Student.Church

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Student.Church

Student.Church provides congregational internships to students who are interested in a deeper experience of church life or pursuing a call to ministry. Interns are mentored by seasoned ministers as they explore the breadth of congregational ministry through a variety of learning experiences. On this web page you will find more information about the application process for students, the role of congregations in the support and nurture of interns, as well as CBF's resources for walking alongside both the student and church throughout the internship.

 
 

About Student.Church

Length of Internship: 10 weeks (this includes a required orientation and debriefing) starting mid/late May and ending early August

Orientation: This event builds community among all CBF Student.Church and Student.Go interns, while also training and preparing interns to enter into their internship equipped with new skills and resources. Orientation is required. Orientation is tentatively scheduled for May 23-25, 2023, and will be held in person in the Atlanta, GA, area.

Debriefing: Students end their internship at a formal debriefing typically held at a retreat called Selah Vie. This experience is a necessary part of the process of transitioning back into student or work life. Selah Vie is being planned as an in-person event for the first week of August 2023.

Summer Finances: Student.Church interns are paid a minimum of $1200 (1/2 from church internship site and 1/2 from CBF). In addition, CBF covers travel expenses to and from Orientation and Debriefing at Selah Vie and all costs associated with these events (if held in-person). The host church/site also covers housing (if needed) and expenses for all church-related activities while on the field.

Application Timeline: The application period for Summer 2023 opens December 1, 2022 and will remain open until all positions are filled.

Intern Application Information

Student.Church interns are characterized as:

  • Committed followers of Jesus.
  • Students enrolled in an undergraduate program and have completed at least one year.
  • Graduate students (including seminary students) enrolled in a master's level or higher degree program.
  • Individuals who may not be enrolled in college but are at least 18 years of age and exploring other vocational opportunities through the military, etc.
  • Individuals considering ministry as a life calling who would like to try on a ministerial identity.
  • Individuals who love the local church and want to serve others and gain leadership experience.

    Note: Students do not have to belong to a CBF partner congregation in order to participate.

    How do I apply?

    1. Begin by reading the Student.Church Internship Guide below for more details about the program.
    2. Complete the student application form. If you have any questions, please email our team. 

    3. If you have already approached a church about serving as their intern, you will be asked to include their information. If you have not identified a church in which to serve, you will be asked to specify in general your geographical, demographic and ministry preferences in terms of church placement. See list of current known opportunitites below and check back frequently for updates as new church applications are received.
    4. Ask three people to serve as references and have them complete the reference form. The references should be:
      • someone who has observed you in a ministry setting (ex. previous supervisor, campus pastor or youth group pastor)
      • a trusted adult (ex. previous boss, internship supervisor or deacon at church)
      • someone at your educational institution (ex. professor, advisor, staff or Resident Director)

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    Church Application Information

    Student.Church congregations are characterized as:

  • Churches that affiliate with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship through financial contributions, support of global mission personnel, participation in CBF events, programs, etc.
  • Churches that are seeking a relationship with CBF by actively engaging in conversation with CBF global staff, state and regional staff, or field personnel.
  • Churches that are looking for an opportunity to mentor young adults as they grow personally and professionally.
  • Churches that are already in conversation with a student to serve as their intern.
  • Churches that are open to having an intern placed in their setting.

    How do churches apply?

    1. Begin by reading the Student.Church Internship Guide above for more details about the program.
    2. Whether you are a returning or new applicant you will need to apply via the church application form.
    3. If you have already approached a young adult about serving as your intern, please include their information. If you have not identified someone to serve as your intern, you will be asked to specify in general what you are looking for and the type of work the intern will be doing.
    4. Churches may apply to host only one intern through the Student.Church program. After the deadline has passed and contingent on fund availability, additional interns may be requested/funded.

    If you have questions about the internship, contact our team .

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    Summer 2023 Church Opportunities

    First Baptist Church of Gainesville

    Gainesville, GA

    First Baptist Church of Gainesville is seeking a student.church intern who is discerning a call to local church ministry and interested in exploring that call through participation in a variety of ministries. FBCG is a larger CBF church in Northeast Georgia, about one hour north of Atlanta, and will offer an intern candidate the ability to pursue his/her ministry interests through intentional participation in youth and children ministry, music/worship planning, adult ministry and pastoral care. FBCG has a team of tenured ministers who are open to walking alongside you as you better discern your call to ministry and who are open to learn from you and the fresh perspective you may bring. Visit the church website at https://fbcgainesville.org.

