Summer Internship 2025
From June 1 to August 3, Georgia, Hannah, Isabella, and David stepped fully into the life of the Church and the steady, sacred work of discipleship.
Every Sunday, they served from call time through service. Monday through Thursday, they arrived at 8:00 a.m. and poured out their gifts until 3:00. They didn’t just help—they prayed, planned, led, learned, and kept showing up.
Outreach
Vacation Bible School
The interns brought the atmosphere to life—designing the space, decorating every corner, and setting the tone for wonder. All week long, they danced, led songs, helped with crafts, guided small groups, and shared the love of Jesus with every child who walked through the door.
They didn’t just serve behind the scenes. They became spiritual big siblings, creating a space where kids felt safe, seen, and deeply known. And for many of those kids, it was more than just fun. It was life changing. Several gave their hearts to Jesus for the first time.Neighborhood
The interns didn’t just serve inside the church. They stepped outside, walking the sidewalks to pray for the neighbors that surround the church property. They laid hands on people, prayed by name, and gave thoughtful gifts and handwritten notes as the Spirit led.
One neighbor was so moved she responded with handwritten letters of her own, thanking each intern personally. Her words captured what many others expressed too: “Why would you do this? It’s so generous!” The answer was simple and moving: Love.
Ministry Tracks
Worship
With guidance from Marri Dahir, Georgia and Isabella deepened their discernment while leading us in worship. Their voices didn’t just fill the room. They stirred hearts, lifted eyes, and reminded us of the reality of God’s presence.Youth
Hannah served faithfully in youth ministry under the mentorship of Austin Holman. Her steady presence and helpful spirit created safety for students to be seen, known, and loved.Media
With Adam Dahir’s support, David brought his tech gifts to the table—capturing moments on Sunday morning and editing content.
Capstone Projects
Each intern completed a project that reflected their unique voice and contribution.
Isabella wrote an original worship song
Georgia wrote a devotional on worship
David created short-form recap videos
Hannah designed a full curriculum for children’s ministry
Mentorship and Bible Study
Each week, Jodi Smith, D’Arcy Hayes, Clover Newman, and Cheree Hayes met one-on-one with the interns. These conversations became sacred space for asking honest questions, processing real moments, and growing in spiritual maturity.
On Tuesdays, Debbie Jones walked them through deep leadership lessons from the book of Nehemiah. On Wednesdays, Zac Bogar taught spiritual disciplines and fresh perspectives in the Bible.
Leadership Development Labs
Every Thursday, interns gathered for leadership labs with Kathy Bricel, Terri Cowley, Kathryn Holman, and Cheree Hayes. Each session invited the interns to rediscover leadership through a new lens.
We didn’t start with strategies. We started with identity. They laid down false labels and let God speak a better word. Forgiveness wasn’t just a nice idea—it became a spiritual law that sets leaders free to move with heaven’s wisdom and freedom. Confession stopped being about managing guilt and started looking like truth-telling that builds real, healing community. Even time management shifted. It stopped being about control and started becoming worship. Enjoy God first. Then build a life that flows from that place.
Host Families
Austin and Kathryn Holman welcomed Georgia, Isabella, and Hannah into their home. Mike and Susie Rollinger hosted David.
These families did more than provide a place to stay. They offered belonging.
Redemption: Letter from Georgia
This summer, I have been so blown away by the Lord’s faithfulness and intentionality in the way that He moves. Before we even came to Yakima, Cheree had all of the interns ask the Lord for a word for the summer. The word He gave me was redemption, and boy, did He do that this summer.
I walked into this summer carrying a lot of church hurt. I had previously been on staff at a church and left feeling so burnt out, wounded, and used. Despite being called to lead worship since I was in sixth grade, I left that church feeling like I never wanted to work in a church or really be an active participant in a local church again. I had given up on the Church. I saw the Church as being a poor example of Jesus and thought that if I was in a church again, I would leave feeling so wounded once more.
Then the Lord called me to Yakima for this summer. While there were some nerves coming into the summer, I also had great expectancy for what the Lord had in store. He did so much more than I could have ever imagined. He was so intentional in not only caring about redeeming the big things, but also the little things too.
