Mentoring Young Entrepreneurs with God

What if mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs is simpler than we think?

In a recent Heaven in Business conversation, Andy Mason sat down with Nick and Molly Pastermack, entrepreneurs, business owners, and Entrepreneurs in Residence at Taylor University, to talk about faith, business, students, hospitality, and what God is doing on college campuses. Their story is a beautiful picture of what happens when experienced business leaders say yes to God, open their lives, and make room for young entrepreneurs to grow. 

Listen to the Podcast: Heaven in Business Podcast

Nick and Molly did not set out to build a formal ministry to students. They were business owners managing multiple companies, living comfortably in Florida, and enjoying life as empty nesters. Then Taylor University invited them to speak. One invitation became another. Eventually, they were asked to consider becoming Entrepreneurs in Residence.

Their first response was not an enthusiastic yes. Indiana was not exactly on their dream list. But the Holy Spirit kept pressing on the invitation.

And that is often how partnering with God begins, not with a five-year strategic plan, but with a nudge we cannot shake.

Business as a Platform for Kingdom Impact

Nick and Molly’s business journey started with scooping ice cream nearly three decades ago. Since then, they have launched, acquired, sold, and operated multiple businesses across several states. But their passion is not simply building profitable companies. Their deeper passion is creating life-giving businesses that bless employees, partners, and communities.

One of their practical models is turning managers into partners. Instead of simply hiring people to run the business, they invite trusted leaders to buy in and become owners. That changes the way people lead. It creates ownership, responsibility, and spiritual authority in the communities where those businesses operate.

This is kingdom business in action. It is not just making money and giving some away later. It is building businesses where the Kingdom of God shows up through leadership, culture, decisions, prayer, generosity, and the development of people.

Mentorship Starts with Hospitality

One of the most refreshing parts of Nick and Molly’s story is how simple their mentoring model is: 

• They opened their home
• They made pancakes
• They fed students
• They made themselves available

Students started showing up on Saturdays, then they wanted coffee, then lunch. Then conversations about faith, business, relationships, calling, and life. What began as hospitality became discipleship.

One student described the kind of life he wanted to live as “interruptible.” That word captures so much of what mentoring requires. You do not need a perfect curriculum, a large platform, or an official title to impact the next generation. You need availability, authenticity, and a willingness to let people into your life.

Sometimes the most powerful business mentorship happens around a kitchen table.

Students Are Hungry for Real Faith at Work

At Taylor University, Nick and Molly teach transformational entrepreneurship. Their class is not just about starting companies. It is about helping students think differently about business, value creation, community impact, and hearing God.

Many students have grown up understanding Scripture, but they have not always seen business leaders actively partnering with the Holy Spirit in real-time decisions. When Nick and Molly brought students to a Heaven in Business conference, the students saw Christian business owners praying, discerning, leading, and making business decisions with God.

That exposure mattered.

The students realized that “heaven” and “business” belong together. They saw that faith and business are not theory. It is practical. It affects how we hire, lead, solve problems, treat employees, and respond when things get hard.

For young entrepreneurs, that kind of model is priceless.

You Do Not Need a Campus to Start

Not everyone will become an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at a university. Not everyone has access to a college campus. But everyone can ask a simple question:

Holy Spirit, who is around me that I can encourage?

Nick and Molly shared how, before Taylor, they hosted “Nugget Night” for young adults connected to their local church. They served chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese, played games, answered life questions, and created space for young people to belong.

It was not complicated. It was hospitality.

You can invite someone to lunch after church. You can meet a young entrepreneur for coffee. You can offer to pray with a student. You can share honestly about your business wins and failures. You can sponsor a student to attend a conference. You can open a door for someone who needs encouragement.

Mentoring young entrepreneurs with God begins with availability.

The Next Generation Needs Mothers and Fathers in Business

Andy referenced a powerful principle from Numbers 8, where the Levites shifted at age 50 from the heavy lifting of the sanctuary work into a role of assisting, guarding, and supporting. There is a picture here for seasoned business leaders.

There comes a time when your greatest Kingdom impact may not come only from doing more yourself. It may come from helping others rise.

There are young entrepreneurs full of vision, courage, and energy. They are willing to dream. They are willing to take risks. They are hungry for authenticity. But they need models. They need spiritual mothers and fathers. They need people who will say, “You can do this. God is with you. Let me help you think this through.”

The next generation is not a problem to complain about. They are an opportunity to invest in.

Practical Ways to Start Mentoring Young Entrepreneurs

Here are a few simple ways to begin:

1. Open your table.
   Invite a student, young professional, or emerging entrepreneur to a meal. Ask good questions. Listen well. Pray with them.
2. Share real business stories.
   Do not just share polished success stories. Talk about decisions, failures, risk, conflict, reconciliation, and how God met you in the process.
3. Make faith practical.
   Show what it looks like to hear God at work. Let younger leaders see how you pray, discern, lead, and make decisions in business.
4. Create access.
   Bring young entrepreneurs to business gatherings, conferences, or meetings where they can see Kingdom-minded leadership modeled.
5. Be a cheerleader.
   Encouragement is powerful. Many young leaders simply need someone to believe in them and help them take the next faithful step.

A Simple Challenge

There is always someone discipling the next generation. The question is whether we will be part of the solution.

Ask the Holy Spirit this week:

Who is one young entrepreneur, student, or emerging leader I can encourage?

Then take a practical step. Send the message. Buy the lunch. Open your home. Offer prayer. Share your story.

You may be surprised at what God does with a simple yes.

Next Steps:

1. Connect and collaborate directly with Nick and Molly through email: [email protected] or [email protected]

2. Bring your student to the next Heaven in Business Conference in Dallas, TX, August 26-28: Heaven in Business Conference

3. Sponsor a student by contacting: [email protected] or Nick and Molly