On Saturday, October 26, 2024, MentorMe of West Michigan invited the Community to Celebration Cinema Rivertown in Grandville for a powerful and inspiring free viewing of The Forge. This movie, produced by the Kendrick Brothers—famous for their moving, faith-based films like War Room, Overcomer, Courageous, and Fireproof—delivers a strong message of the importance of making disciples and The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
MentorMe’s commitment to sharing this message with the West Michigan Community was clearly evident in the passion, dedication and teamwork that made this event possible.
Nearly 800 individuals attended the movie! Eight showtimes allowed people of all ages to experience the film. Natalie Oliver, a Mentor herself, along with other dedicated MentorMe staff, ensured everything ran smoothly and that everyone felt welcomed and engaged. "The day flew by," Natalie commented, reflecting on the joy and energy that filled the theater from this powerful movie.
Leading up to the event, the MentorMe Team worked hard to spread the word. They handed out flyers in Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Grand Rapids, sharing the event details with local churches, coffee shops, community centers and social media. Over 100 people from outside the Grand Rapids area attended, with 80+ attendees coming from the Kalamazoo area alone and another 50 from Muskegon.
The event inspired deep connections and meaningful conversations. A grandmother, Rosie Donahue, came with seven of her grandchildren, eager to learn more about MentorMe’s mission and expressed interest in involving her family in the program. “There were so many people whose hearts were touched by the film’s message and who wanted to get involved,” Natalie shared. The MentorMe Team collected contact information from almost 40 attendees who showed interest in becoming mentors or referring someone for mentorship.
One particularly moving aspect of The Forge was the impact it had on Natalie’s Students she currently Mentors. One of her teen girls was deeply moved by its powerful message of hope and healing. This Student, who has faced significant personal challenges, found inspiration in the themes of the film, reinforcing her journey toward recovery and strength. Natalie reflected on her ongoing journey with this Student, recalling a recent intense moment when they worked together through a traumatic episode. “It’s a journey of guiding her closer to Jesus and helping her break free from past struggles,” Natalie explained. Watching the movie together became another meaningful step in her healing journey, filled with renewed hope and support.
Meanwhile, another of Natalie’s Students, a vibrant 13-year-old who loves sports and poetry, also viewed the movie and has continued to blossom in her confidence and resilience. This young girl, who faced her own unique challenges growing up in a difficult family situation, has become a leader in her school’s volleyball team and recently joined a poetry group. She even plans to share one of her poems publicly. The opportunity to attend positive community events like The Forge has been instrumental in her journey, as she learns to embrace her gifts, trust others, and lean into the supportive relationships MentorMe provides.
The success of The Forge event extends beyond just those who attended. The MentorMe Team was encouraged by the overwhelming response from people interested in supporting the organization. Donations were collected in popcorn buckets, and attendees eagerly asked how they could get involved. Some guests showed interest in supporting MentorMe financially, while others expressed interest in getting involved directly with the Ministry. This outpouring community interest was a testament to MentorMe’s growing impact in West Michigan.
For MentorMe, the event also highlighted the importance of engaging entire families and communities in the process. Natalie noted the impact of MentorMe goes beyond just the students—it touches the lives of parents, guardians and staff. Moving forward, MentorMe plans to focus on engaging families more deeply in 2025. Natalie shared that the vision includes more regular interactions with parents and caregivers, as strengthening the home environment is essential to supporting each child’s journey. “Changing a home life can change a soul and an entire generation,” she explained. This event showed the powerful ripple effect of community-centered outreach, where each family member can be impacted by the hope, love and faith that MentorMe brings.
MentorMe of West Michigan, founded in November of 2021, by Todd Ponstein, along with the entire Ministry Team, are deeply committed to walking alongside Students in need. Todd gave a short Thank You in each theatre after the movie ended, and shared about MentorMe. There was a sense of unity and shared purpose through this Community Event. Natalie highlighted how her involvement in MentorMe of West Michigan has deepened her relationships with other teammates, creating a tightly-knit community that reflects the love of Jesus Christ. She’s developed close friendships within the ministry team and has been inspired by all involved. "The combination of all these people and being involved in MentorMe has shown me what true Community in Christ looks like," Natalie shared.
As the day drew to a close, it was clear that The Forge had sparked something greater than a one-time event. For MentorMe and the hundreds who attended this event, the day was a reminder of the power of faith, the importance of mentorship and the beauty of community. With each event they host, MentorMe expands its reach, inspiring more people to join the mission of guiding youth and families towards hope, healing and the transformative love of Jesus.
MentorMe's vision for the future continues to be filled with hope and anticipation, in seeing lives changed for the glory of God, as they have dreams of expanding MentorMe’s reach to places like Kalamazoo and other areas outside of West Michigan. “There are so many kids out there who need the hope and support that MentorMe provides,” Natalie commented.
We want to specifically thank our sponsors who made this free event possible for all who attended! Health Care Associates, Innerspace Mini Storage, VanManan Petroleum Group and Windpoint Realty.
Please prayerfully consider supporting and/or becoming a team member with MentorMe of West Michigan and impact lives for eternity. More information and donation opportunity can be found at www.mentormewestmi.org
Joshua Holtrop
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