A new partnership initiative will link church and ministry leaders to mentors to grow and develop their leadership skills.

CPAS, Evangelical Alliance and Stewardship have joined together to provide an online gateway for connecting leaders that are looking for mentors with skilled and selected mentors.

Mentor Connect was launched due to the difficulties that many were having to find someone suitable. It is designed for those in leadership positions or area leadership roles within churches and those in senior leadership of Christian organisations.

"Many Christian leaders are excited about the opportunities for mission and ministry the Church has at this time, but they can also be daunted by the increasing expectations on them or feel isolated," said Roger Sutton of the Evangelical Alliance. "Mentoring is one way of providing a supportive and encouraging environment. Focused around development, mentoring provides space for reflection, growth, learning, support, encouragement, perspective and accountability."

Mentor Connect focuses its mentoring on three areas: personal development, missional leadership and leading well with others, and has aims of developing leaders and growing churches.

Through the website potential mentees can connect with carefully selected mentors, read their profiles, and approach them.

One mentee said: "It is such a gift to meet and talk through things that are on my heart and mind, and be able to gain from the experience of my mentor."

James Lawence from CPAS (pictured) said: "Personally, I know the benefit of being mentored but also know the struggle it is to find a mentor. Three tips on finding a good mentor;be prayerful –this is at the heart of the process, be specific –the easier that makes it to find a good match and be persistent - because when you do find a good mentor it will make a massive difference because it is a relationship focused on your development."