About this Book: |
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Navigating Life: A Mentoring Toolbox by Neil and Ruth Thielke offers a come-as-you-are discussion approach. The Holy Spirit arouses an aura of discovery, piquing exciting discussion topics as we read a chapter aloud to each other. In one-on-one mentoring, leave ample opportunity for discussion and prayer. The mentoring meetings often become a favorite time of the week for the mentor and mentoree as they develop their relationship and get to know Jesus better. Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his disciples to wait for the gift the Father promised, who would teach them everything Jesus had commanded. The Bible comes alive when we ask the Holy Spirit to be with us as our teacher. The Bible passages are included throughout the book because we have noticed people often do not take the time to open their Bibles to check out the references. What we have written isn’t nearly as important as what the Bible says, which is God’s fantastic road map for our lives. Additional resources are listed for those wanting further study on a particular topic.
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About the Author: |
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A significant aspect of Neil Thielke’s 41 years of Christian ministry was one-on-one mentoring at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Thousands of hours in discussions with students in the campus café using the Bible and resource materials became the foundation of this book. Many mentorees lived in the Thielke house a block off campus. Neil’s mentoring helped students relate to Jesus and each other, and provided stability for student-led Christian organizations. While part of campus administration as Registrar, Ruth was invited by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) to serve as their faculty adviser.
Neil offered a 10-week Summer Institute of Ministry Training (SIMT) modeled after YWAM discipleship training schools. Friends in ministry taught week-long ministry aspects. Several SIMT students joined Neil on mission trips to Mexico, in his schools of ministry overseas, and even planted churches.
Neil pastored churches in Morris, MN, and Fargo, ND, for a combined 41 years and presently serves as volunteer staff at The Church in the Pines in Alexandria, MN. Neil is the founder and director of Outfitters for Adventure missions organization. He is one of the leaders for the TrueBridge family of churches, whose home office is in Marshall, MN, under Doug Wing’s leadership.
In addition to helping Neil write this book, Ruth co-authored If Only the Rod Had Been Round, the story of Bridget Harris Volden’s life, and edited Kevin and Julia Garratt’s book Two Tears on the Window. She loves to sing, does needlecraft, and gardens with Neil.
Flowers and vegetables abound in their backyard. Neil bowhunts and processes his own meat. His 50 International pickup truck generates buzz in the community and brings back memories of his Grandfather. The Facebook group he created for that particular pickup model now has over 5,000 members. Horse-drawn machinery around the yard recalls the years of grandparents. And Neil is an aficionado of his outdoor sauna, a practice he picked up in Siberia. How ordinary people can translate practical Christianity to their local communities is a theme in both their lives.
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