Intern Stories
Kent Glazier 2015-16 Intern
I haven't found the answers to all of my questions. I still struggle to fully embrace God's forgiveness and grace in my life, but I'm happy to say that I'm in a much better place than I was six months ago. The internship has helped to keep me from isolating which has been a go-to coping mechanism for me in the past. In the context of mentoring and peer relationships, I've had the opportunity to be more honest and transparent about my failures and my fears, and to experience God's love extended to me by others.
I've also gained a good deal of practical experience and knowledge in the areas of various counseling tools and techniques, the ins and outs of non-profit ministries, continued personal health and development, and a greater sense of my own strengths and areas for growth in ministry. In these next few months, I look forward to God's continued equipping work in my life and to discovering what more He has for me personally as I follow Him on this path of surrender. |
Austin Yoder 2015-16 Intern
A large part of what I’ve learned in the internship has come from all of the self examination and self study that we started the year off with. Recognizing my areas of strengths (like administration and teaching) lets me focus on growing and continuing in those things. Discovering some of my tendencies and weaknesses (like being controlling and not trusting others to help) allows me to be intentional about correcting those behaviors. Then from that point, I’ve been afforded opportunities to serve in some of those strengths and to become more comfortable with who I am in sharing my testimony.
I’m also enjoying getting to do studies on different ways that people interact with each other and with pain from their past. Learning and understanding these things serves as a great aid to identifying needs that need to be ministered to and knowledge about how to do that. |
Josh Bowdoin 2014-15 Intern
Being able to do the internship with Mid-Valley Fellowship this year has been a privilege. As always, God knows exactly what I need and makes it possible. This has been a time of learning to fully trust my Heavenly Father. My whole life I have depended on myself, and He asked me to give that all up as I entered this internship. He gave me the grace to say yes, and He is proving faithful financially, relationally, and with every other need I have.
Duan and Angela have been very instrumental in representing God’s unconditional love to me. As the truth of His love becomes foundational in my life, He is making it possible for me to walk in greater purity than before. In addition, He is showing me how ministry to others flows out of this. It doesn't ever come out of some level of perfection that I manage to attain! I'm very thankful for the work God is doing in me through this internship! |
Jennifer Hutsell 2013-14 Intern
For me, the internship has been a continuation of God's healing process in my life. The opportunities presented through the intern program allowed me to gain a better understanding of who I am and who God created me to be. I appreciate that the program is Christ-centered and that the Holy Spirit has been an active part of the process.
I strongly encourage anyone that is seeking to learn more about themselves and has an interest in providing service to a well-run, much needed ministry in our community, to apply for the internship program. The internship will allow you to grow and develop intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Being an intern with Mid-Valley Fellowship has allowed me to grow and heal personally, but also, I have witnessed the miracle of Christ’s power in the lives of others that have struggled with sexual brokenness. |
Daniel Johnson 2012-13 Intern
The internship has empowered me in ways I did not expect. As we started learning about spiritual gifting, strengths and passions, God started speaking to me about ministry. He started putting a longing in my heart for getting into the battlefield. The people in my life before I became a Christian made me see nothing but the impossible. God has used MVF to show me the possible life we can live. I have seen how active God is in the lives of His children, and it is awesome! I have heard the call to get up off the bench, and it is music to my ears. God is opening the way for me to explore ministry.
Some days it is overwhelming to consider the love God has poured out and the things He shows me. That is the key with the internship as we move towards the end of the year. This is not the end of the internship coming; it is the door opening to a world of adventure that I would not have thought possible before! |
Matt Herbert 2012-13 Intern
My journey as an intern has been full of personal growth. In the skills, talents, and knowledge that I was once less confident in, I now have a better understanding — teaching, setting healthy boundaries, ways of learning, and fundraising. I know my strengths and how I can use them for ministry. I know my spiritual gifting and how to find areas to serve that complement those gifts. I also know what areas I am most likely to struggle with in being a leader.
Another fulfilling aspect of the internship is being able to walk alongside men who struggle with sexual brokenness, helping them walk into God’s light and experience grace and healing. All of these opportunities are helping equip me with tools and skills to use in ministry both now and further down the road. I find joy where I am now, and I’m excited to see where God will take me and how he will continue to use the internship to make me a stronger leader, teacher, and warrior for the Kingdom of God! |
Jonathan Eick 2011-12 Intern
The internship program has focused on developing me as a person, a leader, a friend, and a son of God. I have learned so many valuable things about myself that will impact me for the rest of my life. Using different techniques and assessments, I have been able to understand why I am the way I am, how God shaped me, and how Jesus wants to continue to grow and develop me.
During my time interning at MVF, I have felt so cared for and invested into. I have been challenged and stretched to explore and discover the passions I have for ministry, the desire I have to know Jesus more, and the need to understand myself better. I have felt a support and foundation to be who God has created me to be and to function out of that! I have been encouraged to look outside of my normal thinking, to take risks, and to truly live out the passion God has given me. I appreciate Mid-Valley Fellowship for investing in me and caring for who I am and how God has created me. |