Building Faith Through Mentorship

Confirmation at St. Paul combines interactive learning with pastors, Bible exploration, small-group discussions, worship, and a retreat opportunity. Three times a month on Wednesday evenings during the school year, seventh and eighth-graders gather for this intentional time together. At the center of this transformative ministry are confirmation sponsors: caring mentors who guide small groups of students through two years of faith exploration, creating spaces for honest questions, personal struggles, and spiritual growth.

Myrna Miller 
Myrna’s path to becoming a confirmation sponsor began with family. When her granddaughter approached confirmation age, Myrna was drawn to sponsorship by her background as a fifth and sixth-grade teacher and her desire to work with young people again in retirement.

“It opened up a whole new world for me,” Myrna said of her sponsorship experience, which has included mentoring her granddaughter, two great-nieces, and her grandson. “Small-group sessions that follow large-group lessons are intimate gatherings where real relationships form and students feel safe to explore deep questions about faith and life. It’s important for these students to hear from their peers that they’re not alone. Other kids are having those same frustrations and challenges.”

Myrna describes moments that give her “goosebumps,” particularly during retreats when students are asked simply, “Where do you see God?” The program’s creative approach includes finding God in nature during hikes, in artwork, even in dessert—emphasizing that the sacred appears in relationships and interactions throughout daily life.

“These experiences with the kids help me feel God around me all the time,” Myrna said. “I’m more likely to pray. It’s enriched my faith and I see God everywhere. I find joy in my faith.”

Anthony Bielski 
Anthony’s journey to confirmation sponsorship was immediate and enthusiastic. When asked to serve, he jumped at the opportunity.

Now, wrapping up his time as a sponsor, Anthony brings a unique perspective shaped by his role as a building trades teacher at North Scott High School, where he teaches electrical, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, and concrete courses. His daily work with teenagers gives him insight into the pressures today’s young people face.

“These kids are in middle school when they begin confirmation, dealing with hormones, puberty, and changes in themselves, changes in technology, violence, and political division, all while having to figure out who they are, why they are here, and what they want to be when they grow up,” Anthony said. “They’re under a ton of internal and external pressure, so when they come together every week to discuss and pray and laugh, these young adults can grow knowing they are not alone because of God and the sponsors and peers they meet along the way.”

Anthony was surprised by how profoundly the students’ final faith stories affected him. Some days during the confirmation process, he wondered if the lessons were connecting. Then came the presentations.

“It was so awesome watching and seeing them grow,” Anthony said. “I teared up during every faith story. They were amazing! I’m so proud of them.”

Christine Yoerger
Christine’s journey to confirmation sponsorship happened remarkably quickly. Just two days after joining St. Paul, church staff reached out based on her work as a paraprofessional with special needs students at the junior high level.

Christine’s motivation stems from her own positive confirmation experience, where she was part of an eclectic group she likens to The Breakfast Club—athletes, theater kids, brains, and nerds who became lifelong friends under the guidance of loving adult leaders. Now in her sixth year and third group of confirmands, she hopes to provide similar positive experiences for today’s students.

Her sponsorship has been deeply healing. Growing up in a household where faith was used as discipline, Christine struggled for years with feelings of unworthiness and distance from God.

“I was told God would discard me when I made mistakes, creating barriers that were really hard to overcome,” Christine said. “St. Paul’s confirmation program emphasizes a different message: ‘You are a child of God, wholly and dearly loved. Jesus loves you and so do I.’ Confirmation has been a healing experience for me as I’ve learned about the depths of God’s love for us along with the kids.”

Each group brings its own personality—some bond over sports, others through sarcasm and teasing, while her current group loves games. The diversity keeps her engaged and reminds her that faith formation looks different for every young person.