We accept Christian students or adults 19 years of age or older who desire to experience ministry among the poor and marginalized. Interns (non-academic) are primarily used in the summer with our programs but are welcome to apply year round. Please see the programs on this website to see if this is where God might be leading you to serve and join with us in experiencing the Kingdom.
The summer includes Poverty Simulation, volunteer assignments (usually in several program areas based on program need and intern interests), weekly forums to learn about urban ministry issues, book discussions, bible study, learning goals, and more!. The summer internship lasts 10 weeks (May 27-Aug 3 in 2010). Summer interns are welcome to apply to go on the Mexico City Mission Exposure Trip (usually in July - see other page on this website), with costs paid by the intern.
(There are also regular volunteer opportunities for those who would like to help without the extra responsibilities/requirements of the internship -- see Volunteer Info on other page of website. Contact us if this is a better fit for you at this time.)
Supervision for internships to fulfill academic requirements can also be arranged as needed throughout the calendar year. We have supervised previous interns in numerous academic disciplines, such as social work, seminary/theology/missions, community organizing, economic development, public relations, youth, child and family studies, etc. Please contact us about areas not mentioned. The majority of our academic internships take place here in Waco, however if you have a particular interest in international issues, please let us know and we'll see what options may be available.
Intern Application Process - Non-Academic:
* Contact Kathy Wise to let us know you are interested, or for more information.
* Click here for a printable Intern Application for non-academic internships. Read the application carefully as it provides more information.
* Mission Waco staff and others are praying for you -- and we trust you and your faith community are praying and asking for God's direction regarding your future plans including whether or not to intern with Mission Waco.
* If you would like to visit Mission Waco to get to know us a bit in person, we would be glad to discuss dates and housing arrangements with you.
* We would like to have all Summer 2010 intern applications and references in by end of March 2010 (or sooner!) so we can fully consider everyone. If you are interested in fall or spring internships, contact us for more info.
* All interns must participate in an interview (phone interviews can be arranged as needed) prior to being accepted. Interviews will be scheduled after we receive your application.
* We ask that you contribute to the cost of your internship through Mission Waco by helping fundraise donations for the Intern Program. You are encouraged to involve your local faith community in sending you to serve and grow this summer! They do this through their prayer and financial support to Mission Waco's mission. We will work with each intern in the process of raising the money. All costs are subject to Mission Waco’s guidelines and policies and are fully discussed during the interview process. The intern program costs Mission about $2000 per intern and includes: free housing, weekly "per diem" for food/misc, staff time for supervision and training, and learning experiences and materials. Interns who successfully complete the summer internship and fundraising goal are also provided some funds to attend the Christian Community Development Association conference in the following fall (usually in Oct in a major U.S. city). Some internship scholarships are available from Mission Waco (based on need or as available). Some interns are sent to Mission Waco by various denominational organizations or grants that provide full or partial funding -- if this is your situation, please notify us when you apply for the internship as this will fulfill the fundraising goals for your internship in most cases. The bottom line is that if we all agree that you need to be at Mission Waco this summer, then we'll trust God to make a way! Please call or email if you have any questions at all!
Intern Application Process - Academic:
* Contact Kathy Wise to let us know you are interested, or for more information.
* We need to know the semester in which you want to intern, and also we need to review a copy of your syllabus and internship requirements.
"Look around you, with open eyes, at all the relationships that you can dive into. You'll be blessed, while being a blessing."
Quotes from summer 2009 interns:
What have you learned this summer about yourself?
* I'm changed in a good way. I have a desire to live life out with what I've learned here.
* I'm called.
* I feel called to live among the community of the poor and marginalzied, instead of detached and driving an hour to get there. Community!
* I'm learning to love those I've looked past previously.
* I really do love urban ministry! I am a sinner in ministry too.
* I have much to learn from the poor: we are responsible for loving our neighbors, vulnerability and struggle cause us to rely on God and often bring the most learning and growth.
What have you learned that impacts your view of Jesus Christ, the Church or community?
* Community is essential to Christian faith.
* The Church needs work.
* The Church is a beautiful thing. I almost gave up on it.
* I've known about God's heart for the poor, but now I see why.
* Jesus: incarnational ministry = moving into the neighborhood
* The Church doesn't have to be polished to be godly. Duh!
* There is hope for the Church as a body of believers. The Church as an institution needs to spend less focus/energy on appearance and comfort and more on lvoing creation.
