I was a terror as a teenager...

Okay, I wasn’t that bad. But my older sister was, of course, an angel and rarely left the house, while I was sneaking out to meet boys at 14. 😬 My mom would vent to my aunt about my rebellious ways, and my aunt would reassure her, “Leighton’s not the problem child... she’s just normal! What teenager doesn’t go through a rebellious stage?”

I had to learn things the hard way—or, should I say, MY way. Enter Mark and Terri Young, my fearless youth pastors and exactly the mentors I needed. 💫 For years, they managed to wrangle 20+ teens each week, including some wild “lock-ins” (if you know, you know 😉). They were about 20 years older than me, but when they spoke, I really listened.

My parents, bless their hearts, were teaching me the same things at home, but as a 15-year-old, anything labeled “mom and dad” was, well, irrelevant. 🙄 But mentorship changed my life. From then on, I always had a mentor—sometimes two, now many—to guide me closer to God and away from my own mistakes.

My transformative teen years didn’t happen by chance. My parents probably seemed like the “enemy” in my rebellious mind (sorry, mom and dad—99.99% of teens feel the same, right?). But thank God He strategically placed mentors in my life who had the wisdom I needed. 🙏

Now, my heart's desire is to pass this gift of mentorship to you, my younger sistas! 💛 You don’t have to walk through life alone or make the same mistakes I did. Having a mentor who has "been there, done that," and who allows Jesus to speak through them is a priceless gift. 💎

For God has so much to say to you, His precious daughter! ✨

DOWNLOAD A FREE CHAPTER!

I'd love to give you a free session of the More Precious Than Pearls biblical mentorship curriculum! Download Session 6 on Dating and Relationship to check out the layout, format, and curriculum breakdown. Try it out on your own, with a small group, or with a mentor!

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE EXCERPT

We all need a spiritual mother. We all need a mentor.

At Pray Her Forward, we understand the importance of being part of the Body of Christ—both as mentees and mentors. We’re a community that fosters mentorship and fellowship, bringing women of all ages together to lift each other up in Christ.

We create a space for vulnerability, where you can share, listen, and ask, "But how are you really?" Whether you're navigating the challenges of late teens or early twenties, mentorship is for you.

You are not alone in your struggles. Together, we grow, encourage, and support each other in faith.

Because You Are Precious!

You want me to write what, Lord?!​

It was May 2024, Pray Her Forward was two months old, and the Lord spoke to me. It wasn't audible, but I recognized His familiar still small voice. Our conversation went something like this:

​

God: "I want you to write to young women in a relatable voice about me. A voice that guides, encourages, and understands them."

​Me: YES! This is needed God, but I have no clue where to begin... I'm not qualified for this, and I don't consider myself a writer...

God: "Do it anyway."

​Me: Ummm, okay. But you're going to have to do this through me!

God: ​"Yes, that was always the plan."

​Me: Right, sorry. 😅 (I love God's sense of humor.)

​

So it began. I started writing... and writing... and writing. I took polls, did research, and prayed—a lot. I think I prayed so much because I felt totally unqualified, which helped me speak into this very topic across the twelve chapters of the curriculum. I learned how to replace unreliable and inconsistence feelings with the promises of God.

About four months later, it was complete. 260-something pages and 12-sessions later, I realized how much God has to say to His daughters. 🥹 I pray the stories, questions, Scriptures, goal-setting and prayer-writing guides bless you. I pray they give you the opportunity to work through some tough areas of life. More than anything, I pray you grow closer to Jesus in your every day walk.

Because you're worth it. In fact, you're priceless.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT IT!

