47. How to Be A Bridge for Others | Grant Skeldon

Grant Skeldon started Initiative Network when he was 23 with the goal to develop young leaders into Christ-loving, city-changing, church-investing, disciple-making local missionaries. Initiative has united and accelerated some of the most diverse and dynamic next gen leaders from across the country. In 2020, Grant got married and moved to Nashville to become the Next Gen Director for Q Ideas. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Relevant, The Gospel Coalition, and was recently featured on the cover of Outreach Magazine. His book on the next generation, The Passion Generation, has helped thousands of pastors and parents who are trying to reach, raise, and retain the next generation. In this interview, Grant and I discuss bridging the gap between generations. He talks about the vale of a healthy community and the power of life in prayer. Check out Grant at grantskeldon.com and qideas.org. Questions to Ask Yourself from the interview: 1. What person younger than me am I actively helping? (giving time, advice, or access to network)2. How do I see Jesus as the model for leading, mentoring, and discipling others? 3. How have I taken advantage of my time as a single person?4. What thing do I want to be great at, that I can learn in community?5. What have I valued for multiple years, where its created tangible fruit in my life?Highlights3:00 - Generational bridge building7:50 - Jesus and His value and intentionality toward discipling those close to Him12:02 - Early Influences (2 fictional, 1 real) 12:58 - George Bailey of “It’s A Wonderful Life” as a ‘man of the city’ 19:30 - Starting a non-profit with his friend for local ministries in Dallas 22:20 - Leaving College23:50 - The Gift of influence and convening power24:15 - First big speaking event26:50 - The Power of being discipled or mentored29:50 - Found his “sweet spot” in speaking to young people34:50 - Don’t waste your single years, set yourself up for your married years37:55 - First job42:10 - Learning to speak publicly and authentically in community46:45 - “Becoming Confident in who you are, and Comfortable in who you are not.”48:40 - Value for Prayer and intimacy with God50:30 - Story of God showing up through prayer57:15 - What his prayer life looks likeTransform your health routine with Bravenly Hydrate and enjoy the benefits of peak hydration!Hydrate with BravenlySupport the showMEN ARE FORGED develops young professional men to pursue God's calling — so they can grow, lead, and maximize influence in the world around them.Send in a question to be answered on the pod!For more on what we do, go to menareforged.com.