Biola University just named their new president. Clyde Cook served as the president for the last 25 years, so it is no small feat to find someone to take his place.
From what I read in the Biola Magazine, I am quite impressed with the new president Barry Corey. Aside from his academic and work experience credentials, I found it interesting how he seemed to intentionally prepared himself to reach his goals by having several mentors.
Corey’s father is his “spiritual mentor.” He said his father, a Canadian preacher shaped his faith through his example of prayer and ministry.
Corey also has two former Christian college presidents as mentors – one as a “strategic mentor” and one a “scriptural mentor.” Robert Cooley mentored him on the strategies, structures and processes of Christian higher education, while Walter Kaiser, a leading Old Testament scholar talked with Corey at length about understanding God’s Word. Having two former college presidents as mentors most likely helped him be the successful candidate for the presidency at Biola.
We generally think of having one mentor who can give us guidance on life. But how wise it is to have more than one mentor for different aspects of our life. A mentor for our work who helps us advance our career may not be our spiritual mentor. And who ever thought of a Scriptural mentor? Instead of reading commentaries, find a Bible scholar to be your mentor.
I’ve had people in my life who have influenced me, but I never had a designated “mentor” whom I consulted with on a regular basis to intentionally help me live successfully. Perhaps I would’ve turned out differently – for the better that is – if I had.