond what the world sees as important, such as race and political issues, and they see the person God has given them.

Learn more about Howard Hendrick in Maina's new book, The Influential Mentor: How the Life and Legacy of Howard Hendricks Equipped and Inspired a Generation of Leaders.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Christian Headlines.

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Gigitalskillet 

MAINA MWAURA is a freelance writer and journalist who has interviewed over 800 influential leaders, including two US Presidents, three Vice-Presidents, and a variety of others. Maina, is also the author of the Influential Mentor, How the life and legacy of Howard Hendricks Equipped and Inspired a Generation of Leaders. Maina and his family reside in the Kennesaw, Georgia area.