Impact Intern Spotlight: Emily Coleman



Emily Coleman is a 17 year old from Fort Worth, Texas.
She enjoys photography, ice cream, and spending time with
friends. Emily loves her parents and family dearly.

 

Hills and Valleys

 

This is my second year participating in this internship, and if I'm being completely honest, I couldn't give you a specific reason on why I returned. While I had so much fun on the internship last year, it was also full of difficulties. It was the longest I had ever been away from home, there were a lot of new struggles that I encountered, and spiritually I was running dry because of how much I was constantly pouring into others. Although I struggled with those things, doing this internship got me completely out of my previous comfort zone, and I deeply appreciate that.

 

This year on the internship surely hasn't been what I expected, but I have learned a lot. I have learned that you are there to serve no matter what and I have learned to solely rely on the strength of God each and every day. There will be expectations put on you, but the faster you come to realize that your ultimate purpose on this earth, no matter what job or career you have, is to glorify God and serve His people. You might have to be up at midnight cleaning bathrooms while everyone else is sleeping, you will encounter people you don't agree with, and you will have times where you don't know if you can keep going, physically, mentally, and spiritually. But it is in those times that I have come to the throne and relied on God's strength to get me through every day. At the end of the day you have to remember why you do what you do (1 Corinthians 10:31). No matter who fails you  or who lets you down, God is steadfast in his love and grace, and he will never fail you. You have to remember the whole picture— that this is a team and you are here to lead people to Christ in whatever capacity that is. If that means smelling like canteen for a week straight, then so be it. Service is about filling needs, not doing what you like.

My experience has for sure has its ups and downs. I have learned the differences between myself and others, and I've seen firsthand that not everyone will get along, and that's okay! I have fallen in love with the ministry aspect of this internship— seeing the smiles on the kids' faces after you pray with them, leading them in crazy dances, and ultimately being their role model. Thinking about the amount of children that I have helped bring to Christ this summer amazes me and is incredibly humbling.

 

Had Christ not radically changed me the past few years I would be so comfortable, but I would not be in His will for my life. When I moved to Texas I could not imagine what was in store for me. The past two and a half years have brought two trips to Brazil, a trip to Guatemala, and two summers spent serving children and leaders. God has put me in a position to be able to experience so much more than some people get to experience in their whole life— and I'm only seventeen! If I hadn't moved to Texas I would be so comfortable in what I knew that I would be missing out on what God has for my life, and it's extremely humbling that He trusts me enough to serve His people.

Impact Intern Spotlight: Seth Westmoreland

Seth is a 16 year old pastor's kid from Indiana and a first year
intern with Impact Ministries. Seth is addicted to McDonalds,
loves baseball, and has discovered how wonderful pedicures are.

God Answers

 



There is one question I have pondered my entire life... One question that society puts so much pressure on… A question everyone must answer for themselves with the help of God...

What is my calling in life?

Calling. It is crazy to think how much power this one word has. As a 16 year old in today's society, you have a lot of pressure put on you to decide what college you want to attend, what job you should have, and ultimately what your calling is. Friends my age would have their entire lives figured out and I was just there... waiting for God to answer my prayer.

Little did I know the answer to this question would be revealed when I least expected it.

I first encountered the Impact team when they came to my church camp in Indiana. I will admit I was skeptical of them at first. A group of 10 strangers entering your camp is hard to say the least. However, as I got to know all the interns, I developed many new friendships and memories. After camp, I was sold! I knew I wanted to become an Impact Intern.

I loved what this internship stood for and the people in it. An added bonus was that I was able to spend an entire summer with my close friends (the Rows) and my brother, Eli. Going into this internship, I expected a summer of ministering to kids and developing friendships, but I got so much more...

In the beginning of this internship, Jesika felt the Lord leading her to tell me that I would discover my calling this summer. I was shocked and anxiously waited for the Lord to speak. I thought God would answer this question through one life changing encounter, but it was different. As we ministered to kids and teens from camp to camp, I slowly began to feel a calling to ministry. I had a strong feeling about ministry, but I still wasn't sure. At the end of a random service, Fiona (our leader) prayed over me and began to affirm the call I felt to ministry but specifically to become a pastor. It was amazing! She had no idea the Lord was leading me in this direction. She simply obeyed God and he ministered to me.

This summer has been incredible to say the least. Aside from finding my calling, I have made friends at every camp we have visited. I have loved getting to know new people and discovering more about God. Overall, I'm thankful for this experience and the opportunity to lead as a 16 year old.

Impact Intern Spotlight: Emily Archer

Emily is a 16 year old from Missouri. Emily 

is a first year intern with Impact. She

loves to model, sing, shop, and

loves Smoothie King. 

