Meet the Summer Interns!
David:
Ministry team: Students
College: recent graduate of Bethel University
Favorite Bible story: David and Goliath
Guilty pleasure: Oreos and milk
Favorite vacation destination: Cozumel, Mexico
Favorite book: Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow
What do you want to gain from this experience? I hope to grow and mature my relationship with God in new ways as well as develop new relationships with colleagues through this internship experience.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? I am most looking forward to working with students at camps.
Shelby:
Ministry team: Students
College: Mankato State
Favorite Bible story: The woman caught in adultery. It shows the grace Jesus has for us all. He wants us to turn from sin instead of turning away from each other.
Guilty pleasure: reality TV and chocolate
Favorite vacation destination: VERMONT!!
Favorite book: not a big reader, but probably Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
What do you want to gain from this experience? I want to be stretched; discomfort means that I’m growing.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? Becoming close with the other interns and staff
Ryan:
Ministry team: Worship
College: recent graduate of St. John’s University
Favorite Bible story: The prodigal son
Guilty pleasure: watching Criminal Minds
Favorite vacation destination: Montana
Favorite book: Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan
What do you want to gain from this experience? I hope to build new authentic relationships with other believers as well as grow musically and as a leader.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? I am looking forward to helping out with worship on Sundays and making a difference in the CPC community by bringing more people to Christ.
Lindsay:
Ministry team: Kids
College: Baylor University
Favorite Bible story: David and Goliath
Guilty pleasure: Netflix
Favorite vacation destination: Hawaii
Favorite book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
What do you want to gain from this experience? This summer I want to deepen my faith and my roots here at CPC.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? Creating relationships with kids at CPC and going to camp!
Matt:
Ministry team: Kids
College: Iowa State
Favorite Bible story: I love the calling of Matthew the tax collector because of the message that Jesus came for the broken and the sinners. (And it doesn’t hurt that it’s my namesake!)
Guilty pleasure: Dungeons and Dragons
Favorite vacation destination: Aruba
Favorite book: The Great Book of Amber by Roger Zelazny
What do you want to gain from this experience? I’m excited to gain leadership skills.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? Watching kids grow in their faith and ask questions that I’m not expecting!
Trent:
Ministry team: Students
College: Grand Canyon University
Favorite Bible story: I love Saul’s conversion.
Guilty pleasure: watching House Hunters
Favorite vacation destination: Vietnam
Favorite book: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
What do you want to gain from this experience? Among many things, I would like to be stretched in my leadership abilities.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? I am most looking forward to showing students what a life led by Christ can look like.
James:
Ministry team: Students
College: University of Minnesota
Favorite Bible story: Jesus and Peter walking on water
Guilty pleasure: watching Desperate Housewives
Favorite vacation destination: Turks and Caicos
Favorite book: Love Does by Bob Goff
What do you want to gain from this experience? I hope to be a part of a really amazing community and gain skills to be able to better serve my Young Life area!
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? I am most looking forward to connecting with other interns, CPC staff, and students!
Claire M:
Ministry team: Missions
College: Wheaton College
Favorite Bible story: Jesus heals the bleeding woman (Luke 8:43-48)
Guilty pleasure: Ice cream! Particularly Ben and Jerry’s
Favorite vacation destination: Budapest, Hungary
Favorite book: You Are What You Love by James K. A. Smith
What do you want to gain from this experience? Practical ministry experience and a deepening of my love for God and others.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? Relationships with the staff and fellow interns!
Justin:
Ministry team: Students
College: Augsburg University
Favorite Bible story: The transformation of Paul
Guilty pleasure: Sour Patch Kids
Favorite vacation destination: New York City
Favorite book: Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
What do you want to gain from this experience? I hope to gain some long-lasting, life-giving relationships.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? Being a part of a student’s journey with Christ.
Claire S:
Ministry team: Kids
College: Grand Canyon University
Favorite Bible story: The story of Paul
Guilty pleasure: Fortnite
Favorite vacation destination: Florida
Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
What do you want to gain from this experience? I want to grow in my faith and leadership skills.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? I’m psyched to hang with all the kids and to get to know all these families this summer.
Susannah:
Ministry team: Communications
College: Wheaton College
Favorite Bible story: Peter walking on water
Guilty pleasure: Sebastian Joe’s Pavarotti ice cream
Favorite vacation destination: London, England
Favorite book: Love Does by Bob Goff
What do you want to gain from this experience? I hope to learn how I can invite others into ministry through social media, CPC Life, the website, and other forms of communication. I am also excited to deepen my faith alongside the other interns and CPC staff.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? I cannot wait to learn about all of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into showing the community how God is working through CPC and how I can use communications to get people connected with the church.
Gretchen:
Ministry team: Students
College: University of Minnesota Duluth
Favorite Bible story: Zacchaeus the tax collector. Even though he was not very well-liked by the public, Jesus saw him and wanted to stay at his house. I think this says a lot about Jesus in that He wants everyone to feel seen and loved no matter who they are or what they have done.
Guilty pleasure: falling asleep anywhere
Favorite vacation destination: Northern California! San Francisco/ Yosemite/Lake Tahoe make a perfect vacation.
Favorite book: An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
What do you want to gain from this experience? This internship is unique because we are able and encouraged to grow and stretch ourselves and our faith while also guiding students and kids to grow in their faith as well. I hope to grow in my faith as well as gain confidence in my leadership abilities with students.
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? I am really looking forward to making connections with people. I love to build relationships with all kinds of people, so during COVID-19 it was especially hard for me to make new connections. I am super excited to be able to meet new students and care for them on their journey!
Jessi:
Ministry team: Students
College: Wheaton College
Favorite Bible story: The thief on the cross
Guilty pleasure: Diet Coke
Favorite vacation destination: Disneyworld!
Favorite book: The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile
What do you want to gain from this experience? I hope to not only help students grow in their relationship with Christ, but to also deepen my own faith along the way!
What are you most looking forward to about this summer? I am most excited to build many new friendships with my coworkers, staff, and the students I will be leading!