Probably not emphasized enough is that God often used people in their youth to further His purposes for their day. At MelNet, we hold it true that God can call young people into business – and even where these may not have manifested, The Seed of God is alive in the young man or woman who has committed to walking in the ways of God. Joseph, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Josiah and Timothy all exemplify God using the youth to advance His Kingdom in the earth.
Daniel 1
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility – 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. [b]
Jeremiah 1 (NIV)
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
God exhorts Jeremiah not to see himself as “only a youth” – He was going to work through him, his youth notwithstanding. A similar exhortation is made to Timothy
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Joseph was 30 years when he entered the king’s service – meaning all the interactions he had with God (at Potiphar’s house, in prison…) were all in his youth. Jesus was 12 when he amazed the teachers of the Law in the temple courts by his great understanding. Josiah was only 8 years when he became king; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and eventually instituted great reforms in the land.
Mentoring Aspiring Christian Entrepreneurs (MACE)
In 1 John 2:13-14 the young men (and women) are directed on how they can be victorious in their walk with God – by living according to the Word of God. MACE is a program that seeks to empower aspiring Christian Entrepreneurs while still in their formative years to inculcate the Word in all their life – and thereby experience the victory which is inevitable when one walks with God.
I write to you young men, because you have overcome the wicked one…
I have written to you young men, because you are strong, the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one!
Cross-Generational Nature of Divine Purpose
Since God’s purpose transcends time, continuation of His work to the next generation is of great value to Him.
Hebrews 1
17 [b]In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed[1] with an oath.
Heirs – points to an inheritance – something of value passed on to the next generation. God swears to Abraham that He will bless him and multiply him (give him many descendants). God is doing all this because He has a cross-generation purpose and He trusts Abraham’s capacity to successfully hand this over to the next generation. (Genesis 18:19).
David has this image of young people as arrows carrying our values into the future (Psalm 127).
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
In today’s rapidly changing world, there is a growing need for young entrepreneurs who are not only innovative and business-savvy but also grounded in purpose, integrity, and faith. While universities offer academic training and entrepreneurship hubs, few spaces exist for Christian students to explore how their faith intersects with enterprise.
MACE seeks to nurture and mentor Christian students with entrepreneurial aspirations, equipping them to build businesses that reflect Kingdom values, serve communities, and bring glory to God.
Objectives
To provide a platform where Christian students learn how to integrate faith with business
To offer mentorship and discipleship for aspiring entrepreneurs
To teach practical business and leadership skills in a biblical context
To build a community of like-minded students who support each other in launching impactful ventures