Opening for Interns                  

Ministry- Intensive Training    (Youth work and Home Repair)  

Updated 1/13/08

            

     

Ministry Intensive Training (MIT) provides internships for college and high school students in which they are given "hands on" experience in wholistic ministry to the poor. In addition to the "hands on" daily task of ministry to the poor, formal and informal training sessions help interns discover, understand and apply theology to the task at hand and their daily lives. Over their course of service interns learn and experience such topics as: the culture of poverty, community development principles, evangelism techniques, open air preaching techniques, group dynamics, leadership principles, home repair, praying the work, literacy training, community health training, ministry to unchurched children, team work in ministry, racial reconciliation, managing volunteer groups, spiritual growth and warfare, and general servanthood.

Purpose. MIT trains college and high school youth in what it means to minister in the real world. It provides a theological, theoretical and practical framework for training people interested in more intensive ministry and a deeper walk with the Lord. Their service helps spread God’s love to Appalachian youth and adults.

Length of Service. College interns have two options. We have summer internships or year long terms of service. Summer internships start around May 15th and extend to the middle of August. High school interns serve from July 1 until the middle of August. We can be flexible with times.

Remuneration

Volunteers will receive free room and board and a stipend.

Service time runs from latter May to August 15 for college interns and July 1 to August 15 for high school interns.  (call us, we can be flexible).

Expected Results. At the end of the summer we expect our interns to: be thoroughly proficient in the areas in which they have served, have a much closer walk with the Lord, have a greater understanding of what it means to serve the poor, have the skill to lead their peers in similar work at home.

 

  		  

 MIT Youth Work

We intend to utilize youth mission teams to do a combination of youth work and community development. Ideally, our teams will function in one area for the entire summer from June until the middle of August.  

Our teams will consist of one college student (Youth Team Leader) and one high school assistant. Lord willing, we will also be able to add one local high school student for a total of 3 team members.

Youth Teams will be involved in the following things:

 In previous years we had one team of youth workers who worked in a different community each week of the summer. Although we covered many communities and touched many children, we felt that we were not following through with those who came to know the Lord in our Backyard Bible Clubs. Our impact on lives was not substantial or long lasting. That is why we are now seeking to focus on a few communities for a longer period of time.

It is expected that teams form "redemptive relationships" with youth and families in the areas where they are assigned. Redemptive relationships go beyond mere friendships. They are built around a genuine concern for the total well-being of others, seeking to utilize the transforming power of Christ in lives to break patterns of sin or self destructiveness, establish new disciplines and expand knowledge and responsibilities.

Our standard Youth Teams will be supplemented by volunteer teams who come in the summer. Each Youth Team may have from 3-7 people assigned to them as helpers. Youth Teams will not only minister to the children but share their expertise with volunteers and possibly disciple them as well.

Youth Team Leaders are expected to be examples to their teams and are responsible for the spiritual well-being of those on their team from week to week. It is expected that Youth Team Leaders set the spiritual tone for their group and insure that members "Pray the Work".

Youth Teams will plan and oversee healthy and safe Recreation programs for the youth in their assigned areas.

Youth Teams may be involved in Leadership Development. This will involve working in the Empowerment House, our learning center. Teams will oversee tutoring and other learning activities. Teams may also be assigned a local high school student to disciple and train.

MIT

Emergency Home Repair

for our Appalachia mission trip teams

   The home repair ministry has at least 5 purposes. These are:

To provide low income, elderly and disabled families with warm, safe and dry living quarters. We are not a home remodeling company.

 To use the work done on houses as a means to spiritually minister to families we serve. The work is a vehicle for evangelism and discipleship.

To use the work done on homes to spiritually minister to teams who do the work. Each team will experience being out of their comfort zone and, because of what they encounter on the job, be open to questions concerning poverty and their response to the Lordship of Christ in their lives.

To open doors in the community where we do work. Our servanthood will cause neighbors to be more interested in hearing the gospel and responding affirmatively.

In some instances, the home repair ministry takes on community projects to help revitalize and beautify the area. We only do community service projects when local community members work with us.

We exist as servants and models for the families and teams. We, in a sense, set a table for teams and families.

Interns in the Home Repair ministry will be trained in the following:

  • Basic construction skills of framing, roofing, drywall, painting and foundation work,
  • Managing multiple construction work sites,
  • Making and holding to a budget in home repairs,
  • Managing diverse groups of volunteers on worksites and at the sleeping facility,
  • Problem identification and resolution,
  • Assessing houses for repairs,
  • Applying scriptural teaching to everyday experiences on the worksites,
  • Praying through difficulties and successes,
  • Principles of ministry related to dealing with poor, broken people.
 		  

Qualifications For all Internships

Applicants must have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Those having experience in evangelism, leading Bible studies with children and youth or leading youth recreation programs will be given preference for the youth intern positions. Experience in home repair or construction as well as experience as a volunteer doing home repair is a definite plus for the home repair interns.

Applicants must be of outstanding character and able to work effectively and cordially with people of diverse cultural and moral background. It is also essential that the applicant be interested in working with children and youth and be able to handle conflict in ways honoring Jesus Christ.

Application Procedure

You must submit the following:

  1. Send a letter of inquiry stating why you want to serve as an intern with Mustard Seeds & Mountains and why you are suited for the position. Include a resume.
  2. Submit three letters of recommendation.

These letters should:

  • Be from people other than relatives.
  • Be from people who have known you for at least a year.
  • Be from a pastor or person who has worked with you and can speak to your spiritual commitment and maturity. (one letter)
  • Address your character, work ethic and commitment to Jesus.