Never Too Young

The impact internship has been something I've seen people around me do, and it peaked my interest from the moment I heard about it. My brother did the internship when he was sixteen, and I very distinctly remember being so jealous that I couldn't join them on their adventures. It felt like an eternity before I would get to experience that for myself!

I wanted to do the internship because I saw the transformation in my brother's life, spiritually and mentally. I knew that I needed to sign up for it as soon as possible! As I patiently waited for four— yes, FOUR!— years, I watched my friends around me grow and develop into who Christ called them to be. Yet, I felt stagnant in my purpose, as if God couldn't use me because of how young I am. 

I love what 1 Timothy 4:11-12 says, "Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity." I had heard this verse before at church camp, but being on the internship and with the team has taught me the truth in those verses. I truly realized this summer that it doesn't matter what you do, who you are, or how old you are. If you are living in the word, love, faith, integrity, and good demeanor, God will bring His favor on your life, and He will use you for amazing things. 

Everyone on this team has learned what it's like to serve behind the scenes, and I couldn't be more proud to be part of a team that serves others wholeheartedly. For anyone who is considering joining the team, this is my personal disclaimer. The entire seven weeks or so that you're gone will not be all rainbows and sunshine. There will be times, for some people more than others, where you need to take a minute to yourself and gain strength from God, but at the end of the day it is worth it. Your memories, what you learn, and the people you meet will be worth more than your frustrations or hardships. You're spending your summer showing others the love of Christ, and that is more important than any self-centered problem you might face. 

I have grown up with family in ministry, but this summer has shown me the true ups and downs of it. I am still not exactly sure what God has in store for my life, and I have learned to know that that is perfectly okay, normal even! I know without a doubt that with continuous faith, persistence, and unconditional love for Christ, everything will work itself out for my benefit. 

“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 8:26-28 MSG

Impact Intern Spotlight: Lance Fussell

Fuss is a second year intern with Impact Ministries. He is a worship major at
Messenger College. Fuss loves to play the drums, drink Dr. Pepper, and
serve others.

 

Stretched

 

“Serving is the most important thing in ministry, whether it is the bottom or the top, cleaning toilets or pastoring a church.”

This motto is something my dad taught me and what I now live by. Growing up, I was always involved in the Georgia District. I loved to serve at church camp and different youth events. As a minister’s son I had many roles, but media and worship were always my passion.

Summerfest was always one of my favorite Impact events. It was incredible to watch talented students from all over the country glorify God. I first saw the Impact interns through Summerfest. Every year I would watch the interns serve in many different ways. I admired their servant leadership and the program intrigued me. Little did I know I would serve as an Impact intern not once but twice.

In 2015, I began my journey as an Impact intern. I had just graduated high school and was enrolled at Messenger College. It was hard to give up my last summer at home, but I knew the Lord would grow me throughout that summer. In the beginning, I was very shy, but God began to bring me out of my comfort zone and meet many new friends I still have today. The two biggest things God taught me was how to be uncomfortable and how to be patient. I served as a dancer for kid’s worship which was completely out of my comfort zone. I also served with nine individuals for an entire summer. Patience was definitely key as we all had different personalities, pet peeves, and roles.  As I look back, I think of that summer as a time of great growth in my life both personally and spiritually.  

This year, I was so excited to be able to serve Impact once again. I wanted to travel to more places and connect with more people. The Lord has definitely stretched me once again. This year, I am more outgoing and social with others. I have also been able to serve in a media and worship capacity. As a worship major, I have loved getting to gain more experience as a drummer and worship team member. This summer, God has taught me to not be afraid and to continue to push myself further outside of my comfort zone.

Overall, this internship has made a huge impact on my life and I will forever be grateful for this experience.

Impact Intern Spotlight: Hayden Row

Hayden is a 15 year old from Indiana. She is energetic and loves
to goof around with others. Hayden is terrified of frogs, loves chicken
 nuggets, and enjoys meeting new people.

 

A New Experience

 

I had one week with a team of people who I knew would change my life greatly. The Impact team has come to 8mile camp a total of two times, but this past year I was able to connect and understand how this internship changes so many parts of your person.

I anticipated this internship this entire last year. I couldn’t wait to travel and serve children all over the country. I really wanted to experience ministry in new environments and I think I have accomplished this goal fully. The internship has been amazing! We spent many hours in the van, but it was a great time to bond with people from all over the country. The Grand Canyon would have to be one of my favorite stops on our trip. It was so peaceful and calming. You would truly stand in awe at the glory of God. Overall, I have been amazed at the things I have seen on this internship and the places we have traveled. The world is definitely bigger than Indiana and I feel privileged to see a part of it.

Throughout this internship, God has taught me a lot. I now recognize my flaws and have found successful ways to get better. I have also learned how to deal with conflict. We are 14 people who live together for 50 days… Let’s just say, we have our ups and downs. Throughout the summer, I have learned how to confront people if a disagreement starts and catch a conflict before it gets out of hand.

