The Gap for Teen Mentors
The generational gap can seem massive. Their world, shaped by constant connectivity, social media, and on-demand content, is vastly different from the one we grew up in. It’s easy to forget what it was like to be a teenager—caught between childhood and adulthood, navigating cliques, peer pressure, and the desire to fit in. We might forget the conflicts with parents, the stress of grades, or the sting of feeling left out.
What a teen needs most isn’t a mentor who understands the latest trends or knows all the current slang. What they need, above all else, is the gospel. Our common need for the gospel is the great equalizer. It’s what bridges the gap between us, no matter how different our life experiences may be.
A Common Need for the Gospel
We’ve seen firsthand how the gospel can meet students in their deepest moments of desperation. Our organization, Urban Youth Excel, partners with Jesus to mentor inner-city students in every area of their lives.
Recently, one of our mentors shared the story of a young man who had a nickname tied to his absent father. After conversations with his mentors, he went home, prayed about it, and came back with a life-changing decision: to be called by his real name. This was a direct, biblical decision—a choice to embrace his true identity in Christ rather than one defined by his past. This powerful act showed how he learned to go to God for all his decisions.
Another student was in a severe family situation, a place where he was even contemplating suicide. Through our work, a mentor was able to show him how God provides deliverance from desperate situations, much like the woman in the Bible who was healed after reaching out to Jesus. By building a strong relationship outside of school, the mentor became “Jesus’s literal hands and feet in his life.” He was able to tell the student, “Don’t hurt yourself… you have so much to offer.” As a result, this student’s life was transformed, moving from depression and suicidal thoughts to becoming an athlete and seeing a future he previously couldn’t imagine.
For our annual fundraising event, we select a group of students to share their testimonies. We give them journals with questions to help them process their journey. It is a powerful experience. Students who were once isolated are now sharing their vulnerability with their peers, realizing they aren’t alone. One student said her life “felt gray” before but now has “color” and is “lively and red.” Another young lady declared, “I am no longer have that depression.”
These are the moments that remind us of our mission. A mentor doesn’t need to have all the answers; they simply need to be a listening ear. An effective discipleship relationship is a safe one, where a teen can share their life, struggles, hopes, and dreams. Ultimately, a mentor’s job is not to fix the teen but to point them to Jesus. That’s what they truly need. We may not understand the latest trends, but we do know Jesus—the one who offers refuge, hope, and true life. And that is exactly what they need.
Support Urban Youth Excel
Want to make a tangible difference in the lives of Arizona’s youth? Urban Youth Excel relies on the generosity of individuals and organizations to continue our vital work. Your support empowers us to provide mentorship, educational opportunities, and safe spaces that guide young people toward a brighter future and foster their holistic development.
Here’s how you can help:
- Donate Today: Every contribution directly fuels our summer programs and other initiatives, helping us reach more students and expand our impact for student success.
- Explore Sponsorship Opportunities: Is your company looking to partner with a cause that truly changes lives? We have various sponsorship levels that offer meaningful engagement and demonstrate your commitment to corporate social responsibility through community collaboration.
Together, we can continue to help Phoenix youth excel in every area of their lives. Reach out and learn more about how you can contribute or become a sponsor.
