The following mentoring story is from my good friend, Tim Kayser, who followed me as the lead pastor of Risen King Community Church after Jill and left staff to become missionaries with CRM (Church Resource Ministries). Tim is a very gifted communicator of the good news of Jesus, and one of the smartest people I know. He served the church with excellence as my executive pastor for many years. I counted on him big time in many of the huge transitions in the life of our church, especially in our move to our new facility on 50 acres in Redding, CA. Now, as the lead pastor of Risen King, Tim is leading and shaping other future leaders as I had the privilege of doing with him. May there be a mentoring movement across the body of Christ for the sake of the Kingdom!

From Tim Kayser:

I recently was asked who has had the greatest positive influence on my life and why.  Along with a couple of other mentors, I talked about Bill Randall.

Sixteen years ago, Bill hired me to work as a pastor at Risen King Community Church in Redding, CA.  This was my first pastoral job, and I learned so much from Bill about what it means to be a pastor.  I learned the importance of keeping one’s own spiritual walk vital; I learned the importance of vulnerability and authenticity, even for those in primary leadership roles; and I learned that it is possible to lead a church staff as friends.  Bill walked me through my first funerals and weddings and gave me feedback on my preaching.  He really helped me learn how to “do the stuff” of pastoring.

From Bill I gained a greater passion for seeing the Kingdom of God come.  In Bill, I found someone who was able to clearly articulate what I intuitively felt should be the case: that we can be passionate and committed to the truth of God’s Word, and be eager to experience the tangible presence and power of God’s Spirit.

I can honestly say that no one person has had a greater positive influence in shaping me for ministry than Bill, and I am so grateful for that.

To learn more about Risen King, check out their website at: www.risenking.org.