Year-Round Mentoring for Women in Discipleship One-on-One
with Patty Blakley, Jan Knoop or Gladys Behymer
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
In a mentoring relationship, the focus is first and foremost on the gospel and biblical discipleship – for the renewal of our hearts, for the sake of others, and also for our communities. In this Year-Round Mentoring we will explore where we need growth to believe and trust in Christ with all our minds, hearts, and strength, and learn how to walk alongside others and build them up in faith and maturity. We will especially look at the dynamics of how people truly change through God’s absolute truth, resurrection power, and abounding grace.
Goals:
To recognize where we ourselves struggle and to grow in trusting and loving our faithful and sovereign Lord. We will start with our own hearts.
To refocus on what talents, strengths, and capacities we have, how they fit with our current roles and expectations, and if changes need to be made.
To investigate and address where those we serve and lead get off-track from following Christ and how we can best disciple, coach, and/or mentor them.
To understand and implement tested practices of spiritual renewal and practical change.
To identify key potential leaders in our spheres of influence and generate a plan to develop them to new heights through encouraging, equipping, and empowering.
Full group, we do not accept
any more applications
Commitments:
Attend approximately 8-10 one-on-one Zoom meetings over the course of 12 months, including one-on-one in-person meetings during the ELF annual meeting in May 2025.
Access all Zoom meetings on a computer with a good Internet connection, using a head-set.
Complete all assignments (including reading and writing) before each Zoom meeting.
In order to be accepted to next years' European Leadership Forum, all Year-Round Mentoring participants will need to nominate two other leaders for the following year’s Year-Round Mentoring, which includes personally contacting and recruiting them by email.
Strategy:
We will follow a simple yet powerful pattern – listen, learn, love. Initially, each participant will spend time building a relationship with the mentor in order to better understand the mentee’s personal and ministry challenges and needs. A discipleship curriculum will be used to provide practical training and action steps in disciple-making, including studying and teaching the Bible, developing a prayer life, and lessons in biblical leadership. There will be flexibility in using the curriculum in order to focus and spend time on needed areas of growth.
Mentors
You will be paired with either Patty Blakley, Gladys Behymer, or Jan Knoop for the Year-Round Mentoring.
Patty Blakley
Patty Blakley has been actively serving in her local church in Zionsville, Indiana for the last 37 years. She has been involved in Habits of the Heart (an in-depth Bible study), Women’s Ministry, and curriculum writing over the years. Her heart is especially tender for one-on-one mentoring. She would describe her role as helping others see all of life through the lens of God’s Word and grace. She has been married to her husband, Jim, for 50 years and has 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
Gladys Behymer
Gladys Behymer has been mentoring and shepherding women in Bible studies for years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Ministry Leadership. Since retiring as a business professional she is active as board chair and volunteer for a non-profit that helps special needs people through the use of horses. She is actively involved with her local church, serving on the mission team, prayer team, and leading the GriefShare program. Gladys is a widow with five children and six grandchildren.
Jan Knoop
Jan Knoop is a graduate of Purdue University. She has a master’s degree in Education Administration from a branch of Texas A & M. After teaching for 30 years, she is now an adjunct professor at Grace College, mentoring student teachers. Since retiring from full-time teaching, Jan works with young girls in an after-school ministry at her former elementary school. She and Gib have taught and ministered in their church, Pleasant View Bible Church, in various ministries including teens, young marrieds, college/career, and now in the Biblical Counseling program.
Application Process
To apply:
Thoroughly review the curriculum.
Complete the online application.
All applications will be reviewed. We will notify you whether
or not you have been accepted as a participant in the 2025-26 programme within four to six weeks.
If you have questions, contact us at initiatives@euroleadership.org.