Share this
It’s easy to pray for more workers. But are we willing to raise them?
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
— Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)
The Church prays this prayer often. But who will answer it?
In truth, the next generation of ministers won’t appear by accident. They will be called by God, yes—but they must also be nurtured by the Church.
The Apostle Paul set the standard by mentoring Timothy:
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus… and the things you have heard me say… entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
— 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
This is not optional. It’s part of the gospel legacy: Multiplication. Discipleship. Mentorship.
The Church of the Nazarene echoes this responsibility clearly:
“The minister should respond to opportunities to mentor future ministers and to nurture the call to ministry.”
— Manual ¶502.5
This is more than leadership development. It’s Kingdom investment.
Ministers must:
- Identify emerging calls in the lives of others.
- Encourage the uncertain who sense God tugging at their hearts.
- Provide wisdom, correction, and clarity to those just beginning.
- Model a life worth following.
A church that fails to mentor is a church that will one day lack ministers.
The call to raise up leaders is not for committees or boards alone—it’s for every pastor, elder, and deacon who has been entrusted with the gospel.
As Paul asked,
“And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?”
— Romans 10:15 (NIV)
The next generation of ministers is already in the pews. Who will raise them?
If the church does not raise them the world surely will 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
We have too many teachers but not enough spiritual fathers and mothers 🇲🇽 Mexico
I see so many gifted young people but no one affirms their call
Mentorship is not a program it is obedience to Christ 🇿🇲 Zambia
I remember someone who saw something in me when I doubted my own call 🇰🇪 Kenya
How can we expect ministers if we do not plant the seeds early
The next generation needs guidance not just theology 🇳🇬 Nigeria
Powerful message we must not only pray for workers but disciple them 🇬🇭 Ghana
The church has to be a garden where callings grow
We cannot outsource this responsibility to Bible colleges alone
Mentorship in ministry is one of the most neglected assignments 🇺🇸 United States
I am a result of someone who noticed my potential early and walked with me
We must stop waiting for the perfect candidate and start developing the ones we already have 🇿🇲 Zambia
So many girls hear the call but silence it because no one believes in them
May God stir in us the burden to disciple preachers with our own hands 🇿🇦 South Africa
We need more than events we need Elijahs to raise Elishas 🇺🇬 Uganda