Mentoring Men on Indy's East Side: Pastor Leads Iron Men's Program

From faith to everyday life skills, Pastor Kenneth Sullivan Jr. is helping men in his east side Indianapolis community grow stronger through hands-on mentorship and practical training.

Sullivan, senior pastor at New Direction Church, located near 42nd and Sherman Drive, leads the church's Iron Men's Mentorship Program, which targets young men who often lack male role models at home.

"When I was younger, I made a lot of mistakes, and so I just really feel there is an obligation to pour back, to give back and to lift up," Sullivan said.

The program focuses on building men and providing them with the skills they need to succeed in life. Aaron Harris, one of the young men being mentored, credits the program with helping him grow personally.

"Growing up in a household where your father's not there, it's kind of hard to get advice on how to live and things like that, dating life... We learn how to what to say in our dating lives, how to treat our women, we learn how to maintenance our house and all types of different things, so it's just amazing," Harris said.

Harris is already seeing the positive impact of the program. "I went home and I was like, 'Well, I'm not just gonna cut the grass, I'm gonna trim the bushes. I'm gonna clean the sidewalk.' So it really inspired me," he said.

The men meet every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Sullivan reports that they have already accomplished significant goals during the summer session. "We taught guys how to tie tires, how to change tires, how to clean filters at home and change them. We went out into the community and cleaned up the curbs, in the streets of litter, of weeds, overgrown grassy areas, and it's a chance for the guys to get their hands dirty," he said.

Harris is taking his involvement one step further, hoping to follow in Sullivan's footsteps. He completed the church's minister in training program and now works for the church creating content.

"Working with Pastor Sullivan, he's like a father to me way more than a mentor. It's really a blessing to be under him for, to be taught by him, walking in his footsteps, growing in leadership, and even as a young man, I really appreciate it," Harris said.

The Iron Men's Mentorship Program is open to the public and meets each Wednesday at New Direction Church. In October and November, Sullivan plans to expand the program with more hands-on mentoring activities like changing tires and home maintenance training.