The people on this internship have impacted my life greatly in many ways. It is incredible to think that 14 strangers from all over the country can pour into teens and kids and show them the love of Christ as a united front.

My favorite part of this internship has been the altar time. The little kids will timidly come up to you and ask for prayer. When they ask for prayer they ask for the big and the small. Child-like faith is definitely a real thing and I wish more people had it. I have loved serving little kids. I have realized my passion for kids. While I am still not sure what my calling is, I believe kids will be involved. Whether I am a teacher or minister, children will always be a sweet spot in my life.

Impact Intern Spotlight: Tyler Price

Tyler is a third year intern with Impact Ministries. He is a senior at Messenger
College with a major in worship ministry. Tyler loves to play guitar and collecting
guitar pedals. His favorite activity is to impersonate the Grinch.

 

Career Intern

When it comes to this internship, you could say I’ve been around the block a time or two. I have been interning with Impact Student Ministries for three years now. I have people who automatically assume that I will be at their camp the following year, because of how many times I’ve done this internship and the passion that I have for it. This internship has become a part of who I am. It has shaped me and grown me in ways that I never thought I’d experience. Throughout the course of my “career” as an intern, I have witnessed and seen things that, I can’t even begin to put into words. Hearts have been mended, bodies have been healed, minds have been restored, all from God working through my fellow interns and myself. Now, please don’t take this as me saying that it was all us and we have that power, that’s not it at all. The fact is, is that before we leave every summer, we take time that is devoted to growing in Christ, together. We are always a very close and tight knit team. We take the time to devote ourselves to Christ and to put ourselves into a monster and an atmosphere of constant living and worshiping Christ. Because of this, God has used us, as a team, to further grow and develop his kingdom. 

Now, before I did this internship 3 years ago, I had never done anything like it. I had no idea what to expect. I knew that there was a worship team and they needed a guitar player. But, I had no idea that I was going to have to dance and do kids ministry. A small tidbit about myself, I can keep time musically with the best of them, but you ask me to move my feet and shake my hips, all that rhythm goes right out the door. I couldn’t dance to save my life. I still can’t! But, I can’t tell you the intimacy I felt with God when I did those dances. Were they tiring, yes. Were they hard, yes. But, it helped me to realized that there’s not just one way we can worship God. As a guitar player, worship is something I am very passionate about. It’s my calling in ministry and it’s how I express my love for Christ. 

This year I actually have the opportunity to sing and lead worship at the camps. This is the day I’ve been waiting for since God called me into the ministry in 2012. Leading worship is my passion and it’s everything that I’ve ever wanted to do. And it was made possible, because of this internship. God has opened up so many doors and opportunities in my life. I’ve had the chance to see, hear and do things that I would have never been able to do, had I just stayed in the sweet state of Texas. (How bout them Boys?!) but seriously, God has called each and everyone of us to a higher calling, to go out to ALL the nations. Not just the four walls of our local church, or even the city limits. Gods words needs to be shared with everyone, everyday, everywhere. This internship has allowed me to fulfill my calling that God has placed on my life, which is to show his love, grace and mercy. God has already done so much over the past three years, I can’t wait to see what he has in store next!

Impact Intern Spotlight: Michaela Dove

Michaela is a sophomore at Emmanuel College and originally from Virginia.
She loves playing the bass guitar and running the sound booth.
She is very persistent! One year at camp, she tore her ACL and went weeks
without telling anyone...  

 

Patiently Waiting

 

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Proverbs 16:32

I prayed and waited on the Lord. Five years ago, I started my journey of prayer over this internship but it was never the right time… until this summer. I worked with Fiona at various camps when she served as the DYD of Mid-Atlantic Coast District. I was sad to see her leave her position to serve Impact Ministries and Messenger College, but I knew the Lord’s calling was strong. I have been blessed to serve with her once again this summer.

My love for children stemmed from my mother. She worked as a daycare teacher and I always admired her heart. Even from a young age, I could feel the Lord growing my heart for ministry and I quickly began to get involved in everything in church from worship ministry to youth ministry to children’s ministry. As I continued to volunteer in ministry, I began to sense a deeper calling than I ever imagined. This calling led me to study at Emmanuel College in Georgia. The decision to move away from Virginia was hard, but I knew it was exactly what the Lord wanted. I fought all summer after my senior year to find other options but in the end, Emmanuel College was the place I needed to be. Since being there, I have been stretched much more than I could imagine and have had an overwhelming peace that I know this is where the Lord wants to be right now.

Growing up, going to camp was my favorite part of the summer. When I was given the opportunity to serve with the Impact team this summer, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time than by going from camp to camp bringing the same experience I have had the privilege to experience for so many years to kids who may have never even heard the Gospel before.

