Sunnybrook Internship Program
At Sunnybrook Church, we have seen God at work in and around us, continuously expanding our student and college ministry, and uniquely calling many young people to full-time ministry. We sense God’s invitation to join Him in His work by investing in the next generation of young leaders, fanning in to flame the gifts God has given them and equipping them for the long run.
Sometimes the call begins with a nudge – a stirring desire to explore what ministry is all about. Internship at Sunnybrook is designed to give opportunity for “dipping the toes” into what it’s like to work in ministry. It’s designed for those not yet certain of a calling but exploring the possibility.
Internships serve as a bridge between learning and leading. They create a space where individuals can discern God’s calling, grow in practical ministry skills, and be shaped through hands-on experience, mentoring relationships, and active participation in the life of the church.
Our desire is not simply to train interns to do ministry, but to form them into healthy disciples of Jesus who minister from a place of abiding in Him, loving His Church, and serving others with humility and wisdom.
In a nutshell our reasons for internship:
Sometimes the call begins with a nudge – a stirring desire to explore what ministry is all about. Internship at Sunnybrook is designed to give opportunity for “dipping the toes” into what it’s like to work in ministry. It’s designed for those not yet certain of a calling but exploring the possibility.
Internships serve as a bridge between learning and leading. They create a space where individuals can discern God’s calling, grow in practical ministry skills, and be shaped through hands-on experience, mentoring relationships, and active participation in the life of the church.
Our desire is not simply to train interns to do ministry, but to form them into healthy disciples of Jesus who minister from a place of abiding in Him, loving His Church, and serving others with humility and wisdom.
In a nutshell our reasons for internship:
•Stewarding God’s provision
•Investing in the future of the Church and God's Kingdom
•Provide a clear pathway to ministry leadership
Internship Objectives
Sunnybrook Internship is designed to help interns grow in four primary areas:
1. Spiritual Formation
•Deepen personal relationship with Jesus
•Cultivate consistent spiritual disciplines
•Develop a healthy devotional life and dependence on the Holy Spirit
•Cultivate consistent spiritual disciplines
•Develop a healthy devotional life and dependence on the Holy Spirit
2. Leadership Development
•Grow in Christlike character, humility, and integrity
•Learn to lead with servant-heartedness
•Develop emotional and relational maturity
•Learn to lead with servant-heartedness
•Develop emotional and relational maturity
3. Ministry Competency
•Gain hands-on ministry experience
•Learn practical ministry skills including planning, communication, and teamwork
•Understand the rhythms and responsibilities of church leadership
•Learn practical ministry skills including planning, communication, and teamwork
•Understand the rhythms and responsibilities of church leadership
4. Calling Discernment
•Clarify personal calling and gifting
•Discover strengths and areas for growth
•Gain clarity about future ministry direction
•Discover strengths and areas for growth
•Gain clarity about future ministry direction
What Does Internship Entail?
Training & Education – here's how we "do ministry".
Focused Experience –interns work in a focused ministry area of training/development from the following:
Focused Experience –interns work in a focused ministry area of training/development from the following:
- Kids Ministry
- Student Ministry
- Missions
- Creative Arts
- Spiritual Formation
- Congregational Care
- Communications
Internship Parameters
Duration
•Typical internship term: 6–12 months
•Start and end dates determined in partnership with supervising pastor or ministry leader
•Interns will need their own housing and reliable transportation.
•Start and end dates determined in partnership with supervising pastor or ministry leader
•Interns will need their own housing and reliable transportation.
Time Commitment
•Expected commitment: 10–20 hours per week (adjustable based on season and availability)
•Participation in weekly services and key ministry events
•Attendance at scheduled staff meetings, trainings, and mentoring sessions
•Participation in weekly services and key ministry events
•Attendance at scheduled staff meetings, trainings, and mentoring sessions
Supervision and Mentoring
•Each intern will be assigned a supervising pastor or ministry leader
•Regular one-on-one mentor meetings (typically biweekly)
•Ongoing coaching, feedback, and encouragement
•Regular one-on-one mentor meetings (typically biweekly)
•Ongoing coaching, feedback, and encouragement
Core Responsibilities
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
•Assisting with ministry planning and execution
•Participating in weekly ministry rhythms
•Supporting church events and gatherings
•Engaging in leadership development opportunities
•Serving in practical and administrative roles
•Leading ministry assignments as appropriate
•Assisting with ministry planning and execution
•Participating in weekly ministry rhythms
•Supporting church events and gatherings
•Engaging in leadership development opportunities
•Serving in practical and administrative roles
•Leading ministry assignments as appropriate
Spiritual and Character Expectations
Interns are expected to:
•Pursue a growing personal relationship with Jesus•Demonstrate humility, teachability, and faithfulness
•Maintain integrity in relationships and responsibilities
•Support the mission, vision, and leadership of the church
•Serve with a positive and servant-hearted attitude
Learning and Development Components
•Mentoring and discipleship
•Ministry observation and participation
•Leadership opportunities
•Reading and reflection assignments (as assigned)
•Regular feedback and evaluation
•Ministry observation and participation
•Leadership opportunities
•Reading and reflection assignments (as assigned)
•Regular feedback and evaluation
Evaluation
•Periodic informal feedback
•Midpoint and final evaluation
•Opportunity for intern self-evaluation and reflection
•Midpoint and final evaluation
•Opportunity for intern self-evaluation and reflection
Desired Outcomes
By the end of the internship, interns should:
•Demonstrate growth in spiritual maturity
•Gain confidence and competence in ministry leadership
•Develop clarity regarding calling and next steps
•Understand the realities and rhythms of church ministry
•Be better equipped to serve faithfully in the local church and beyond
•Demonstrate growth in spiritual maturity
•Gain confidence and competence in ministry leadership
•Develop clarity regarding calling and next steps
•Understand the realities and rhythms of church ministry
•Be better equipped to serve faithfully in the local church and beyond
