OVERVIEW
As part of the commitment of Harvester Christian Church to developing future church leaders, The Merold Institute of Ministry partners with HCC to offer ministry internships. These short-term, full-time, summer experiences play a vital role for those considering ministry as a calling and vocation. The program offers a unique design that consists of three specific emphases.
MINISTRY EMPHASIS
Interns will serve with an experienced pastor as a mentor, learning about ministry in real time in a real context. This relationship forms the backbone of the entire experience as the majority of time will be spent mentors. Interns participate (when possible and appropriate) in the day-to-day ministry experiences with the mentor: planning, budgeting, meetings, prep, evaluation, study, and of course, weekend experiences. Interns experience the full range of ministry, which can be joyful, fun, satisfying, intense, exhausting, frustrating, overwhelming, and even mundane.
2024 Mentors
Note: To ensure a quality experience, each mentor will only invite one intern into the program. For more information on mentors, visit the HCC staff page at https://harvester.cc/about-us/meet-the-staff/.
Carissa Figgins | Local Outreach Pastor. Carissa serves as the Local Outreach Pastor at Harvester. She has a wealth of experience working with non-profits, community initiatives, and church ministries. Interns will learn how to take the biblical command to “love your neighbor” into the community through forging strategic partnerships, connecting the church to those in need, and recruiting leaders.
Matt Porritt | Middle School Pastor. While Matt works specifically with the middle school ministry, he also leads the student ministry team. Interns will learn planning, programming, teaching, leading meetings, student relational skills, working with volunteers, and more.
Sam Skaggs | High School Pastor. Sam leads the high school ministry for HCC. He has a background in film and worship, which brings a unique approach to ministry. Interns will engage in planning, volunteer recruitment, programming, student relational skills, and much more.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EMPHASIS
Interns participate in a weekly leadership development training. All interns in the program come together each week for a time of prayer, encouragement, debriefing, learning, and discussion. These training times build leadership knowledge and skills while challenging participants to stretch themselves in leadership. Other leadership development experiences are planned throughout the summer for the group of interns. Along with these training times, all interns regularly meet individually with the internship directors for feedback, discussion, and debriefing.
Dr. Don Sanders, Director of the Merold Institute, serves as the Internship Director and leads the leadership development emphasis.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION EMPHASIS
We want to encourage and equip interns for a lifetime of spiritual formation as a foundation of their ministry. Interns will not just learn about spiritual formation theory, but engage in practices that form heart, mind, and will. Focus will be given to daily practices along with group activities and renewal days.
Jeni Voss, HCC Care Pastor, serves as Co-Director of Internship and leads the spiritual formation emphasis.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Internships are for undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of college (ages 20-25). Preference will be given to someone considering full time ministry.
Requirements:
- Must sign our philosophy of ministry
- Must be from an evangelical church
- Must pass a background check
- Must be willing to commit to the length of the program
- Must have your own transportation
**Each intern will sign a personalized Learning Covenant. It will include any educational requirements from the intern’s college and all Harvester Christian Church requirements and expectations.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Harvester Christian Church will provide the following for those invited into the program:
- Interaction with a professional and caring staff
- Weekly contact and personal attention from the intern supervisor and your mentor
- Fulfillment of any educational requirement for your internship
- A host family to stay with during your internship (for single interns only)
- A weekly salary of $500 is provided
IMPORTANT DATES
- FEB 15 | Application Deadline
- MAR 1 | Selections Complete
- MAY 18 | Internships Begin
- AUG 4 | Internships Conclude
HOW TO APPLY?
Click here to fill out an application today!
Got questions? Contact Don Sanders, Director, The Merold Institute of Ministry. 636.928.7651