Flourishing through mentorship (Gavyn Cirricione, BA ’27)

The fast-paced life at Fresno Pacific University often brings new challenges to incoming freshmen, but Gavyn Cirricione was able to flourish due to help from a mentor.

Gavyn’s mentor was Jordan Greynolds, discipleship and outreach coordinator in the Office of Spiritual Formation and the main leader of Fellaship, an FPU-based group with the goal of helping young men grow in their faith. “He took me under his wing,” says Gavyn. “He helped me grow in my understanding of God and was there for me when I had questions.” Most important, Gavyn often prays with Jordan, helping him through difficult times of stress, distraction and busyness.

“It’s been a pleasure getting to do ministry with Gavyn,” Jordan says. “He has a heart for reaching others with the Good News of Jesus and he carries himself in such a way that all who encounter him encounter the love, care and patience of Jesus. It’s an honor to get to pour into him because you know that when you do, your efforts will be multiplied by all those he is going to pour into as well.”

While being guided Gavyn is also guiding others, becoming a peer mentor his sophomore year. “Freshman year of college is not easy at all and can be scary, so I want to be able to be there for freshmen and help them in any way I can,” he says.

Gavyn enjoys being a mentor because of the positive influence he can have on the lives of others. 

“I can be a light and example to them for God. He put me on this earth and gave me this opportunity for a reason, so I want to glorify him through my mentoring and show the freshmen that Jesus is the only way,” 

he says, “I was a freshman once in their position, so I feel like I have experience that can help guide them through their first year of college.”

As Gavyn reflects on his work with new students, he says: “So far, I have seen growth in those I mentor, and it has been fun to be by their side as they figure out their way through their different journeys.” Gavyn enjoys mentoring others and wants to continue to serve other students just like Jordan Greynolds helped him.