I have seen His redemption in the intentionality and love of my host family.
I have seen His redemption in the trustworthy pastors and leaders who have shepherded and loved me so well this summer.
I have seen His redemption in the two-minute conversations had in church hallways.
I have seen His redemption in falling in love with leading worship again.
I have seen His redemption in a congregation who loves the Lord and His people so deeply.
The Lord is so faithful to redeem. I will forever be grateful that I got to call this place home for nine weeks. Yakima will forever hold such a sweet place in my heart!
Flame: Letter from Isabella
At the beginning of the summer, I was hesitant and unsure whether I even wanted to come. I was wrestling with the idea of leaving my younger siblings again after having already spent the school year away in Southern California. Despite those feelings, I sensed a clear calling to be here, so I listened and came.
Upon arriving, I was welcomed by an incredibly joyful community. It felt as if every person I encountered was filled with the joy of the Lord. I hadn’t experienced that kind of genuine warmth and spiritual unity in a church setting for quite some time. From the very start, everyone greeted us with open arms and open hearts.
During our first meeting, Cheree encouraged us to ask God to give us a word for the summer. The word I received was flame. At first, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I initially thought it might have something to do with my family coming to know Jesus. But as the summer continued, God gave me clarity.
This flame wasn’t destructive, it was purifying. It was meant to burn away the things that were standing in the way of a deeper relationship with the Father. I faced several difficult situations this summer that I felt completely unprepared for. But through prayer and by inviting others to walk with me, clarity and peace came.
I realized I wasn’t meant to be fully prepared. I was meant to surrender, to give it to the Father. Now, looking back, I can truthfully say that I am at peace with the challenges I faced. The flame God gave me has been refining, not consuming, and it has drawn me closer to Him in ways I never expected.
Awake: Letter from Hannah
Before starting this internship, I was struggling with not knowing what I was supposed to do with my life. I felt lost and unsure of what the Lord was calling me to do. In my stress, I started praying, asking God for opportunities to grow my relationship with Him and hopefully give me an answer for the direction I was supposed to go.
Not even a week later, Chantal Edler reached out to me, asking if I would be interested in the summer internship program they offer at YFC. I quickly jumped at the opportunity, and to my joy, I was offered the position. I was both nervous and excited to begin this new journey.
During preparation for the internship, we were asked to spend intentional time with the Lord to find a word to define our summer. The word that I got was awake. God made His presence known from the very beginning of the internship as staff prayed over us and the time we would be spending there. It was a beautiful moment where God's presence was tangible.
During this time, Delinda expressed how I showed up the first day stating everything that I was not, from a very worldly perspective. She enlightened me by saying that I am already doing what the Lord has called me to do, which is to get up and follow Him wherever He wants to lead me.
Throughout the internship, the Lord has continued to meet me in new and unexpected ways. He has been transforming me, revealing more of His character, and helping me understand who I truly am in Him. It has been a season of awakening to His purpose and my identity in Him. God has refreshed me, provided for me, and poured out blessings I didn’t even know I needed.
He has shown up again and again, reminding me that I am never alone and that He is always working in my life. This summer has been such a great time of growth and learning, and I may not have all the answers yet, but I cannot wait to see how God continues to awaken things within me.
Led: Letter from David
This internship has been a blessing to me! I have been deeply blessed by the interactions I’ve had with the entire Yakima Foursquare community. There have been many lessons I’ve learned and things I’ve heard from the Lord during my time here.
I came into this internship with a word from the Lord: led. It was based on Psalm 23:1–3, where the psalmist speaks of the Lord leading to rest and lying down. This time has truly been one of joy and rest, guided by God. I have grown so much simply by being present and receiving from all that has taken place during this internship.
The friendships that have formed and the discussions I’ve had during this time have helped me see a beautiful example of a Christlike community. It has encouraged me to bring the same loving and caring environment that I’ve been blessed to experience this summer back to California.
I’ve been placed in areas I didn’t feel prepared for, but God has shown me just how much He has transformed me over the course of my life. I am beyond words with gratitude for the opportunity to spend my summer serving here at Yakima Foursquare.