“I’ll never be a Calvinist. They don’t care about missions.” I was fourteen, full of confidence, and lacking in charity and wisdom. And little did I know that at that moment I was declaring these words to a Calvinist. . . on a mission trip!
That trip forever changed me, even though I really don’t remember a lot about the trip itself. We served the local Dominicans and Haitians in Hato Mayor, evangelizing and building churches—typical things that happen on short-term mission trips. But that trip marked a turning point in my life. For that trip initiated me into a new, deeper journey of discipleship with my new mentor: the Calvinist (gasp!), pastor Todd Cyphers. Todd looked past my arrogance and saw a kid who loved Jesus, and he patiently listened to me. The more we talked that week, the more I realized that Todd was the kind of man I wanted to become.
Early in my discipleship journey, I became painfully aware of “the gap,” that distance between who God had called me to be and how I live. I could fixate on my failings and be consumed with destructive tendencies toward unhealthy introspection and despondency. Left to myself, there is a good chance I would have become “ineffective and fruitless” in my faith (2 Pet 1:8). But Todd walked alongside me, encouraging me and modeling how to continually lay these things aside and fix my eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:1–2). As I ran, Todd guided me, helping me to understand how God has wired me and how he wants to use my gifts for his glory. Most critically, Todd has modeled a delight in God and joyful dependence on his grace.
Todd was my first and greatest mentor, but he wasn’t my last. God used another godly man to influence me: a Bible professor. During my sophomore year of college, a series of events sent me spiraling into a two-year depression. I won’t bore you with the details, but I was trying to excel in all areas of life—work, school, ministry—while working in a toxic ministry environment. I was the poster child for an unhealthy lifestyle and ministry habits. I burned myself out and became consumed with perfectionistic tendencies, each one showing just how great a failure I was. I was a biblical studies major preparing for service on the mission field, but whenever I read scripture or sat in church, I either felt numb or an oppressive sense that I had failed God, who must be displeased with me. During that time, I met a new professor: David Croteau. David was experiencing all the challenges of being a first-year professor, but his door was always open. Over the next two years, he patiently counseled me in his office, teaching me how to study scripture and to apply it to my life, regardless of how I was feeling. Through this friendship, God called me to teach. I wanted to help students understand, obey, and delight in God’s words as David had done for me. So I decided to go to seminary.
During my first year of seminary, I was still on the road to recovery. God provided me with another mentor: Heath Thomas. As an Old Testament professor, Heath taught his students how to read Scripture as overarching story of redemption, and more importantly, to locate ourselves within that story. I became enamored with Scripture, but still had a lingering battle with perfectionism and depression. In our many conversations Heath sensed my struggle, and he often smiled and said, “Levi, you’re only human. Embrace that.” Heath helped me to accept and delight in my status as a limited creature before God and to change my perception of God from an annoyed boss to a tender Father and Creator. Again, I found that I wanted to do that for others, too.
As I reflect upon my discipleship journey, I realize my life has forever been changed by the power of godly mentors. These are men who grew to know me and my unique struggles and gifts; over time they led me in applying God’s truth to my life. By God’s grace, they follow Paul in saying, “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1). It is my life’s goal to imitate their example in academic discipleship.
We at Tennent believe that education should be incarnational. We learn and grow best when we know and are known by our teachers. As mimetic creatures, God designed us to learn by modeling others. What a joy to study God’s Word, to apply his magnificent grace to our brokenness, to share life, and to delight in him—together.
Levi Baker is a Visiting Professor of New Testament at Tennent. He holds an M.A. in Old Testament and an M.Div. in Christian Ministry, and recently completed his Ph.D. in Biblical Studies (New Testament emphasis) at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Levi, his wife, and three children life a life of beautiful chaos in NC.