* Relationships are vital. Relationships aren't a project in hopes to change people so you can feel like a better Christian. Relationships are a pure commitment, where love is discovered to be the hardest thing ever to be achieved, where change may never come.
Why should someone spend their summer volunteering at Mission Waco?
* Why shouldn't they? The summer challenged me to learn, grow, love and live out my beliefs and faith.
* It will change your life, your view of the church, and your definition of love.
* Mission Waco brings interns into a world where compassion is a necessary action for Christians.
* Willingly sticking your mouth to a fire hydrant and taking in all the richness and loving kindness of our Saviour through urban ministry.
* To learn the value of service; to experience working with the poor as a lifestyle, not just a week-long "did my good deed" fix; learn to live life with the poor; gain understanding and compassion.
What's your favorite summer 2009 memory?
* any time we got to pick Jimmy Dorrell's brain!
* late night bike ride
* mornings at the Meyer Center
* Sitting outside My Brother's Keeper shelter with W., playing the guitar and singing, hearing his story.
* When we washed the feet of the homeless and they washed ours.
* Seeing Christ's body celebrate and share gifts and creativity and praise.
* Biking! You see and experience more of the neighborhood, you save gas money and the environment, you get exercise, and you have more time to think :)
* Seeing the teens in summer job training program at their work sites -- shining like stars!
Any advice for future interns?
* Open up your mind and try to come in with a clean slate and no presuppositions.
* Look around you, with open eyes, at all the relationships that you can dive into. You'll be blessed, while being a blessing.
* For building relationships with neighbors and program participants: stick your neck out on the line - be uncomfortable - listen well. Then go out of your way to make/create an opportunity to do what they like to do in their turf.
* Take advantage of the weekends to reach out - -don't be selfish with your time - the summer goes by fast!
* Be intentional in building relationships with neighbors and program participants. Make a commitment early in the summer... set aside several hours a week to make efforts and get involved right off the bat.
"Commit. Immerse yourself.
Don't resist. Jump in!"
Quotes from summer 2008 interns:
What have you learned this summer about yourself?
* I'm more capable than I let myself believe.
* Found clarity in my call to urban ministry.
* I am spoiled.
* I am selfish and need to be less materialistic
What have you learned that impacts your view of Jesus Christ or community?
* Hanging out with people can be just as effective, if not more, than serving them.
* The value of the mentally ill, who are just as much part of the body of Christ.
* Christ can be seen in the smallest acts or life situations
* Leadership is a delicate balance -- letting myself be led, prayerfully making decisions
* Ministry of Gratitude
Why should someone spend their summer volunteering at Mission Waco?* The experience of seeing God in the community of North Waco, community of the intern group, community of Mission Waco, and community of God as a whole.
* It seriously changed my life.
* To learn to serve God better, and get a bigger Kingdom view.
What's your favorite summer 2008 memory?
* Enjoying time in community at My Brother's Keeper, and our visit to World Hunger Relief farm.
* Community with interns, relationships with kids, time spent at My Brother's Keeper.
* Spending time with interns and Manna House guys.
* Talking with participants at My Brother's Keeper. Watching several of them get apartments and jobs. Helping out at the clinic.
Any advice for future interns?
* Commit. Immerse yourself. Don't resist. Jump in!
"WACO MESSED UP MY LIFE!"
Quotes from summer 2007 interns:
Why should someone spend their summer volunteering at Mission Waco?
* I have learned more in this two months than I have ever learned in such a short period of time. Waco will honestly change your life. it is amazing to see the changed lives and selfless followers of Christ. May God bless you, Waco!
* You learn and experience SO many things that will (should) change your everyday life! The things that are so easily avoidable as a middle-class person are brought forth and become SO enjoyable!
* It is awesome. And you gain a wealth of knowledge and experience from the people you work with, all the people.
* Because it is completely worth it and will change your life!
* Because it will change your life to be more like Christ.
What's your favorite summer 2007 memory?
* There are so many... last day at youth (dancing)... seeing C. from My Brother's Keeper being sober for 5 days this past Sunday...All God!
* Going biking around Waco and Baylor... dancing with kids at youth and being on the van with them the last day.
* With the kids... chapel with the boys on the last night at Camp Hope; with the interns...late night bike ride; with Meyer Center folks... seeing people go from homeless to having jobs.
* Bike ride with interns; Street Camp at Parkside (all those kids!)
* Mexico City! C. and P. lovingly embracing me every Sunday morning. R. getting and keeping a job, along with the others being empowered by Mission Waco.