THE CROSSOVER INTERN PROGRAM

Mentoring the next generation of Christian leaders

Who are the CrossOver Interns?

This year we have five college-age interns: Chris Bell, Matt Crouch, Emily Eyrolles, Samantha Laslo, and Alex Wood. We also have two high school senior interns: Kyle Kooyers and Katie Sauter.

What do interns do?

Each intern gives a minimum of ten hours a week to the ministry. Job descriptions vary, but their primary focus is on facilitating our weekly events: planning programs, building relationships with students and leading small group discussion. And everyone is expected to perform "grunt work": setting up and/or cleaning up at each of our events or programs.

Beyond that, each intern is encouraged to discover his or her particular ministry gifts and is given opportunities to develop and use those gifts. Some create and perform games, dramas and videos for our programs. Some write talks and curriculum for CrossOver and Breakfast Club. Some coordinate special events and fundraising.

Interns often perform above and beyond their ten hours a week, working on special projects like The Way of the Cross, summer trips, Bible studies and meeting one-on-one with students.

Why does our youth ministry need an intern program?

The intern program is a win-win opportunity for everyone involved. We draw on their youthful passion and creativity to provide quality programs and messages to engage this generation in meaningful conversation about following Jesus Christ. The students have healthy relationships with youth adult role models. And we can't complain about having a team of people to mop floors, vacuum carpets and empty coffee pots.

For their efforts, the interns receive valuable training and experience in leadership and spiritual maturity and they have a team of adult staff and volunteer leaders around them to help navigate the college years with faith and integrity. Our interns are the future leaders of the Church, the workplace and the nation.

How is the intern program funded?

When they hear that each intern receives a small, monthly stipend, some people ask why they don't just work for free. The reality is that, in addition to taking out financial loans, most college students must work to support themselves. If our interns had a part-time job in addition to their schoolwork and internship, they could not guarantee that their ministry obligations would be the priority. We pay them enough to cover gasoline and ministry expenses and ensure that they can get by without a second job. In fact, our interns do more work and are paid less than comparable internships at other churches (but let's keep that quiet).

The intern program is funded entirely by generous donations from supporters who want to witness a generation of Christian leaders extend the mission of the Church into the twenty-first century.

Where are they now?

Of twenty-three former interns, eight are now employed by Christian ministries. Six have professional careers in the work force. Five are enrolled in seminary. Four are working with teenagers in education and social work. Two are working in the entertainment industry. And one is a military officer.

We look forward to seeing how God will use each of these leaders in the context He has placed them. Imagine how God may use our seven current interns ten years from now.

How can you support the intern program?

Each year, CrossOver must raise funds to cover the stipends our interns earn. This money is not provided by the church budget.

If you would like to contribute to this fund, please write a check to "PHCPC" and write "CrossOver Intern Fund" on the memo line. You can leave this check in the church office, or deliver it personally.