Our Mission

  • To fulfill the third part of the Great Commission which is: “to teach believers to obey Jesus’s commands.” (Matthew 28:20)
  • To help young women navigate life through a Christian lens, inso sharpening their faith as iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs 27:17)
  • To pass on the experience of other women, thereby “teaching what is good” (Titus 2:3-5) and increasing Biblical knowledge.
  • To “shepherd the flock and be examples to them so as to partake in the glory that is to be revealed.” (1 Peter 5:1-5)
  • To provide mentees with counsel and advisers so that their plans succeed. (Proverbs 15:22)

Our Beliefs

  • There is only one true God as part of the Trinity (God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit). (2 Corinthians 13:14)
  • Jesus Christ, the Son of God, walked the earth, lived a blameless life, died on the Cross and rose again so that our sins would be forgiven. (Luke 23:33-46)
  • We are saved by professing with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believing in our hearts that He rose from the dead. (Romans 10:9-11)
  • We are saved by grace alone and not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-10)
  • Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Our Mentor + Mentee Agreement

1. Be ready to hear from God in sharing or receiving His wisdom

2. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and why you may be here

3. Be outspoken and curious; we welcome any and all questions

4. Be in a mindset to learn and share as you feel comfortable

5. Be on time, prepared, and present during mentorship sessions

6. Be respectful of other mentees and mentors when present

7. Be mindful of different backgrounds, upbringing, and beliefs

8. Be encouraged to discuss or share any concerns or feedback

9. Be reminded that we are all human; none of us are perfect

10. Be careful to respect confidentiality of conversations shared

"The world can seem dark and bleak at times, but thankfully we have Jesus who is a guiding light. These types of resources are absolutely pivotal in helping guide our children in the same loving, caring, and non-combative way Jesus has led us, all the while we get to help them to learn how to navigate the world to become the light we are called to be, too.

I saw this Kickstarter by happenstance on a random visit to the site to see what was around. I read about what the owner/founder was envisioning with this and felt it was the perfect accompaniment to my own personal life with my daughter. I backed this project for my wife and daughter to bond with and hope this will be something they can benefit from together, but mostly for my daughter to grow more than anything else.

I've had the honor to exchange a few emails with the owner and I'm sure this will be a positive and uplifting experience for my daughter. I believe this resource will be successful and known as a complementing addition to daily biblical reading for any growing young woman. If you're unsure if you should support this, don't give it another thought. Support it and be blessed while being a blessing to others!"

-Wil Liam, Customer Testimonial

The Significance of the Pearl

Why do pearls represent the foundation of Pray Her Forward? Our English word “pearl” is actually derived from Sanskrit, which means “pure.” Biblically, the concept of holiness carries the idea of purity with it. In the New Testament, the pearl is a symbol of Jesus’s perfection and His salvation. The pearl is also biblically symbolic of wisdom! Job 28:18 says “Coral and quartz are not worth mentioning. The price of wisdom is beyond pearls.”


The unique symbolism represented by the formation of a pearl is also fascinating. Pearls are formed from brokenness. When an irritant like a tiny piece of sand, shell, or bacteria, becomes trapped inside the shell of an oyster or mussel, layers of materials that make up its shell are secreted, and after months or years, form a perfectly magnificent pearl. This process also represents heaven, for through salvation and sanctification we may enter heaven through “twelve gates of twelve pearls” and “each gate is made of one single pearl” (Revelation 21:21).


Thus, the pearl seamlessly became the symbol for Pray Her Forward.

Q&A

Pray Her Forward is a ministry providing biblical mentorship guidance and resources for young women in Christ. We recently launched More Precious Than Pearls, our 262-page curriculum that includes 12 relevant topics on the most challenging issues girls and young women face. Pledge towards a copy of the curriculum on Kickstarter until May 23 (found under the "Book" tab). Starting on May 27, it will be available here on our site. We are currently working on an online community for mentors and mentees, so stay tuned for future resources!

The Curriculum is 262 pages, which includes 12 chapters or "sessions" focused on 12 different relatable topics. The beginning of the curriculum includes a Foreword, Welcome, and Guide to the Curriculum. Additionally, there is a Pre Self-Assessment before Session 1 and a Post Self-Assessment following Session 12 for assessing your progress and opportunities throughout your journey.

