H7 Story: Mentor, Leader, and Friend
Bryan and Sherry Englehardt began leading a Small Group at 180 around two years ago. 180 Small Group leaders are expected to lead their Small Group in a discussion group every Wednesday night and offer them support and community throughout the week.
Bryan and Sherry took that expectation seriously and have led well during the Wednesday night small group. All of our 180 Small Group Leaders do this well, but Bryan and Sherry have stood out in their intentionality to lead and care for their Small Group during the Wednesday meetings and outside of that time. That care has created a trusted community and closeness within both groups.
When asked why he stepped into this role, Bryan answered, "Shortly after finishing re:gen, I felt more equipped to serve in God's kingdom than I ever had before. Travis approached me to be a leader at 180 and felt leadership there to be a good place for me to serve. I'm amazed at the dedication and faithfulness of the students who show up consistently and how they love one another. They have genuine kindness and friendship for each other. We have enjoyed hiking, Super Bowl feasting, target shooting, laughter, and eating together."
Sherry shared, "Raising seven children, I am well aware of the struggles that youth have to face. I felt compelled to share my story with them and lead them to be warriors for Christ. The girls in my group have brought so much joy to my life. I feel blessed to be part of 180 and the girls' lives. I love their kindness and faithfulness. We have enjoyed Christmas parties, carved pumpkins, and attended a ballet together."
Bryan and Sherry's meaningful connections with their Small Groups are making a difference in these students' lives, and they are becoming trusted mentors.
Bryan and Sherry took that expectation seriously and have led well during the Wednesday night small group. All of our 180 Small Group Leaders do this well, but Bryan and Sherry have stood out in their intentionality to lead and care for their Small Group during the Wednesday meetings and outside of that time. That care has created a trusted community and closeness within both groups.
When asked why he stepped into this role, Bryan answered, "Shortly after finishing re:gen, I felt more equipped to serve in God's kingdom than I ever had before. Travis approached me to be a leader at 180 and felt leadership there to be a good place for me to serve. I'm amazed at the dedication and faithfulness of the students who show up consistently and how they love one another. They have genuine kindness and friendship for each other. We have enjoyed hiking, Super Bowl feasting, target shooting, laughter, and eating together."
Sherry shared, "Raising seven children, I am well aware of the struggles that youth have to face. I felt compelled to share my story with them and lead them to be warriors for Christ. The girls in my group have brought so much joy to my life. I feel blessed to be part of 180 and the girls' lives. I love their kindness and faithfulness. We have enjoyed Christmas parties, carved pumpkins, and attended a ballet together."
Bryan and Sherry's meaningful connections with their Small Groups are making a difference in these students' lives, and they are becoming trusted mentors.
Twelfth grader Max Hinkle has benefited from Bryan's faithfulness and commented, "He likes to plan things with us, whether it's scheduling a hike to involve the other guys who are not super connected, to going to his house for the Super Bowl or a BBQ. He has even endured the pranks that some of us have played on him, and he still loves us.
He keeps us involved with what's happening in his life and likes to be involved in ours. As an electrician helper, Bryan has hired me to do whatever electrical project he can dream of doing in his house to support me. We know he's a leader we can trust and confide in and will be there when we need him."
Another twelfth grader, Andrew Lundy shared, "Bryan models FCC's Team Code Maxim, Lead with Vulnerability very well! He's not afraid to be honest with us in Small Group and help us through our struggles by being honest about his struggles and stuff he may have dealt with in the past that relates to us. He's also a very good friend to us. He laughs with us and can make jokes, all while knowing how to reel us in when needed. I can trust Bryan with most of my life when I'm down and need one-on-one conversation. He's a great mentor to me when I need him!
I love that he tries hard to keep in contact with me and the others in the Small Group. He encourages us to keep up with the guys who are missing and tries to involve them when we've got a Small Group event outside of church.
Bryan is a good mentor, leader, and friend! He's been a great leader, and I'm glad to have him as a leader during my senior year. I plan to stay in contact with him after high school!"
Calleigh Ford shared how much her 9th grade Small Group Leader means to her. Sherry not only is an awesome Small Group leader at 180, but she ministers to us outside of our group, too. We meet up to chat and talk about life. My favorite time was when we met before school started and discussed our fears about entering high school. Having these times where I meet with my Small Group outside of 180 grows my relationship with them. Sherry is a great supporter. I am so beyond grateful she is our Small Group leader.
He keeps us involved with what's happening in his life and likes to be involved in ours. As an electrician helper, Bryan has hired me to do whatever electrical project he can dream of doing in his house to support me. We know he's a leader we can trust and confide in and will be there when we need him."
Another twelfth grader, Andrew Lundy shared, "Bryan models FCC's Team Code Maxim, Lead with Vulnerability very well! He's not afraid to be honest with us in Small Group and help us through our struggles by being honest about his struggles and stuff he may have dealt with in the past that relates to us. He's also a very good friend to us. He laughs with us and can make jokes, all while knowing how to reel us in when needed. I can trust Bryan with most of my life when I'm down and need one-on-one conversation. He's a great mentor to me when I need him!
I love that he tries hard to keep in contact with me and the others in the Small Group. He encourages us to keep up with the guys who are missing and tries to involve them when we've got a Small Group event outside of church.
Bryan is a good mentor, leader, and friend! He's been a great leader, and I'm glad to have him as a leader during my senior year. I plan to stay in contact with him after high school!"
Calleigh Ford shared how much her 9th grade Small Group Leader means to her. Sherry not only is an awesome Small Group leader at 180, but she ministers to us outside of our group, too. We meet up to chat and talk about life. My favorite time was when we met before school started and discussed our fears about entering high school. Having these times where I meet with my Small Group outside of 180 grows my relationship with them. Sherry is a great supporter. I am so beyond grateful she is our Small Group leader.
Bryan and Sherry may never know their full impact on these students' lives, but it is clear that God is using them to point these students to a stronger relationship with Jesus.
Posted in Tell the Story