Timeframe: 10 weeks
Start Date: January, May, September
Hours: 5-15 per week
Unpaid

This level is designed to be a great starting point for people as young as 16 who are trying to discern a call to ministry as a career or have an early interest in what that could look like. These interns may not have a clear calling yet, but they have some experience serving within the church and want to learn more to explore what God may be calling them to long-term. These interns are invited to join our staff and experience what ministry looks like in a church context and to see what our team does to make ministry happen.

Timeframe: 6-8 months (Fall-Spring) or 10 weeks (Summer)
Start Date: September or May
Hours: 15-20 per week
Paid

This level is designed as a deeper level of ministry engagement, training, and experience for those who are 18+ and are trying to discern a call to ministry as a career or feel confident in that calling. This is an ideal next step for those who have a good amount of ministry experience, have been through the Tier 1 Internship (or similar), and have been invited into Tier 2 to continue their ministry training and development.

Timeframe: 12-24 months
Start Date: TBD
Hours: 20-40 per week
Paid

This level is designed for those who have been confirmed in their calling to ministry as a career and are ready to be immersed in a ministry pathway. This can be initial preparation for an individual called to plant a church as the lead pastor or for someone called to a supporting role in ministry. This Tier is tailored specifically for each individual candidate based on ministry experience, training needs, and specific ministry calling.

Timeframe: 24 months
Start Date: TBD
Hours: 40 per week
Paid

This level is our Church Planting and Ministry Residence Program for those preparing to plant a church or be part of a church planting team. Candidates will spend time in every ministry to learn the full scope of church ministry in preparation for planting their own church.

Interns will work with our Kids Ministry staff in planning, developing and leading in all aspects of our Pre-K & Elementary areas to further the mission and vision through Sunday morning program, events like SURGE Camp, our Kids YouTube Channel and other key ministry opportunities.

Interns will gain a wide range of experience in student ministry, including planning services and events, helping develop a ministry calendar, creative series planning, recruiting leaders for ministry, cultivating relationships with students, and preparing a message.

Interns will assist our Adult Groups team and learn the why and how we do groups at West Ridge. They will learn how to onboard and train leaders, help with monthly gatherings, and prepare for events like Group Launch.

Interns will learn essential skills in leading a worship team, including a church gathering, and behind the scenes training/planning. These trainings include spiritual disciplines, set list planning, service programming and essential software training (Abelton, Mainstage and Logic Pro).

Interns will be involved in the training and application in all aspects of audio tech, monitor and front of house mixing, and lighting systems.

Interns will serve alongside our global missions team to assist with planning and executing trip details, create content for global missions trips, recruit team members, and gain leadership skills while working in our World Cafe.

Interns will serve alongside our local outreach team to assist with outreach projects/events, network with local partners and churches, assist with our special needs ministry and have a hands on experience with serving our local community.

Interns will serve alongside our guest services and assimilation staff team where they will learn and experience everything from building and leading a team, to being part of the Sunday experience. They will learn how to recruit new team members, onboard them and get them to fully serving. They will understand what it means to walk with someone from the moment they are with us until they are fully connected. They will be involved in team meetings and the beginning stages of planning our team West Ridge event. They will get to walk out every part of what it means to be the team that makes a way for people to experience Jesus.

The summer internship program is available to anyone who is 18+ , has graduated from high school and has had an initial level of ministry experience.

Our internship program provides options for compensation depending on the Tier that a candidate is eligible for. To see what levels provide compensation review the main page.

Based on the season and tier of the internship, housing might be provided.

Our internship program is entirely in person. We value the experience that happens when you’re in proximity to our staff and what’s happening in our church!

Nope! Our program is open to anyone who has an interest in exploring an interest in ministry.

Beginning with Tier 2, we will provide a laptop and the equipment needed to support your internship experience.