Jorge Rodriguez

Mentor, model, pastor, father figure. My uncle, Jorge Rodriguez, played a very special role in my life as my mentor, model, father figure and eventually a pastor.

I remember vividly how every afternoon he took time to help me with my homework and especially with school projects. Back then there was no technology as we have today. There were no computers or of course Google or any search engines. Searches for topics were done in libraries and, if you were lucky, in the encyclopedia that was on a corner shelf in the house without ever being updated.

Tracing

For the school projects, my uncle taught me the technique of drawing called “tracing”. This technique consists of placing a paper that had a certain degree of transparency on the original to be reproduced and drawing the lines until an accurate drawing of the original was achieved. My projects were perfect! Believe me, they were! But, please do not criticize me, it is the same technique of “copy and paste” used today. ?

It was my uncle, that when he accepted Christ as his Savior, took on the task of sharing the gospel and discipling me. At every opportunity he was telling me about Christ and how He had changed his life. He was still my mentor, my model, my father figure, but now I was seeing Christ in his life. He was always present in my life but now reflecting the love and grace of Christ towards me.

Later my uncle was ordained as pastor of a church that we planted near my hometown in Puerto Rico. Like Paul to Timothy, my uncle Jorge was for me. Now that I look back, I can see that he was “tracing” his image as a follower of Christ in my life. First as my uncle and then as my pastor, my mentor, model and father figure.

Can Christ be seen in you?

Dads, are you being an example, model, mentors for your children? Do they see Christ through your words and actions? Paul’s words to the Corinthian church come to mind: “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11: 1 (NLT).

As parents we have a great responsibility towards our children and their children … our grandchildren. You should not walk alone. You also need a mentor, a model that helps you and supports you to fulfill your role as a dad, or mom. Abiding Fathers is here to help you walk as a dad. Contact us to learn more about the ministry; hardback and online curriculum, workshops, conferences and more.