Five Reasons I Am Thankful for Internship Programs
Each year, because of churches giving through the SBCV Cooperative Program and Vision Virginia, we are able to help offer grants for ministry intern programs. Here are five reasons I am thankful for internship programs…
1. Serving as an intern, and being mentored by others, blessed my own life.
As a sixteen-year-old I was on a youth mission trip in Winter Park, Florida and heard a “youth intern” teach a Bible study. I asked my youth pastor if I could serve one summer as a youth intern, and fortunately they said yes. Back then there was not really any “intern program” or “grant money” but the Lord worked through that internship to impact my life. The Lord began to nurture a call on my life that I am still seeking to obey today.
I have had a number of mentors through the years. Some were mentors for a day, month, or season. I am blessed to still have long-time mentors in my life. To those mentors, I am grateful for their willingness to invest in me.
2. Being a mentor is a mutual blessing.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with several people the Lord has allowed me to serve with in ministry. Perhaps some have considered me to be a mentor, but one thing I know for sure — I have always been blessed when seeking to invest in others.
I heard someone say: everyone needs a Paul, a Timothy, and a Barnabas in their life.
3. We need the next generation now.
We are all familiar with the term “the next generation.” I am amazed to see and hear the testimony of younger believers in this next generation. The “next generation” needs to know we need them now! God can work mightily through this younger generation. The Lord has worked through the younger generation; you see examples in the Scriptures! We need the next generation now!
4. The Bible teaches us to equip and invest in others.
2 Timothy 2:2, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Psalm 71:18, “And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.”
Proverbs 9:9, “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.”
5. The harvest field is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
I close with this reason: the mission of God. I am thankful we are seeing SBCV churches mentor, develop, and deploy more laborers for the harvest. Let’s obey Jesus and pray for a mighty move of God among us to call out laborers. I believe mentoring someone, letting someone intern, helping develop church leaders and pastors is part of the task before us.
Your brother in Christ,
BRIAN AUTRY
Apply for a Summer Internship Grant Today!
SBCV churches that would like to hire an intern for a 10-week period may apply for an internship grant, providing they qualify. The deadline for the summer intern grants has been extended to March 15!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to host an intern and help equip future leaders in ministry. Fill out an application through our website.
Each grant is made possible through contributions from SBCV churches to the annual Vision Virginia State Missions Offering to help strengthen the local church and equip future leaders in ministry.
Twenty-one. That’s the number of salvation decisions that Campbell Avenue Baptist Church in urban Lynchburg recorded in the fall of 2021. Pastor John Pickett had been praying for someone who could help kick-start their children’s and youth ministries. God brought Sidney Johnson through an internship funded by the Vision Virginia State Missions Offering.
During his internship, Sidney led a team of college students through outreach ministry near the church, which “…has seen dozens of children, youth, and adults make decisions for Christ,” shared Pickett. You played a role in this story and many more by praying and giving through the Vision Virginia State Missions Offering.
About the Author
Dr. Brian Autry serves as Executive Director of the SBC of Virginia, a partnership of more than 800 Southern Baptist churches. SBC of Virginia comes alongside local churches advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ together to reach our neighbors and the nations. SBC of Virginia focuses on church planting and revitalization, strengthening local churches and pastors, and mobilizing churches for missions. SBC of Virginia works with the Southern Baptist Convention. Find out more about Dr. Autry by clicking here.