Kent Evans - 4 Dangers with Mentoring, Ep #9

Spiritual Fathers

In this episode of Spiritual Fathers, Kent shares the inspiring journey behind his ministry, Manhood Journey, which began as an effort to engage fathers in discipleship within his church community. Drawing from his personal story and advice he received as a teen navigating his parents’ divorce, Kent emphasizes the transformative power of surrounding yourself with mentors who exemplify the life you aspire to build.

He also offers profound insights into mentorship, outlining four common pitfalls to avoid while highlighting the importance of fostering independence and mutual growth. Kent’s advice extends beyond mentoring, encouraging listeners to build relationships with men who challenge and inspire them, creating a dynamic network for personal and spiritual development.

Kent Evans is the executive director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After 20 years in a career as a businessman, Kent embarked on the men’s ministry project, appearing on television, radio, podcasts, and Christian speaking events. He is also the author of four books. He is married and has five sons.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• Kent Evans shares about his life and faith [1:45]
• What inspired Kent to start the Manhood Journey ministry [4:50]
• What are the four dangers of mentoring? [15:30]
• Best spiritual advice Kent ever received [34:00]
• Kent talks about his new book, Don't Bench Yourself. [38:30]
• Books Kent recommends [39:50]

How Kent became interested in men’s mentorship

Kent shares how his ministry, Manhood Journey, took root when a church staff member approached him with a challenge: create something to engage fathers in the church. This sparked a collaborative effort among a group of men, brainstorming ideas on a whiteboard to answer a key question: “How can we inspire dads to embrace discipleship?”

Their solution was to develop guided Bible studies, encouraging fathers to lead small group studies with their sons. Over time, Manhood Journey has grown into a vital resource for Christian fathers, equipping them to disciple their children in the faith.

Kent’s passion for men’s mentorship, however, was shaped much earlier in his life. At 17, following his parents’ divorce, a counselor offered him transformative advice: simply knowing what you don’t want your family life to look like isn’t enough. Instead, Kent was encouraged to seek out men who embodied the qualities and successes he desired, using their lives as templates to build his own. This foundational idea became the cornerstone of his work, inspiring him to help other fathers create intentional and faithful legacies for their families.

4 Dangers of Mentoring

Kent highlights four key pitfalls that can undermine the effectiveness of mentorship.

1. The first is the belief that a mentor must be “the answer man.” While it may be tempting to provide solutions, the best mentors ask thoughtful questions, encouraging their mentees to think critically and make their own decisions. This approach empowers mentees to develop independence and confidence in their problem-solving abilities.
2. The second mistake is dictating the mentee’s path. Instead of prescribing a specific course of action, mentors should help mentees develop a framework for evaluating options and understanding consequences. This equips them with the tools they need to navigate future challenges on their own.
3. The third danger lies in assuming that the mentor’s way of doing things is the only correct way. While principles are universal, the methods for achieving them can vary greatly between individuals. Flexibility and openness to different approaches are crucial for effective mentorship.
4. Finally, Kent warns against rigidly maintaining the mentor-mentee dynamic. A healthy mentorship requires humility and mutual respect, recognizing that each person has unique strengths and insights. By occasionally allowing the mentee to guide or teach, both parties can grow and foster a deeper, more collaborative relationship.

Advice for mentoring and beyond

Kent suggests that you find interesting men to surround yourself with. Look to build relationships with men who have qualities and talents that you would enjoy learning about. Look for smart guys who may mentor you in skills or experiences you want to develop in your own life. And consider how you can encourage mentees to have agency in their lives.

Listen to the whole episode for insight into the mentoring relationship and common pitfalls to avoid.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Start Your Manhood Journey To Be A Better Father & Husband
• Don’t Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When you want to Quit, by Kent Evans
• Pointman, by Steve Farrar
• Teaching to Change Lives, by Dr. Howard Hendricks

Connect with Kent Evans

• Kent Evans

Connect With Spiritual Fathers

• The Spiritual Fathers website
• SpiritualFathers(at)ManInTheMirror.com