God at Work
Within the Bible our all knowing Father gave us the perfect template for the family unit, which is the fundamental core of a healthy society.  Though our current culture embraces many different perspectives of what constitutes a family unit, the Bible teaches that a mother and father united in marriage provides the stability and structure that a child needs to thrive uninhibited.  This definition of family has become increasingly under attack.  However, the attack of the traditional family unit has, as its real target, the destruction of biblical morality.  The victims being our children, and society as a whole.

Our amazing country allows all of its citizens the freedom to embrace God's free will, and choose the family structure that they deem best.  That makes it all the more important that we work to restore the family unit wherever possible.  One organization that works to accomplish this is Mentor UP.  Their ministry helps to fill the gap experienced by fatherless boys. 

Mentor UP's founder, Andy Schiller, reached out to The Barnabas Group ("TBG") to resource potential Christian mentors for their boys.  Their ministry presented in November of 2017, and received much interest from TBG's partners.  One partner is particular, Steve Philp, wasted no time in acting on what he had heard.  The following is a brief look into Steve's experience and partnership with Mentor UP:

"I look forward to each Barnabas Group meeting to see how God is moving the Kingdom forward in a variety of ways locally and internationally.  While I do not always respond directly to the presentations and needs that are presented, I am still always encouraged and blown away at the passion and creativity of the ministries that seek to meet the needs of this world and make the gospel known.
 
At this meeting it seemed that I entered with special anticipation that the Holy Spirit would make it clear as to any opportunity I needed to consider.  That happened when Chuck Divine of Mentor UP presented.  Chuck described the negative statistics affecting those who are fatherless, and his passion for reaching boys (ages 8 - 18) in the Orange County area who do not have a consistent father presence in their lives. The goal is to build relationships and a consistent presence from Christian men into these boys' lives.  
 
While it is easy to identify opportunities, the rubber meets the road when you respond.  The Spirit prompted me to get involved, so I signed up and began meeting with the group in November.  It has been great to spend evenings with these boys, as well as the other mentors.  As with most relationships, these will develop over time, and I'm looking forward in 2018 to what God has in store for me with Mentor UP!'
 
If you would like more information on Mentor UP, please contact them at either (949) 201-9495, or (949) 510-5257.