Each chapter of the curriculum includes a thoughtful invitation for wisdom, Scriptures, and a specific prayer, along with related resources such as Bible studies, books, and videos to deepen the experience. A session begins with a testimonial or relatable story from Leighton's experiences. You'll find “Pearls of Wisdom”—top tips and reminders drawn from real-life experience—as well as questions for both the mentor (or group leader) to ask the mentee and vice versa. Each section also features topical Bible study and application questions, space for intentional SMART goal setting around the mentee’s top three priorities, a relatable story or testimonial, guided journal prompts to help her record the desires of her heart and a specific prayer, and space to take notes, reflect, and track progress.

*Tip: download a free chapter above to view the format of a session!

The PHF Mentorship Curriculum is best for young women ages 12-25 who desire a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. It is for those who have a mentor, would like a mentor, are in a small group, or are simply looking for topical guidance from the wisdom in our pages through the help of the Holy Spirit.

The 12 topics included are:

  • More Precious than Pearls (Identity)
  • The Power of Prayer
  • Body Image, Acceptance, + Comparison
  • Stress, Anxiety, + Depression
  • Health + Wellness
  • Dating + Relationships
  • Sex, Purity, + Self-Control
  • Financial Stewardship
  • Choosing a Profession/ Finding Purpose
  • Idols + Temptation
  • Friendships + Fitting In
  • Balancing Life + Priorities

Bonus:

  • Setting SMART goals for personal and spiritual development
  • Guidance on writing out specific prayers

The PHF Curriculum includes 12 topics that can be reviewed weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly! Mentees may find that there is enough content to spend multiple sessions on one topic or session. Therefore, it is up to the mentee and mentor how long they would like to spend completing the curriculum. We recommend spending one month on each session, with at least two sessions per topic. You may consider assigning at-home reading and journaling between sessions followed by review with a mentor or leader to discuss what was learned.

Not necessarily, however, More Precious Than Pearls is designed for and best utilized with the guidance of a mentor, leader, coach, pastor, or teacher. The format includes material that is ideal for review alongside a mentor or small group for discussion with others. This is a great gift for a young woman who needs or desires mentorship, even if she does not yet have a mentor, as the book begins with guidance on asking, seeking, and knocking for a mentor through intentional prayer.

Great question! Many young women desire mentorship but do not yet have a mentor, which is okay! We encourage you to follow Matthew 7:7, which says, "Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you" as you seek mentorship. We believe God desires wise counsel for everyone, and if you are actively asking, seeking, and knocking, and praying, He will honor your ask! We encourage you to ask church leadership, neighbors, community members, parents, and friends if they could recommend someone who would be willing to meet with you as a mentor or guide. In the meantime, sign up for our virtual mentor waitlist here to mentor with Leighton in the future!

If you have any questions or concerns about your mentor and do not feel comfortable addressing it directly with him or her, please let a trusted adult know. A great place to start is a parent or guardian, a trusted family member or friend, or a church leader. Some mentees feel led to change mentors or meet with multiple mentors, so pray and ask for wisdom if you feel led in this way.

If your mentor ever says or does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or unsure, please don’t stay silent. Talk to a trusted adult right away, and if you need additional support, you can call the Focus on the Family Help Center at 1-855-771-HELP (4357).

Not necessarily! Although most mentors are older than their mentees, the goal is to find someone with more life experience who you can glean knowledge from. It is recommended that you seek mentorship from someone who has "gone before you" and has life experiences that you can learn and grow from. They also don't need to be "filled to the brim with wisdom," they just need to be someone who is willing to listen, lead, pray you forward, and be vulnerable so that you may grow in Christ together. Pray and ask God for the right mentor for you—He always knows what and who you need!

You are welcome here! We welcome mentees of all faith backgrounds to purchase and participate in the PHF mentorship curriculum. Our curriculum and teachings align with the Holy Bible, which is the spoken Word of God, and PHF identifies as non-denominational Christian. However, all are welcomed! You can read more about PHF’s mission, vision, and beliefs at the top of this page.

We hope that you are completely satisfied with your PHF purchase! However, if you have any questions or concerns about your order, please reach out to us on our Contact page.