    Williamsburg Baptist Church

    Williamsburg, VA

    Williamsburg Baptist is seeking an intern for Summer 2023 who is excited to bring their own unique gifts and creative energy to our small but vibrant and growing congregation. We are located in the heart of historic downtown Williamsburg, right across the street from the College of William and Mary, and our church can be described as liturgical in worship and progressive in theology and mission. We are an LGBTQ+ affirming, social justice-oriented church, rooted in the biblical vision of God’s liberating justice and peace. We sense the Holy Spirit at work among us in surprising ways in this vibrant season of life. New faces show up each week and they bring with them excitement and a passion for building a welcoming community of faith. There are lots of opportunities for you to develop pastoral skills in our context: worship leadership, technology and social media, Christian education and spiritual formation, children and youth, music, pastoral care, and mission are all possibilities. We believe that we are called to serve as a “classroom” for you as you explore God’s calling in your life. We are convinced that even as you learn and grow in pastoral skills among us, you will inevitably transform us for the better, as well! Visit the church website at https://www.williamsburgbaptist.com.

    Brunswick Islands Baptist Church

    Supply, NC

    A Youth and Children's Summer Intern would assist with weekly ministry to youth and children on Sundays and Wednesdays and other special opportunities throughout the summer. Serve as a chaperone on a children's camp and youth camp. Worship leadership opportunities would be available on Sunday mornings during worship based on the skill sets and interest of the intern. Brunswick Islands Baptist Church is located approximately 5 miles from Holden Beach, NC. We do have a larger senior population due to our resort area but we do have a smaller but faithful number of youth and children. This would be a great opportunity for an intern to enjoy the beach and all that this area offers while also enjoying and growing from ministry opportunities as well. Visit the church website at http://brunswickislandsbaptist.com.

    Taylorsville First Baptist Church

    Taylorsville, NC

    Taylorsville First Baptist Church is a small, dually aligned SBC/CBF congregation in the county seat town in Alexander County. Although Alexander County is a mostly rural county with farming and the furniture industry as the leading employers, FBC is located about half an hour from larger cities and an hour from Charlotte, NC.

    Taylorsville First Baptist Church is seeking an intern to assist with ministering to the whole church with a primary focus on the children and youth. The intern would facilitate or lead weekly children/youth or adult Bible studies, participate in the weekly worship service, help plan and lead monthly youth and children “fun” events, give a weekly devotion to our day care, visit shut-ins and hospitals as needed, etc. He or she will report to the pastor and work alongside the pastor in this ministry opportunity. Visit the church website at https://www.taylorsvillefirstbaptist.com.

    Oakland Baptist Church

    Rock Hill, SC

    Oakland Baptist Church, a theologically moderate church located in Rock Hill, SC, is seeking a summer student intern to lead ministries with children and youth. Oakland Baptist is a member of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. We are a church that values relationships, spiritual growth in Christ, and missions. This summer intern will be responsible for providing creative ministries for our children and youth including bible studies and chaperoning retreats/camps. There is also opportunity to teach Sunday School and lead in worship, including preaching. Please send an inquiry to jhayes@oaklandchurch.com. Visit the church website at https://www.oaklandchurch.com.

    Weatherly Heights Baptist Church

    Huntsville, AL

    The WHBC Ministry Intern will serve the congregation of Weatherly Heights Baptist Church for 10 weeks during the summer. The primary responsibilities of the Ministry Intern will be assisting the Minister to the Christian Home with children and youth in the planning and implementation of the summer activities for each of these ministries. Ideally the intern would be a seminary or college student looking to further their experience of practical ministry in either children, youth, or family ministry. The intern will be directly supervised by the Minister to the Christian Home. The goal of this internship is two-fold. Leadership development and experience for the student and providing support for the church staff during the summer months. Responsibilities: The WHBC Ministry Intern will have the following responsibilities in conjunction with the Minister to the Christian Home: Vacation Bible School Some Evening Activities for Children/Youth Special Events for Children/Youth Sunday Morning Worship Leadership An Opportunity to Preach (if desired) Mentoring experience Visit the church website at https://weatherly.org

    Smokerise Baptist Church

    Stone Mountain, GA

    Responsibilities/opportunities could include (but are not limited to): - Shadowing ministers on hospital/homebound visits (where appropriate) - Leading in worship as an assisting minister (or through preaching) - Helping facilitate and lead young adult, youth and children’s activities (ex: Passport camps, Vacation Bible School, weekly children’s trips, monthly youth activities) - Meeting with the staff during staff meeting and weekly prayer times (not necessary every week for the prayer time, but would be a good opportunity to see how the staff grows spiritually together). - Attending the June Staff retreat Hours per week: 15-20 Schedule: Office hours Tuesday-Thursday 10:00-2:00, with additional hours for activities, programs, etc. Start/End date: 9-week period during the summer. Exact dates not yet determined. Visit the church website at http://www.smokerisebaptist.org