Overall, I have been more influenced by being a part of this team than I could ever imagine. Although I expected to be pushed in ministry in new ways, there have been many experiences that have stretched my character in ways I didn’t know I could be stretched! Most of all, I appreciate the people who have surrounded me and supported me throughout this journey. I have enjoyed every second of this trip and love every new friend I have made along the way. By far, the time I waited to be a part of this team was well worth it.



Impact Intern Spotlight: Olivia Carter

Olivia Carter is a recent graduate of Messenger College, an
employee for Impact Ministries, and an incoming grad student.
Olivia has loved her experience at Messenger and cannot wait
to serve as an RD this fall. Olivia loves to dab, was a star in a
rap video, and is a fantastic singer.

 

Impacted to Impact

 

 

I am what you call an intern veteran. I’ve been on this internship three years in a row, and now I am a part of the Impact Student Ministries Staff! For the past three years, I’ve been able to see first-hand, the amazing work that God does in the lives of the Impact interns through this program as well as the work which takes place in students across the nation through the interns as well. The experiences I’ve been able to store up throughout these internships have changed my life. 

I wasn’t really expecting to be a part of the Impact internship the first time around. Randy had asked me to help with worship as the team traveled to various camps across the country. It’s not that I didn’t want to go, it just wasn’t a part of my original plan for the summer. However, I’ve come to find that God tends to meet us often in the unexpected. Looking back on that summer, I can say it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. By no means was it particularly easy or comfortable, but challenging. I had minimal worship leading experience at this point, but what better way to break someone in than to have them lead a team of strangers while being responsible for some of the most important worship experiences of kids and teens lives across the country? Well, at the time, I could think of a lot of better ways, but looking back I wouldn’t change it! The discomfort of it all produced growth; growth that I don’t think could have happened any other way. I now look at the things that used to make me feel like I could throw up in the offering plate as simple tasks. We can’t expect to grow if we aren’t willing to be uncomfortable. Growth lives in discomfort. 

The second year was another growing experience. This year I was being placed as a leading member of the team. Well, I was still an intern…but a bit more of a leader-y intern, ok? Just let me have this. Anyway, the team this year mainly consisted of people I had already known from school. My biggest take away from this summer was a huge lesson in leadership. It’s really easy to be biased, and extremely difficult to lead your friends. This particular internship not only gave me first-hand ministry experience, but equipped me with leadership skills that would carry with me throughout my next year at Messenger College. 

Then there is this summer. I’m a part of the Impact internship not as an intern (for real this time), but as a staff member. I was hired on this past May as “Executive Administrative Assistant” for Impact Student Ministries, and I absolutely love it. Not to be overly sappy, but sometimes I just cry because I am so thankful for the opportunity to do what I get to do. I don’t take it for granted, and count this blessing every single day. I am thankful for the countless amount of times I’ve been poured into by this ministry growing up, and thankful now to be the one pouring. From summer camps to Summerfest to Fall retreats and youth rallies, Impact Student Ministries played a major role in my spiritual development. I can’t say I’d be qualified to work for Impact if God hadn’t already worked in me through Impact. We don’t just call ourselves this, we actually do this, and I stand today as a product of what those before me have already done! 

Impact Intern Spotlight: Timothy Ford

Timmy is a 17 year old, high school senior from Oregon. This is Timmy's second year serving with Impact Student Ministries. Timmy loves Dutch Bros Coffee, texting, dancing, and making new friends.

 

 U-Turn

 

“I want to go, but I can’t go alone…” Those were the words spoken by my 14 year old friend who wanted to go on the Impact Internship. Her parents would not allow her to go to the internship alone and spur of the moment I said “yes”. Little did I know this yes would be one of my best decisions.

 

One week before I said yes, I had given a speech at school about my life. I wanted to be an accountant and attend Notre Dame. You see, my parents are in ministry meaning I was constantly in the spotlight. I never imagined going into ministry. I just wanted to sit in the third row of church, make a good living, and enjoy my life as I wanted it. However, God had other plans… 

 

As I began my journey as an intern, I was brought out of my comfort zone and stretched in many ways. Fiona Parker (our leader) is an incredible woman of God and one of the best children’s speakers I have ever heard. Throughout the summer, she rubbed off on me. I became more confident in my speaking abilities and I was able to meet many new people.

 

One of my favorite quotes is “a leader should be comfortable to be uncomfortable.” I was definitely uncomfortable during this internship, but the Lord worked wonders. The Lord convicted me and completely crushed the plan I had for my life and replaced it with His plan for my life. I now feel called to ministry whether it is in the forefront or background. I believe in whatever I do I need to glorify God and not hold back.

 

I chose to come back for a second year because this internship was a turning point in my life and I looked forward to it all year. I have had a great time so far ministering to kids and I cannot wait for the rest of the summer.

 

#micdrop