In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza sits down with Noah McGuffey, Mentor Coordinator at Forerunner Mentoring in Dallas, Texas. Together, they dive deep into Noah’s inspiring journey—from his childhood experiences abroad to how those formative years ignited his passion for mentoring. Noah opens up about the powerful mission of Forerunner Mentoring, shedding light on the real challenges of recruiting mentors and the vital role of fostering strong relationships with both mentors and mentees. Whether you’re an experienced mentor or just starting out, Noah offers valuable insights on how to attract the right people, onboard them effectively, and show genuine gratitude for their commitment. Don’t miss out on these actionable strategies that can take your mentoring efforts to the next level.

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Takeaways

• Noah's upbringing overseas influenced his passion for mentoring.
• Forerunner Mentoring aims to fulfill the potential of young boys without father figures.
• Building relationships is key to successful mentoring.
• Recruiting the right mentors is a continuous challenge.
• Church partnerships are vital for mentor recruitment.
• Mentors need to feel supported and valued to remain engaged.
• The onboarding process is crucial for mentor confidence and safety.
• Expressing gratitude to mentors enhances their experience.
• Transformative stories often emerge from mentoring relationships.
• Creating a culture of appreciation is essential for retention.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:03 Growing Up Overseas and Its Impact
05:46 The Role of Mentoring in Noah's Life
09:02 Forerunner Mentoring: Mission and Challenges
12:06 Recruitment Strategies for Mentors
14:45 Building Church Partnerships
18:02 Creating Positive Experiences for Mentors
19:55 Onboarding Process for Mentors
26:02 Retaining Mentors and Building Relationships
30:00 Stories of Transformation
38:59 Expressing Gratitude to Mentors

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If you are a mentoring leader, check out the You Can Mentor learning labs. We are a monthly leadership cohort that surrounds you with equipping and encouragement from other mentoring leaders. For an hour each month, we discuss a topic that will help you be a more equipped and encouraged leader. We have two cohorts: one for executives and one for program directors.

Check out our website for more info. www.youcanmentor.com

Also, check out our National Christian Mentoring Gathering, which is April 16-18, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com