Finding your ‘Dave’: The power of mentorship in life and faith
As a longtime Seattle Mariners fan, my most memorable birthday occurred three years ago. I was privileged to spend an inning in the broadcast booth at T-Mobile Park with the Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs. Having long admired Rick, this unique opportunity was indeed a thrill. He is a class act!
As a 12-year-old, Rick, a native of Blue Island, grew up watching the Cubs in the afternoon on TV and watching the White Sox at night. With a dream of becoming a sportscaster, he turned down the volume and pretended to be Jack Brickhouse and Bob Elson. His dream came true in 1983 when he became part of the Seattle Mariners broadcast team.
Last month, Rick signed off as the play-by-play announcer for the Mariners with an emotional farewell for fans. In his poignant remarks, he paid tribute to Dave Niehaus, the legendary Mariners’ broadcaster who hired Rick as his assistant in 1983. Rick acknowledged that his colleague of some 25 years was primarily responsible for his storied career in Seattle.
For Rick Rizzs, Dave Niehaus meant everything. Sixteen years after the hall-of-fame broadcaster’s death, Rick continues to sing the praises of his mentor and friend. There is no doubt that the younger announcer believes he found his voice by working side-by-side with his elder.
As I heard Rick chronicle the beginning of his career with the Mariners, it dawned on me that 1983 was also a milestone year for me. That was the year I was called to my first church after completing my seminary degree. It was also the year I became a father for the first time.
Like Rick, I, too, am grateful for those in my life who served as mentors both in terms of my pastoral career but also when it came to being a dad. My father was one of those primary cheerleaders who encouraged me in both arenas. But like Rick Rizzs, I actually had a couple of “Daves” who opened doors for me.
David McKenna was president of Seattle Pacific University when I was an undergraduate. He hired me upon graduation to work on staff at my alma mater. For six decades Dave has invested in my life. Now, at 97 years old, my longtime mentor still follows my ministry with interest. He challenges me with thoughtful questions as we meet for coffee on a regular basis.
David Mains was another “Dave” in my life. This beloved author and radio pastor was someone I had admired early in my pastoral career. Back then I couldn’t have known when I first listened to David on “The Chapel of the Air” radio broadcast that he would one day offer me a job.
Five of the most meaningful years in my ministry were spent learning from David as we’d travel the country meeting pastors and church leaders. David believed in my potential and celebrated my creativity when others didn’t. He opened doors of opportunity for me as a young cleric, for which I will always be grateful.
There is another young Christian minister I know of who credited his success to a “Dave.” Like me, the person to whom I’m referring was of Greek ancestry. His relationship to his mentor is documented in the pages of the New Testament. Timothy’s “Dave” was an older pastor by the name of Paul. In much the same way that Dave Niehaus came alongside Rick Rizzs, Paul sat next to Timothy as together they voiced a message of good news to those who listened to what they had to say.
Within the Judeo-Christian faith, mentors play a huge role. They are a significant means by which a person accomplishes their God-ordained purpose. Moses served as a mentor to Joshua, Naomi was one to Ruth and Elijah was a mentor to Elisha. Even more examples are found in Holy Scripture. In each case a younger person with potential is encouraged and tutored by an older more experienced friend.
So who has been a “Dave” in your life? Have you acknowledged them as such? And then, to whom might you be a “Dave”? There is much you have to offer if you are willing to invest your time, experience and wisdom.
• The Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos is a former Naperville resident who writes about faith and family.