My Story Part 4: The Story Behind Not Many Fathers
- Written by Mike Cavanaugh
- Category: Motivation
In May 2020 I stepped down as the president of the college and began to evaluate what God’s next steps were for me. The first thing I did was try to identify what I felt about this next season of ministry. I concluded that my purpose was to fulfill my ministry by imparting to others what God has given me encouraging them to accomplish more than I ever have. From this I founded Not Many Fathers. Through this ministry I mentor emerging Christian leaders in how to make wise decisions, preach dynamically, and boldly initiate their visions so they can reach their God-given potential. As one young leader expressed to me, “Something that keeps sticking out to me concerning my generation is that they have ‘endless information but little wisdom’. We have been left with Google as our guide but virtually no mentors.”
Today many emerging Christian leaders have come to spiritual leadership having little experience or practical ministry training. In many cases their formal training is completely secular, and their home life had little spiritual grounding. Yet now they have had a powerful encounter with God and have felt called to serve Him but they need exposure to people who has proven ministry experience, a mentor, a spiritual father to share experience, critical skills and inspiration for the mission they are facing. Their call is real, but success is not guaranteed. Paul says, “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers.” My mission is to impart to others what God has given me encouraging them to accomplish more than I ever have. I do not build a dependence on myself but press for each emerging leader to grasp their individual call. I truly believe that mentor with a history of success and the heart of a spiritual father giving support during a leader’s formative stages can greatly increase the possibility of a long lasting and effective ministry.
At my stage of life and ministry I know who I am. I am an empowering leader and mentor with a father’s heart. I seek the success of those leaders I have opportunity to influence. I work to help them identify their personal mission and fulfill it. I do not build a dependence on myself but constantly press for each person to grasp their individual destiny and purpose. I’m grateful that emerging leaders see me as credible because of God’s grace which has enabled me to experience a lifetime of ministry success and growth in character.
My hope is to use the combination 1-hour books, video messages, blog posts, zoom classes, speaking at events and personal interaction to bring strength to emerging leaders like you.
I hope you will join me in this adventure and let me impart to you what God has given me so that you can go farther than I ever have. Why not start by reading one of the 1-hour eBooks I’ve put together for you? They are extremely practical and would make a great first step in our connection.