Arrow Leadership International Ministries

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For His Name's Sake...

A young man serving in the Imperial Roman Army in the fourth century AD was touched by God’s grace and drawn to follow Jesus. Evidence of his changed life could be seen in the example he proceeded to set for others. One cold, rainy day, happening upon a shivering, naked man, this soldier removed his own tunic, ripped it in two, and gave one half to the naked man. After his military service, the young man pursued Christian ministry and was mentored, eventually becoming a guiding light in his generation. Martin of Tours trained many young Christian leaders.

One thousand years later, a boy was born in Europe on the same calendar date of Martin’s death. His parents named him after the Saint with grand hopes for his future development. That namesake, thirty-four years later, became the leader of a spiritual movement that literally changed the course of history. His journey was also influenced by mentors. Martin Luther launched a mentoring movement that spread around the globe.

In the twentieth century, a struggling young pastor from the state of Georgia, a descendant of African slaves, was enabled to attend a conference for Christian ministers in Europe. While there, he became enthralled with Luther’s courage and commitment to scriptural Truth. After he returned home, he changed his name to honor his new hero. He also changed the name of his five-year-old son. Twenty-five years later that son, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., was also known around the world because of his leadership as a pastor.

I heard recently the vivid testimony of Gracia Burnham. While missionaries in the Philippines, Gracia and her husband were held hostage in the jungle for over a year by Al Qaeda connected Jihadists. Gracia's husband, Martin, was killed in the gun battle that erupted during their rescue. Martin Burnham is a 20th century martyr whose faithfulness in life and death is an example for a new generation of young leaders. As I listened to Gracia’s story, I was reminded of the chain of faithful "Martins" spread over two millennia and of the influence that one faithful, prepared leader can have on so many others.

Isn't mentoring "intentionally leading others in the paths of righteousness...for His Name's sake?"