Katie Gulemi, 2022-23 Intern
Prior to the Erēmos Internship, I felt healthy in my emotional, spiritual, and relational walk and I wanted God to continue to mold me to be even more like Him. I felt strong in my leadership skills with students and those around me, but when it came to topics of sexual brokenness, I wasn’t as equipped. I brought in a lot of passion and abilities and knew this internship would refine them.
I came into the program passionate about leading students but recognizing I wanted to speak and listen better when it came to topics of sexual brokenness. More and more students were asking about these topics that I just didn’t feel equipped to talk about. The topic of sexuality continues to be a mine-field where the enemy loves to attack the image-bearers of our Creator God.
This year, I have learned more about the inner workings of people and how outward brokenness occurs. I have come to understand that God intended for us to function as relational, sexual humans interacting with each other, and then also to recognize where sin, hurt, and wounding skews His design. I feel equipped (and will continue to become more so) to steward my own heart and care for myself well, as well as equipped to deeply care for the body of Christ.
My focus going in has always been students, and if anything, that focus has only intensified. Exactly where God opens doors and leads in the future, I don’t know. My heart is to lean into Him as He has gifted and equipped me. I have a heart for teens to know the truth and to talk about these topics that we historically don’t talk about as the church. I would love to see what training could be built for students (and/or leaders) in order to walk in their own healthy sexuality.
I came into the program passionate about leading students but recognizing I wanted to speak and listen better when it came to topics of sexual brokenness. More and more students were asking about these topics that I just didn’t feel equipped to talk about. The topic of sexuality continues to be a mine-field where the enemy loves to attack the image-bearers of our Creator God.
This year, I have learned more about the inner workings of people and how outward brokenness occurs. I have come to understand that God intended for us to function as relational, sexual humans interacting with each other, and then also to recognize where sin, hurt, and wounding skews His design. I feel equipped (and will continue to become more so) to steward my own heart and care for myself well, as well as equipped to deeply care for the body of Christ.
My focus going in has always been students, and if anything, that focus has only intensified. Exactly where God opens doors and leads in the future, I don’t know. My heart is to lean into Him as He has gifted and equipped me. I have a heart for teens to know the truth and to talk about these topics that we historically don’t talk about as the church. I would love to see what training could be built for students (and/or leaders) in order to walk in their own healthy sexuality.