Its a humbling experience when you have the opportunity to befriend one of your heroes. For years I had admired and respected Bill Bright, Campus Crusade for Christs founder and president. He is a man of God with top-notch character and a passion for leading people to Christ and helping them build a firm foundation in Him. Its impossible to measure the impact he and his ministries have had for the kingdom.

My life first intersected with Dr. Bright from afar when I was at Indiana University. It was a persistent Crusade staffer who finally broke through the walls I had built up to Christianity. Eventually I surrendered to Christ and stepped onto a path away from the life I had thought I wanted to a life committed to knowing God and sharing Him. Not only was that great, but I met my future wife, Cheryl, the first time I attended a Crusade meeting. Hows that for a divine appointment!

Years later, we had the pleasure of getting to know Bill and his wife, Vonette, personally. We have prayed with them, wept together about personal and ministerial challenges and spent time in their home. People like Bill and Vonette are a great inspiration to us all. They remind us that God has called each of us to helping other Christians get on board with sharing Christ. Im happy to salute them, especially during 2001, Campus Crusades 50th anniversary year.

Just as Jesus commissioned us to share Him with the world, He also told us to pray that others would rise up and go. Then he said to his disciples, 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).

Jesus asks us to do more than share the message ourselves. He wants us to pray for and mentor others to become on mission Christians.

Here are some principles from Pauls relation-ship with Timothy that will help us as we seek younger Christians to mentor:

Pray sincerely for them (2 Timothy 1:3). First, pray that God will lead you to younger Christians who can benefit from your involvement. As you pray often for new and greater things in their lives, God will give you a greater love and commitment to those people.

Project a vision (2 Timothy 1:6). Be bold and excited about how you think God could use them in impacting the world for Christ. Encourage them to find their own unique shape and approach for sharing Christ. Let them know you believe in them and their future.

Teach (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Sharing Christ doesnt take years of classroom training, just the ability to tell your own story about what Christ has done in your life. Be sure you take the time to explain the biblical call to evangelism and key scriptures that communicate Gods salvation plan.

Model (1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:2). Be sure to give the one you are mentoring opportunities to accompany you as you share your faith. This could be as simple as going out together on your churchs weekly visitation to first-time visitors or as involved as taking a mission trip together. The idea is not just to talk about it but to do it!

Activate (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Eventually there came a day when Paul sent Timothy out on his own for ministry. We must be sure that those we mentor take ownership and see the importance of taking the initiative to find those to whom they can minister and mentor themselves. And we must continue to encourage them to be active in sharing their faith in season and out.

Of course, before we can help others get into the game, we must have a passion for reaching the lost ourselves. We cant pass along to others something we dont personally possess.

Are you using what God has taught you to invest time in others and build their vision for reaching the world for Christ? Or maybe youre just starting to realize that God wants you off the sidelines, and you need to find a good coach who can help you get going. Make a choice today to team up with a fellow Christian, and together take Christ to those around you.

Bob Reccord is president of the North American Mission Board, SBC, and author of the book Forged by Fire: How God Shapes Those He Loves (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000).