270. Walking The Path: Authentic Mentorship Through Identity and Grace with Benjamin Crawshaw and Brittany Sawrey-Coulson of TrueFace

270. Walking The Path: Authentic Mentorship Through Identity and Grace with Benjamin Crawshaw and Brittany Sawrey-Coulson of TrueFace

Author: Zach Garza & You Can Mentor: Faith-Based Mentoring for Churches, Non-Profits, Youth Ministers, and Teachers June 12, 2025 Duration: 48:12

In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza talks with Brittany Sawrey-Coulson and Benjamin Crawshaw from True Face about the power of authenticity in mentorship and discipleship. They challenge performance-based models of discipleship, emphasizing identity in Christ and the value of genuine, trust-filled relationships. The conversation covers how mentors can create safe spaces for youth through authentic connection, meaningful dialogue, and shared experiences. They also discuss the role of food, curiosity, and presence in building trust, as well as the impact of social media and technology on mentorship. The episode wraps up with practical resources to help mentors guide deeper, more impactful conversations with their mentees.

Check out Brittany and Benjamin's book, The Path: What if the Way of Jesus is Different Than You Thought? on Amazon here. You can also download a sneak peek of the book or learn more at https://www.trueface.org/thepath

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Takeaways: 

  • TrueFace helps Christians find peace through identity-based discipleship.
  • Authenticity and humility are key to connecting with today’s youth.
  • Mentoring starts with trust, not performance.
  • The next generation craves real relationships and self-understanding.
  • Safe, grace-filled environments foster growth and transformation.
  • Shared meals and genuine curiosity deepen connection.
  • Face-to-face, experiential learning is powerful in a digital age.
  • Mentors must be secure in their identity to lead well.
  • The Path Experience Guide provides practical tools for mentors.
  • Social media brings both challenges and chances for deeper engagement.

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Mentorship and True Face
01:53 The Journey of True Face and Its Impact
06:12 Authenticity in Mentorship and Discipleship
08:55 Shifting from Performance to Identity
15:07 Building Relationships in Mentorship
21:07 The Role of Humility in Mentorship
23:01 Creating Safe Environments for Change
36:00 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Mentoring
44:03 Resources for Effective Mentoring Conversations

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Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com


Hosted by Zach Garza, You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast is a conversation for anyone guiding young people within a faith context. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical resource built for the real challenges faced by youth ministers, church volunteers, teachers, and parents. Each episode focuses on the tangible aspects of building relationships that matter, offering grounded advice on how to listen, encourage, and walk alongside the next generation. The core of this podcast is a shared belief that effective mentoring flows from a foundation of loving God and loving others, aiming to make disciples right where you live. We delve into the questions you actually have, because your input directly shapes the discussions. Many episodes are crafted from real questions submitted by listeners, making the content immediately relevant to your own mentoring relationships. Whether you're navigating a difficult conversation, seeking creative ways to connect, or looking to sustain your own spiritual health while pouring into others, this space is designed to equip and encourage you. The goal is to see Christian mentors not just manage, but truly thrive in their vital roles. Tune in for honest stories, actionable strategies, and a sense of community, all aimed at helping you cultivate a more meaningful and impactful mentoring practice.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast
Podcast Episodes
232: IPC: Introduction // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:36
“IPC”-IPC is a tool to help us understand our mentee (and ourselves)-Identity, Purpose, and Community are three things we are presented with about King David in 2 Samuel 8. -Identity: 2 Samuel tells us David was a mighty…
231. What Does a Christian Look Like? // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:43
This Mentoring Minute deals with a really good question you can ask your mentee to start some high-quality conversation. Back in youth group, we would trace out somebody’s silhouette on a piece of butcher paper and have…
230. What is Mentoring? What is a Mentor? // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:19
All of us are here today because of our relationship with “that person”. You know, the one who made a profound impact on your life. For me, a few men made me who I am today. It was a man named Bob who invested into me wh…
229. Words Matter // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:44
We’ve all done it. We have said something like “Wow, Brian is the best. He is such a good kid.” You may think there’s not a thing wrong with that statement. But what about this one, “Geez. Brian is the worst. He is such…
228. The Rule of Three // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:58
Safety is the name of the game when it comes to mentoring. You always want to have safety on the mind when you are hanging out with your mentee. First priority is always to keep the child safe, but another aspect of safe…
227. Are You Sure? // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:43
In my line of work, I hear these three little words all the time. They come after I give something to someone usually or offer to help someone do something. My nonproof is based on Jesus’s words to his disciples: “Freely…
226. First "You", Then "Them" // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:47
I hate to fly. I hate everything about it. Getting up 72 hours before your flight so you can drive to a crowded airport with terrible parking. I hate the 19 lines you wait in to do all the things. Take your shoes off. Pu…
225. Find Your Tribe // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:39
If you’ve ever hiked up a mountain, it is no easy endeavor. There are easy parts and there are hard parts. Storms can pop up from time to time. Times of fun and times where you are challenged. But if you stick it out, th…
224. Giving Gifts // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:50
Giving GiftsGiving gifts or purchasing things for your mentee is one of the more complicated topics you will face as a mentor. You want to be able to show your care and affection for your mentee through giving gifts, but…
223. Mentoring is Baseball // Mentoring Minute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:34
Mentoring is BaseballDid you know that the average of every baseball player in the hall of fame is a combined .303. That means if you hit the ball 303 out of 1,000 times, you are considered one of the greatest baseball p…