Mentor Spotlight — Joe Brooks

Tell us more about you!
 
I am a Colorado kid through and through. I grew up on the western slope on a working dude ranch. Hard work and the life of an outdoorsmen and hunter was instilled in me at a very young age, and that was my focus until I met Jesus my Freshman year of High School. I was always a jack of all trades and master of some, but the love of Jesus and baseball led me to Grand Canyon University to play baseball and lead worship! My then girlfriend from high school happened to later "land" at the same Christian school, and we were married in 2007 after I graduated. I began working for the university in the Spiritual Life office and then onto Residence Life. After five years of marriage, Sarah and I welcomed our first child. Our desire for closeness to grandparents and our home state led us back to Colorado where I worked for Colorado Christian University for five years as the Residence Life Director. It was 2018 when we decided to partner with our amazing church family and I became the Executive Pastor for Westwoods Community Church. We have five kiddos— Everett, Barret, Harrison, Leona and Dax (twins). We love camping, hunting, baseball and laughing a lot! I learn MORE from those kiddos than I would have ever imagined. My family is my world!
 
You are a Pastor, and you hold a lot of titles and responsibilities. What is your favorite thing that you do as a Pastor?
 
My role as an executive pastor brings new adventures everyday! It feels like one day I am designing flyers, then the next day at a hospital praying for families or friends in need of healing, and the next day I could be found fixing a toilet or on the green for a round of golf with a friend. But through all the responsibilities, work, and fun, my favorite part of what I get to do is watch the story of Jesus being played out in people’s lives. Sometimes it takes an outsider to see the hand of God in your life, and I get to do that daily.
 
Mentoring guys one-on-one can be intimidating for some men. What is some advice that you would give to someone who wants to mentor others but might have some hesitations or questions about it?
 
We are all flawed. So I would say let go of feeling like you have to all the answers. Contrary to popular belief, men do like to talk about things. We do enjoy sharing what’s on our hearts. It’s just sometimes encrypted within a story and/or written on our face, nonverbally, and we do want it to be shared and known. I think sitting with men and hearing what’s on their hearts and finding ways to point out the Spirit's movement in their life and how Jesus really does care about all the many things we think about on a daily basis, is key.   
 
What was something that you were surprised about in a mentoring relationship?
 
Like I mentioned in my life story above with my kiddos, there are so many times that I can glean, see, experience so much from a mentee than I feel I am able to give. Being vulnerable and paying attention to the things that make you laugh/cry is important. I find those things happening lots with mentorship.  
 
Sometimes our mentee comes to us with difficult life-circumstances, or complex questions, but instead of shying away from that, how would you encourage other mentors as they sit with others who hold complex life experiences?
 
There have been countless times where the mentee’s life-circumstances far surpass any shape or form of relatability in my life. When it’s impossible to put yourself in their shoes, it’s important to remember that God will work/speak through you. I don’t need the right answers, Jesus has the right answers. I just need to point them to Christ. Sitting with the knowledge that people are people and NOT objects is key. Active listening and creating a non-judgmental space is important.
 
What has brought you the most joy as a mentor?
 
My heart and soul sing when I get to see a friend I get to mentor break through life hardships and  walk in joy. My soul sings even more when that same person is able to see the beauty themselves and begins to mentor people in their life, continuing the life-changing impact of mentorship/discipleship.
 
What has kept you humble as a mentor?
 
We have relational souls and we need each other to make it through life. My need for people pouring into my life helps me to know that we are never perfect. We always need to be learning and growing. 

Joe is a dad to five amazing kids and a husband to Sarah for almost 17 years! He loves golf, hunting, baseball, camping, the Colorado outdoors and spending time with his family! He has served in some form of ministry since he was in his teens. As a pastor, Joe has the opportunity to mentor many, but he wants other guys to know--it's not just for pastors. There are so many men waiting and wanting to be mentored.