Maya Bradley is the BYM Administrator for Baptist Youth Ministries and a member of Royal Oak Baptist Church.
Let’s face it—many adults are afraid of teenagers. The fear of not knowing what to say, the worry about not being relevant, or the concern that they won’t connect. But what if we could reframe that fear? What if we saw young people not as a challenge, but as an invitation to build authentic, life changing relationships?
We were all teenagers once. If I remember anything about being a teenager, it was that there was so much change happening in and around me. There was a constant shift in my identity, in my relationships, and in the way I viewed the world. As a teenager, I longed for connection, for someone who would listen and understand the complexities of what I was going through. The truth is, teenagers don't need adults to be perfect—they need them to be present.
What if your church became a place where older generations intentionally invested in younger ones—not out of obligation, but out of a desire to build real, meaningful discipling relationships? Imagine a space where older folk stepped in, offering friendship, wisdom, and encouragement as they walked alongside young people in their faith journeys.
For generations, the church has thrived when believers, young and old, built strong, supportive relationships. Think of Paul and Timothy, Naomi and Ruth, and even Jesus and His disciples. Now, think about your own life—who has been there for you? Who has listened, supported, or simply shown up when you needed it most?
Baptist Youth Ministries believe that these discipling relationships are not just impactful—they’re transformative. That’s why we’ve created Journey Together, a practical resource to help churches overcome the fear and build real, intergenerational friendships that lead to spiritual growth.
Journey Together includes seven interactive activities that help mentors and mentees connect, share life, and engage in meaningful conversations. It equips mentors to confidently support young people as they navigate life’s challenges and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Imagine the change if your church embraced mentoring as a form of discipleship. Young people would feel seen and supported, while older members rediscovered their sense of purpose and calling. The entire church would grow closer as generations learned from one another and built relationships that last.
Journey Together isn’t just a resource—it’s an invitation. An invitation to take the fear out of mentorship and embrace the transformative power of relationship. Are you ready to build those connections?
Will your church take up the invitation?
Check out the resources here:
Journey Together mentee booklet
Journey Together mentor booklet
Eight tips to mentoring a young person
Finding mentors in your local church
Got questions? We’d love to hear from you: [email protected]
Photo: Journey Together mentor booklet. By Maya Bradley.
