INTERN SUMMIT

Thursday afternoon, I headed down to Portland Bible College to collaborate with a few other invited churches from around the nation and Canada about internship programs. Just coming off of our graduating our ninth class, I was stoked!

Thursday night was an amazing start to the Intern Summit. I got to meet Ken Malmin who instructs several of our CLTI classes (Bible School). God gave him the vision to bring us together for this time. There were about 30 people in all. I met Greg and Tami, the intern coordinators from The Father’s House in Vacaville, Jonathan from Bethany Church (Jonathan Stockstill’s), Mark from New York, Ben from The Church at South Las Vegas (Benny and Wendy Perez), coordinators from The City Church San Diego, New Mexico, British Columbia and so many more. We went late into the evening and started early Friday morning.

To say I had a fantastic time would be a gross understatement. I was able to give some great input and believe I (I mean The Rock Church) really impacted every church present. We talked about everything from housing, tuition to classes and discipline. We are on the right track, people! I was absolutely blessed to see we were one of the top three (I believe) internship programs in the nation.

Rory joined me for the Friday sessions and helped gather and provide yet more information and ideas.

The world puts a fence around our young adults and tells them, “This is how you can be.” We tear those fences down and say, “Let’s see what you are capable of.” The Quarry, our internship program is about raising up not just young adults who want to go into full-time ministry but about raising up Kingdom Leaders. Those who are successful, have a strong foundation, confident in their call and character to succeed in every area of life. Whether it’s career, home, college or full-time ministry, God’s plan is the local church and there is no reason why our young adults cannot get that foundation right here at home.

What is even cooler is our students earn college credit while in the program so they are not missing out on starting college with others their age.

Our program has three years. First year internship, second year apprenticeship and third year leadership (full-time ministry). Why second and third years? First off, first and second years are for everyone. Secondly, statistics show, young adults who completed a one-year internship program stay in the church and with Christ 50% of the time whereas those who go through two years have a 90% rate of staying in church and with Christ. We want our young adults to win and we want them to have fruit that remains!

I am fired up. If you have a young person who is between the ages of just graduated and 22, get them in this program.

I heard there is even ministry development on a race team. Can we really do this in church?