Synergistic Launch InternProgram
The purpose and goals of Synergistic Launch will be designed to expose, educate, and encourage a young person to explore their opportunities in either a full-time vocational Christian ministry/church, bi-vocational Christian ministry, or in a secular workplace environment through a hands-on internship. With the strategies coordinated between PCM, ICM, and specific local churches, the intern that is chosen will be offered opportunities to gain the exposure, learn from those with years of invested ministry knowledge, and build a foundation of practical and first-hand observational experience. From this opportunity, the intern will be equipped to properly understand the impact of their decision to follow the Lord with their vocation.
Expose:
Exposure to a variety of different areas of ministry life: in planning meetings, event coordinating, service planning, ministry logistics, etc.
Guided in discovering theintern’s own gifts and abilities through different evaluation devices: personality tests, spiritual gift evaluations, and specific books that focus on understanding one’s leadership styles.
The awareness will increase over time as the intern gains more experience and learns, they will be entrusted with more as it suits to their abilities.
Educate:
Attend conferences & seminars for the chosen area of ministry.
Read a blog or an article from a Christian resource on the area of ministry every week.
Potentially visit a seminary for consideration of further education.
Supervisor will teach the realities of daily ministry.
Encourage:
Assess the God-given abilities as to whether their gifts and talents would be of greater value in the church or ministry or secular workplace.
Personal mentorship by the supervisor with the intern will aid in their evaluation and application of their experiences as well as provide a support system for the future.
We will seek to find creative and unique forms of encouragement
Skills gained during the internship will provide them with skills to endure when things are difficult.
Synergistic Launch will help the mission of our ministries by assisting college students to utilize the theological lens of vocation to examine the relationship between their faith and their life and career choices, and will specifically encourage those college students with inclinations for Christian leadership to explore potential calls to full-time Christian ministry. It will give inspiration to fellow students who observe and are impacted by the example set by the intern.
Synergistic Launch begins August 2016. PCM and ICM are located in West Lafayette, Indiana, on the main campus of Purdue University. Purdue Collegiate Ministry (PCM) has been a registered student organization at Purdue for just over 50 years ministering to students. International Campus Ministry (ICM) has only been in existence for almost 5 years ministering to the enormous international student population. Wabash Valley Baptist Association (WVBA) is the overseeing board of PCM/ICM with approximately 20 churches. In conjunction with the WVBA and the PCM/ICM, broad opportunities of ministry exploration will be readily available.
After completing this program, interns will have been provided significant ministry experience on our campus or in a local church of the WVBA. This intern program will allow the intern, with the guidance of personal accountability and real-life training, to begin to discern the direction that God is leading them, whether full-time vocational ministry or missional living in the secular workplace. No matter the outcome, the experience gained will encourage disciple-making.
Why Intern with PCM/ICM?
UniqueEnvironment–with 40,000 students (just over 9,200 of them are international) on our campus, diversity of students is easily recognizable. Students represent all major world religions and other worldviews.
Variety in Ministry Experiences – this program has you, the intern, in mind. Based on your talents, abilities, and previous experiences, we are able to tailor a specializedprogram foryou.
Leadership Development – you will have the opportunity to be equipped to lead, while being supported and encouraged to learn and sharpen your leadership skills.
Networking Potential – through current staff, area pastors, fellow national campus ministries represented on our campus and in our area, you will be given opportunity to interact and possibly work with them.
Mentoring – there will be many opportunities to interact with several mentors, both inside and outside your specific ministry area, and with individuals who are able to help you pursue your individual calling.
Discern Your Calling – an internship is a great way to explore first-hand what full-time ministry looks like as a vocation, or how one lives out their missional calling in other vocations. This program will give you a wide variety of opportunities to explore how God is working in your life.
What Ministry Areas Are Available for Interns?
We believe it’s important for interns to explore and to grow in their general understanding of ministry as well as gain specific experience in a ministry area of great interest to the intern.
These areas include:
American Student Ministry- focus on building relationships with American students here at Purdue
International Student Ministry- focus on building cross-cultural relationships with international students here at Purdue and encouraging others to join you
Pastoral Ministry-teaching, preaching, and other duties associated with being a lead/associate pastor
Student Ministry-student ministry for Junior High and Senior High School students
Young Adult Group-supervised ministry in a church environment
Worship (Music)- helping with worship teams on campus or a church (based on skill level and experience)
Communications- Social media, online ministry, graphics, video editing, promotions and marketing on campus
What Can You Expect from Us?
Weekly meeting with your mentor
Bi-weekly meetings and periodic training from the Intern Program Lead Team – we will pray together, read and discuss things together, and discuss ministry wins and struggles together
Additional training you are interested in, whether theological or hands-on
Exposure to the full scope of campus ministry, including participating in leadership meetings, counseling, marketing and promotions, event planning and execution, and more
Opportunity to grow spiritually and grow as a leader, and to better understand your unique calling
Hourly pay= $10 (10-15 hr./wk. required)
An expense account for books, materials, ministry meals, conferences, and seminary visits.
What Will We Expect from You?
Daily journaling: recording your experiences, both the highs and lows, also, to express in writing what God is revealing to you.
One-on-one weekly mentoring meetings to discuss experiences, achievements, failures, objectives, discuss your journal.
Discuss, plan, and execute weekly activities with supervisor.
Attend a conference or workshop on ministry.
Assume leadership responsibilities over time.
Meet with a recommended life coach.
Meet for a mentoring session with local counselor.
Training (formal and informal) on budget planning, support raising, and time management.
In the fall semester, research and give a presentation on another denomination other than Baptist.
In the spring semester, research and give a presentation on a different world religion other than Christianity.
Serve on a mission trip- Short-term (3+ weeks) or Summer long, cross-cultural/international mission trip
Exit interview to determine future vocational ministry.
What Else Should You Know About Us?
Our Mission – Knowing Him and making Him known
Our Approach – coming alongside students to either encourage their lifelong walk with Jesus or connect them to Jesus for the first time
Our Affiliation – we are part of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Wabash Valley Baptist Assoc.
Our Core Beliefs – see online at
Our Location – 507 Waldron Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906, Purdue University
Our Intern Lead Team – Ben Beck (Director of PCM), Dennis Runner (Director of ICM), and Nettie Beck (Assoc. Director of PCM/Office Manager). Additional members could be off-campus mentors will be appropriate church pastors and staff.
Timeline:
March 31, 2016- Deadline to receive completed Applications (e-mail)
April 1-15, 2016- Interviews conducted (in person or video call)
May 1, 2016- Final decision made on selected candidates
August 2016- Internship begins
Fall Semester 2016 – Assignment given, mentor(s) determined, work begins
Spring Semester 2017 – Expand opportunities for ministry & leadership
Summer 2017 –Short-term (3+ weeks) or Summer long, cross-cultural/international mission trip
July 31, 2017- Internship concludes (pending return from mission trip)
If you have questions, please contact us at The internship application is available online at: or