Thank Your Mentor Spotlight: Saleem Ghubril
Published
Someone who has been a mentor to me...
In addition to family, I am blessed to have had four mentors whose influence shaped my life in uniquely meaningful ways. I still consider my current relationship with two of them to be a mentoring relationship. They are Dr. Tony Campolo in Philadelphia and Dr. John Perkins in Mississippi. Although I see them infrequently, I recall their voice, rely on their counsel and relish the way they nurtured me.
These people have had such a big impact on my life because...
Dr. Campolo has been my mentor since 1982. I was a recent immigrant from Lebanon at that time. My wife and I were newlyweds, and we moved from Iowa to Philadelphia to spend two years learning from, and apprenticing with, Dr. Campolo. Although his influence on us is far reaching, I can summarize it in the words “go where you’re most needed.” He showed us how we might make our everyday choices through the lens of how they might impact others. These decisions included where to accept jobs, buy a house, attend a church or enroll our children in school. Making these choices with an eye on their impact not only on our family, but others as well, continues to be a focusing lens for us.
Why is mentoring important for everyone?
Mentoring is the air that we breathe. Although it is occasionally deliberate and strategic, it is always personal and relational. We are made for life together, and as such, we are always shaped by our communities, and we are shaping them along the way. That is a privilege and a responsibility all at once.
A message for my mentor...
Tony and John, it is impossible for me to imagine my life without your influence. Your fingerprints are all over the work that I do, the values that I have and the faith that I hold. And I am so thankful for you.
