FAQ

Who is the Internship and Ministry Academy for?

The program is for young adults who feel the call of God on their lives and want to see their generation impacted with the gospel of the Kingdom and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It is a place where you can be trained in Bible knowledge, equipped in spiritual tools, exposed to ministry in the local church and discipled in a loving atmosphere.

The Internship and Ministry Academy are not just for those who feel called to full-time Christian ministry however. The program is for anyone who has a sincere desire to be a full disciple of Jesus Christ and to be whole-hearted in their pursuit of Him. As serious Christians, we believe that whatever we do career wise, whether in a secular or church arena, should be done with the thought “How can I further the Kingdom of God through this career?” So whether a member is hoping to go into full time ministry or some other profession, this programme will definitely benefit them as a Christian.

How will this benefit me?

This programme is designed with your personal, spiritual and emotional growth and maturity in mind. Our first priority is to help each team member establish a firm foundation on which their faith is able to stand after they leave our program.

Specific skills each intern can expect to learn include the following:
• Public speaking
• Relational skills with those in authority over you and under you
• Being part of a team
• Personal time management
• Mentoring and discipleship skills
• Management and promotional skills needed to operate a growing ministry or organisation on a weekly basis
• Other skills that are a natural part of ministerial training

Spiritual principles that you will be taught include the following:
• Ministering under the anointing
• Sermon preparation
• Spiritual gifts
• Practising the presence of God
• Having a strong devotional life
• Foundational Christian doctrines
• Godly character and integrity
• Soul winning
• A solid grounding in God’s Word

What are the dates?

The internship will begin on Monday 2nd September 2013 and will end on Sunday 29th June 2014. Each intern will have one weeks holiday that they can take during that time (to be arranged in advance with Pastor Andrew). There will also be days off over Christmas and New Year as well as all standard UK bank holiday dates. When bank holidays are on a Monday, interns will also be given the Tuesday as a day off too.

What happens after the Internship?

Once the internship has ended in July 2014, interns can then asses their future career and ministry options. Some interns may want to continue their education by going to college or university, some may want to move straight into secular employment or some may want to go to Bible College. However, there will also be the option of applying for a second year as an intern.

The second year will be for interns who plan to enter full time ministry. A very limited number of interns will be selected for the second year. This extended training will provide leadership opportunities for second year interns to serve as team leaders for new first year interns. Second year interns will have the opportunity to complete two or three additional Bible College courses necessary to meet the educational requirements for Certified Minister credentials.

What are the financial implications of becoming an intern?

Unlike many other Intern programmes, there are no costs to joining the Internship. Also the Ministry Academy will not cost you anything as we see it is a significant investment into the Kingdom of God. Members of Bethel church will sponsor the programme and this will cover costs for your team uniform, study materials and the distance learning courses from Mattersey. We will also cover petrol costs if you use your vehicle for church use. You will have to find money for your general living costs however.

Can I have another job as well as be on the internship?

The intern programme is full time, so you will not be able to have any other full time job during the ten months of the course. To help with your living costs however, some interns may desire to have a part time job during this period. This must be discussed in detail with Pastor Andrew before the internship commences and any other job must be taken with the full understanding that it happens outside internship hours (which are not always fixed and can sometimes include Saturdays).

Do you accept applications from outside the UK?

Yes. The programme is open to anyone from anywhere in the world providing they speak English. However, if you live outside the EU it is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct visas / documentation etc

I live in the UK but currently attend another church, Do I have to leave my local church to join the Internship?

We certainly do not want want young people to cut ties with their local church or no longer be members of the church they are based in. However, joining the internship will mean you have to attend all events (including Sunday meetings) at Bethel. Practically of course this will mean you won’t be able to attend your local church for the time of the course. However, remember this is just for a 10 month period out of a lifetime of serving God. It is our sincere desire and prayer, that after the internship, young people will go back, taking with them all they have received at Bethel and use their experience to serve their pastors and youth ministries in their local church.

I live outside the South Yorkshire area but would like to join, can you help me with accommodation and transport?

We will do all we possibly can to help house anyone from outside the area and help find suitable transport for anyone who doesn’t drive. We can offer no guarantees however. We will treat each request for help with accommodation or transport on an individual basis.

What are the requirements for an Intern?

• You must be aged between 16 and 30.
• You must have been a Christian for at least one full year
• You must have a proven track record of reliability and commitment to a local church
• If you intend to do the distance learning course you will need adequate GCSE qualifications

We are looking for interns who have a serious desire for God and a heart that hungers for intimacy with Jesus. For an individual to be considered for internship it must be evident to the pastors of the church that the prospective candidate has indeed accepted Christ into his / her heart and is conducting his / her life according to Christian principles. We are looking for interns who are willing to go past the edge of their comfort zones in pursuit of the Master and are willing to allow the Holy Spirit to change them and work on them continually. A passion for Jesus, a teachable spirit, and a willingness to work hard are essential.

What Are The Requirements For An Intern?

A comprehensive list of requirements can be found in our application pack. However there are three key requirements that you will need to take into consideration before applying:

Commitment
The internship is a whole hearted commitment for ten months. Once a part of the intern programme, interns will not be able to seek employment or join another church or ministry. This will allow complete freedom of the intern’s time for involvement in every aspect of ministry provided by the church.

Relationships
This is ten months of a young life specially dedicated to Jesus Christ. Relationships with other people may effect this dedication. Young people already in long term relationships or developing new, emotional attachments should discuss the nature of these relationships with Pastor Andrew.

Honour
One of the core values of the Kingdom of God is honour. We expect each intern to be treated with honour but also to show honour. Speaking or listening to gossip or publicly criticising any other intern, church member or church leader cannot be tolerated. We expect each intern to submit to the appropriate authorities, have a teachable spirit and a servant heart and to show love to everyone they minister under, with or to.

I’m interested, what do I do now?

There are several steps that you will need to follow if you are interested in joining the intern programme?

• Apply for an application pack. Details on how to do this are below

• Read through the application pack carefully and consider the implications of committing to the programme. Make sure you spend time in prayer making sure this is Gods will for your life.

• After you have filled in the forms in the application pack we will contact you. You will then be required to attend interviews with Pastor Andrew initially and later Pastor Dave.

• Please talk to your parents and senior pastor about your desire to join the internship

• We will contact your list of references who will provide us with testimonials about your faith and character

• The leadership of Bethel church will prayerfully consider each applicant and inform you of your acceptance or not

Cut off point

For the internship starting in September 2013, applications must be received no later than the 3rd of June 2013. Any applications received after this will be deferred to the second year, starting in September 2014.