As school starts back and summer ends, I am wrapping up a chapter in my life that has effected me in ways I never thought possible. Near the end of last semester, I agreed to spend my summer as a youth intern for a local church. The requirements and expectations seemed basic enough, yet I had no clue what I was getting into. The internship gave me an entire new perspective of youth ministry, and what it means to be an intern.

At times, it can be challenging. Being a youth intern means becoming vulnerable and inviting complete strangers into your own personal journey of faith. It can be pretty nerve-racking to go to a new church where everyone knows each other and you're the outsider. As a mentor to the younger generation, you want to be a role model, but a friend at the same time. However, after I spent a week with the youth at a camp, I immediately felt apart of the family and welcomed.

It is also can be heart-filling when you see what everyone struggles with and you get to know everyone's stories. Just seeing how strong this group was and the child-like faith was inspiring. They don't realize just how much of an impact they have on others, and they're still so young. I loved getting to discuss hard questions about Christianity and spreading God's love with this group of young adults. They helped open my eyes and let me discover more about myself and Jesus that I never knew before.

Being a youth intern is also, and most importantly, fun. As a college student, I am constantly stressed. Being with the kids twice a week always reminded me to take life less seriously and to be silly. Everyone needs to run around the church and play games sometimes. They taught me to let my guard down and they accepted me like Jesus does. It's okay to get messy and it's okay to not be perfect. In a world where everyone competes to be first and the best at everything, they reminded me that I am able to relax and that I have the time and ability to stop and smell the roses.

It is bittersweet to leave them for a semester, and I cannot wait to return and visit my new brothers and sisters in Christ. Through all of the trials and triumphs this Summer, I wouldn't change a thing. I thank the church and my college for giving me this wonderful opportunity; and I thank God for allowing me to have so many magnificent leaders and mentors that I met and got to serve at the church as well.

If you want to get to know Jesus and what he's all about, I encourage you to intern at least once in youth ministry. You won't regret it.

1 Timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all leaders in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."