Mentor Handbook

How we walk with women.

This handbook is the operating standard for every Chayil mentor. Read it before your first assignment. Re-read it every quarter. If anything here is unclear, escalate to your Chayil Leader before you act.

Vision of Chayil

Chayil exists to reach women carrying pain, confusion, fear or rejection — to walk them into healing, build them in identity, lead them into freedom, plant them in sisterhood, and release them into purpose.

We are not a counselling service. We are not a small group. We are a sisterhood under the Lordship of Christ, helping women rediscover the strength God put in them.

What a Chayil Mentor IS

A sister a few steps ahead, walking with a woman who is where you used to be.
A disciple of Jesus, submitted to local church leadership.
A faithful listener — usually weekly, for at least six months.
A prayer warrior for the woman in front of you.
An honest mirror who asks the hard questions in love.
A safeguarding-aware adult who knows when to escalate.

What a Chayil Mentor IS NOT

Not a counsellor, therapist, doctor, lawyer, or financial adviser. Refer when needed.
Not a rescuer. You point her to Jesus; you do not save her.
Not a friend with no boundaries. You are an accountable mentor with a clear role.
Not a secret-keeper for safeguarding concerns — those are always escalated.

Boundaries

Meet in public, on video, or in a church-approved space. Never one-to-one in a private home alone.
Keep contact at agreed times. Don't blur into late-night messaging.
Same-gender mentoring only. Women mentor women in Chayil.
No financial transactions, no romantic involvement, no business deals.
If you feel pulled out of your depth, escalate to your Chayil Leader.

Confidentiality

What is shared in mentoring is confidential — except where safeguarding requires escalation. Make this clear at the start of every relationship.

Notes you keep in Chayil are private to you, senior mentors and Chayil leaders. Never copy notes outside the system.

When you must escalate immediately

Any disclosure of abuse — past or present.
Any mention of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Any safeguarding concern about a child or vulnerable adult.
Any threat to her safety from another person.
Any situation where you feel out of your depth.

Mentor Commitment Agreement

By taking on a Chayil mentoring assignment I commit to: walking faithfully with my sister for at least six months; meeting weekly or as agreed; praying for her daily; keeping our conversations confidential within Chayil's safeguarding boundaries; escalating risk immediately; submitting to my Chayil Leader; and modelling the love of Jesus in everything I do.