Abigail Benedick – Ministry Internship

My name is Abigail Benedick and I have had the privilege of interning at my home church. I attend Calvary Church in Lancaster where I have been exploring different areas of ministry and service within Global Ministries and Children Ministries. I have greatly enjoyed loving on children of all ages and learning more about Missions through my internship. As I look into the future and what I will pursue after high school these experiences have given me insight into what areas of ministry I might be interested in dedicating my life to, whether that is missions overseas in another country or stateside within a church serving in children ministries. I look forward to sharing with you some of the different experiences I have had the opportunity to partake in.

Through my internship I have helped with a wide variety of age groups, learning about the different curriculums used at each age, procedures and even learning more about children’s interactions and needs at different stages of their lives. On Tuesday mornings I get to be a part of 4-6-month-old childcare for women’s bible study. This looks like caring for babies that can barely sit on their own, changing diapers, bottle feeding and putting them down for naps. Some mornings are very challenging when the children are crying, other mornings are more rewarding when they are all happy and do not fight their naps. Tuesday afternoons I help in the children’s ministry office helping to cut out supplies and prepare curriculum for Sunday morning Sunday school classes. Interacting with the staff and experiencing the behind the scenes has opened my eyes to all the work that goes into creating an intentional curriculum that encourages and teaches students about God, his love for them and his incredible creation. I have also enjoyed serving in the 2^nd grade both on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights for discovery clubs. I have the opportunity to pour into the children’s lives as a small group leader doing crafts, learning bible verses and different activities with the students on Sunday mornings. On Wednesday nights I have more opportunity to lead large group activities, help play characters in skits for the story and help out teaching the lesson in other ways. The last age group I have the privilege of interacting with is PreK-4 students on Sunday mornings where I am a co-teacher with another adult. This means I get a variety of experience teaching the lessons, leading worship time, crafts and learning memory verses with the children. I have thoroughly enjoyed experiencing all the different age groups and recognizing both the challenges and joys of teaching and interacting with children.

Another area of ministry I have had the privilege of exploring is global ministries. This has entailed observing meetings, interviewing missionaries that my church supports and a couple other activities. I have learned a lot about how my church supports and funds missionaries along with several key steps the church requires and encourages individuals to take if they desire to become a missionary. Being an individual who has a passion and heart for people who have not heard the gospel across the world, it has been very beneficial to observe the responsibilities and support of a sending church and important steps to take if I do decide to pursue mission work.

This internship has been a great opportunity to explore more careers within the church and the importance of all the different jobs behind the scenes that make everything run smoothly. I have enjoyed caring and nurturing the infants, encouraging and teaching in PreK, mentoring the second graders and listening to the advice and wisdom of people who know and have experienced missions. I have been very grateful for this internship opportunity to learn more about ministry within the church.