A subtle powerhouse

There’s nothing like experience doing a job or shadowing a professional to help you gain skill and confidence to step into something yourself, but when it comes to global missions, an internship can be so much more than just a learning opportunity. My own experience as a missions intern during my college years was pivotal for me, and so when my husband and I joined a church planting team in Peru with Mission to the World, I found great joy in welcoming, getting to know, and serving alongside those who came to join us as interns. In time, however, I came to deeply value the many roles interns played on our team because of the incredible energy they brought to our ministry and the deep encouragement they were to our families.

As a 19-year-old, I had the opportunity to spend a summer living with and helping a missionary family in Paraguay. That trip, though challenging in a lot of ways, taught me a lot about missions work, about myself, and about how God could use me. I observed the daily highs and lows of missionary life and participated in the beautiful ways that the missionaries came together as a team to worship, work, and care for one another. I also learned to find camaraderie with the Lord in moments of loneliness. I came away from my internship with a better sense of what type of ministry I felt drawn to and with a greater confidence in God’s ability to use me.

Years later, working with MTW in Peru, my family had the privilege of serving alongside several interns who joined our missionary team at different times. I was excited about the opportunity to pour into a younger person exploring their role in missions, hearing their own spiritual journey, and helping them use their gifts. It was such a blessing to witness the passion and creativity God gave each intern to build relationships and herald Christ’s kingdom in their own way.

Interns bring varied contributions that represent the body of Christ

Some of our interns served in a medical clinic sharing Christ while caring for people’s physical needs. Some served primarily in youth and college ministry through our church plant, connecting with local students, orchestrating events and Bible studies, and building gospel relationships one-on-one. Others came to help with special projects over the summer such as facilitating English camps or hosting church teams. Each intern who came contributed incredible value to our missionary team’s gospel initiatives.

One dynamic aspect that interns contribute to a missionary team is the ability to represent the full body of Christ with all its varied facets and strengths. I sensed keenly that the community around us was observing how our team interacted with and loved one another. Each new intern expanded that witness, offering a vivid demonstration of how believers care for each other, share gifts and insights, and spur one another on to reach outward.

The interns who joined our team were able to make connections that would have been very difficult for those of us raising families and leading ministries on the field to forge. They could adapt flexibly to the needs and availability of individuals they met as the Lord opened doors to relationships. They were often able to relate very naturally to the life stage of younger people in our community who were navigating school, career choices, and relationship pursuits, and they were able to model what discipleship to Christ can look like as a younger adult.

Interns breathe fresh life into the team and ministry

Another superpower that I watched the Lord wield through many of our interns, was their eagerness and need to learn the language and culture from local acquaintances. Often arriving with minimal language and cultural awareness, our interns were generally actively engaged in language and cultural study alongside their ministry initiatives. This set them up with a wonderful, natural way of getting to know other people. Their need to ask questions and learn from others opened lots of doors to friendship for them. Many people were drawn to these eager newcomers and enjoyed helping them learn to live and speak and navigate life in their city.

The aspect of missionary interns that most impacted me as a missionary mom, however, was the way those younger people built up and encouraged my own children. Surrounded by a culture different than their own and attending church in their second language, many missionary kids are deeply impacted by the friendships that mission interns forge with them. This often-unrecognized ministry of interns can greatly impact a missionary family’s longevity on the field and the faith and future of missionary kids whom they impact. For the children on our missionary team, I saw interns represent joyful discipleship to Christ, a relatable fusion of faith and fun, and an outside touch from their own culture that came with compassion and understanding.

Looking back on my journey from a 19-year-old intern in Paraguay to a missionary mother in Peru, I see clearly how God uses internships to shape both the future of missions and His present work on the field. Interns don’t just fill gaps or complete tasks; they breathe fresh life into teams, bridge cultural and generational gaps, and model the vibrant, interconnected body of Christ. If you are considering a mission internship, know that the investment goes far beyond a summer or a season. It creates ripples of grace that touch missionary families, local communities, and the kingdom of God for years to come.

Considering serving? Explore our summer or 1-11 month internships.

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