the be with factor

Mark 3.14 says, “He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach”.

This is the model Bo Boshers & Judson Poling of WillowCreek Community Church present in their new book “the be with factor”. Why is there need for a new model within student ministry?
Although students now are deeply spiritual & are looking for truth there are some very disturbing trends. There is an increase in biblical illiteracy; emerging young Christians are confused about what they believe. Only 9% of students believe that moral truths are absolute. 48% of students who claim to be believers believe that if you are generally good, you can earn your way to heaven. Also, 47% of high school graduates who went to church will fall away.

What might be a reason for these statistics? Generally, student ministry looks for two things. 1. Behavior change & 2. Inner change. Since it is easier to measure behavior change, that is what student ministers & staffers mainly focus on.

What can we do about it? Mr. Boshers & Mr. Poling follow Jesus’ example of “being with them” from Mark 3. This is the idea behind mentoring. The student gets to see up close what day-to-day life living in Christ looks like.

Why is this not happening? The authors have noticed a different attitude. Discouragement is setting in to student ministers across the country because there is a desire to be “successful” or “effective” in what they’re doing & more often than not, the measuring stick they are held up to is numbers & programs. This expectation, whether from parents, senior pastors, or themselves is permeating student ministries & shifting focus from inner change to only behavioral change. This mindset pushes the student minister & staffers into becoming managers & program directors. Because of this, they are not getting into students lives & seeing life change.


The be with factor is not just a book outlining what student minister need to do, it is a handbook with guides you through the process. The book helps you understand the process & methodology of mentoring & includes a 50-page guide for launching a mentoring relationship. In conjunction to that, the authors have also put together a student guide for the student who you are mentoring.

You can pick up the the be with factor &/or student guide here for 20% off.

Category: Leadership