Date

12-19-2023

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Alfonse Javed

Keywords

African American youth, community-based, discipleship, hope, mentorship

Disciplines

Religion

Abstract

The biblical perspective of training up a child in the way to go provides the foundation for mentoring to influence youth success. This thesis project applies a needs analysis to fulfill the effort to preserve hope through youth attendance at New Canaan Baptist Church. No secular or spiritual mentorship program exists for African American male youth in Chester, Georgia. This qualitative study used surveys to query the beliefs of African American youth, church leaders, and parents about the need for a mentorship program. Findings from analyses of survey data from almost thirty participants implied the need for a community-based mentorship program for African American male youth. Participants volunteered to participate in six project meetings. These meetings discussed low church attendance among African American male adolescents due to the lack of mentoring. The mentor and mentee were trained and paired based on commonalities. Data collected through mentorship meetings, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, will be used to develop a permanent community-based mentorship program inclusive to all youth. This thesis project proposes grooming African American male youth based on the discipleship principles found in Scripture, also evident in African American culture, to mentor men. Church as a community leader should work diligently with church leaders, parents, and African American male youth to reignite the flame of ancestry hope. The spiritual light of God gives endurance to those who accept His Great Commission. The mentorship program’s mission is to restore hope through Jesus Christ’s everlasting hope.

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