2018 Elisha and Samuel interns. Left to right, Chelsey Schmeling, Luke Woodahl, Thanael Certa-Werner, Natasha Letcher, and Synnova Geranen.

Last summer, Chelsey Schmeling spent time exploring her call to ministry at Bismarck Legacy UMC. “At Legacy, I have gotten a little taste of everything,” said Chelsey. “I loved every part of my internship.”

Do you know a gifted college student who is discerning where God is calling them?  Recruit that student to apply for an Elisha Project internship this summer.

The Elisha Project is an internship program that allows an opportunity for students to explore, discern their call and discuss with mentors and peers where God is calling them. 

Two Dakota Wesleyan University students, Luke Woodahl and Thanael Certa-Werner are serving as Elisha interns with Dakota Wesleyan University and Fusion Church this year. They both have defined their call to ministry through the Elisha Project.

“My dad is a pastor. My mom is a pastor. I have lots of relatives involved in ministry. My call has always been there in front of me,” says Thanael. “Working with campus ministry and Fusion has helped me grow and understand my call. I am ready to seek it out more.”

“I am definitely being called,” Luke says. “The Elisha internship is helping me figure things out.  I am not sure what my call is going to look like exactly.”

One of the things that Chelsey learned during the internship is she is not entirely sure what area of ministry she is called to. “I love children’s ministry. I really like seeing kids in love with God and helping them experience God. I don’t like the idea of preaching as much.”

One of things I learned during my internship is that you have to equip others. “That hardest thing to do as a pastor is not to do everything,” says Thanael.

Thanael is from Superior, Wisconsin which is part of the Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church. He is on the path to be a candidate for ministry with the Dakotas Conference. “The Dakotas Conference is investing in my call and so many others through things like the Elisha internship,” Thanael says. 

“I had no idea what goes into being a pastor. You could wake up one day and be focused on giving a sermon. Another day you could be comforting someone in need of care,” Luke says. “The job is vast. The internship has opened my eyes.”

Students who have completed at least one year of college completed the application process, and are selected by the Elisha committee will be assigned to a church and mentor.

Interns will have the opportunity to:

• Preach and lead a Bible study or devotional

• Plan worship

• Be involved in social justice or outreach ministry

• Observe leadership governance at a host site

• Provide pastoral care

Students selected for an internship will receive a stipend of $4000 for 40 hours per week from the Dakota Annual Conference and the Board of Ordained Ministry.  View Elisha Intern profile videos here.  March 1st is the application deadline.  Get the details and an application here.