Internship
History and Vision
In 2001, Youth for Truth International began its first internship. God gave Pastor Dan Harris a vision to begin an internship challenging young adults to set aside one year of their lives to fully devote themselves to Christ, in spiritual discipline, service to Christ and personal development. Youth for Truth and Youth for Christ are convinced that being part of a discipleship program will change a person’s life. Discipleship is having someone in your life to guide you in your relationship with God and this person will keep you accountable as well as challenge you when you need it. Discipleship builds accountability, discipline, direction and maturity in the spiritual life. Our goal is to instill lifelong godly habits and attitudes that will stay with these interns for the rest of their life, weather they go on to fulltime ministry, college or a trade school, get a secular job or if they get married and become a parent. We will not take more than eight interns at one time. The reason for this is so that we can invest the time needed for each individual. Our desire is that, when they have completed their internship, to see these young adults take what they have learned back to their church, family and friends.
It is a proven fact that young adults will change their major in college an average of 5 times before graduating from college. As you know education is very expensive and time consuming. One of our goals is to help a young adult discover what their gifts and natural God given abilities are. Some people enter the internship knowing exactly what they want to do with their life, then by the time the internship is complete they discover that they really don’t like that what they thought they did, or they discover they are not good at that job but they really excel in another. So now, when they enter college, they can focus on what they are called to do with their life without wasted classes.
In 2001, Youth for Truth International began its first internship. God gave Pastor Dan Harris a vision to begin an internship challenging young adults to set aside one year of their lives to fully devote themselves to Christ, in spiritual discipline, service to Christ and personal development. Youth for Truth and Youth for Christ are convinced that being part of a discipleship program will change a person’s life. Discipleship is having someone in your life to guide you in your relationship with God and this person will keep you accountable as well as challenge you when you need it. Discipleship builds accountability, discipline, direction and maturity in the spiritual life. Our goal is to instill lifelong godly habits and attitudes that will stay with these interns for the rest of their life, weather they go on to fulltime ministry, college or a trade school, get a secular job or if they get married and become a parent. We will not take more than eight interns at one time. The reason for this is so that we can invest the time needed for each individual. Our desire is that, when they have completed their internship, to see these young adults take what they have learned back to their church, family and friends.
It is a proven fact that young adults will change their major in college an average of 5 times before graduating from college. As you know education is very expensive and time consuming. One of our goals is to help a young adult discover what their gifts and natural God given abilities are. Some people enter the internship knowing exactly what they want to do with their life, then by the time the internship is complete they discover that they really don’t like that what they thought they did, or they discover they are not good at that job but they really excel in another. So now, when they enter college, they can focus on what they are called to do with their life without wasted classes.
The Intern Program
Youth for Truth and Youth for Christ’s internship is designed to develop a young person’s spiritual life, enhance their ability to serve others and also to develop their personal character. The first few months the interns will be devoted to digging into God’s Word, the Bible. As they draw closer to God, it is our desire that they will develop a passion for His Word and a hunger for more time with Christ. The Lord has blessed us all with gifts and talents. During this time they will find and develop the gifts and talents that the Lord has given them. As they are taken out of their normal routine of life their desire to rid themselves of anything that is not from God will increase. They will be deeply challenged, but along with these challenges they will experience many adventures that will build memories and bonds between them and their fellow interns. This is a time in their life to allow God to shake the world out of them like never before. This leaves room for God to fill a person with His love and strength. This is an opportunity to learn to hear the voice of God directing our steps. Another aspect of our internship is to devote oneself to service. As they go out into the community with a renewed vision, their desire will be to help others learn to become followers of Christ. The interns will be equipped to share their faith in many ways. We feel that the most effective and lasting way to introduce someone to Christ is to be a reflection of Him and to build relationships with people who need to see Christ lived out in you. Then the most important step, after someone decides to follow Christ, is to disciple them. To show them what the Bible says about how we should live our life and to answer questions as well as to be an example for them. When we look at our ultimate example, Jesus that is what he did with the 12 disciples. He devoted himself to them, yet at the same time, continued to reach out to others who needed Him. The interns will minister to youth in different youth groups and churches throughout Southern California. They will be involved with Youth for Christ and the many programs in which YFC offers, building relationships with young people and reflecting Christ to them. The cool thing about being an intern is that they do not have the distraction of working a full time job or attending college, so all their time is devoted to ministering to others and serving Christ. It’s amazing how important an intern becomes to these precious young lives. They will be presenting skits as well as a special drama with your team of other interns. They will discover how to use their testimony as a tool in presenting Christ to individuals. They will even learn how to minister to children as clowns, mimes, and puppets. They will enjoy hitting the streets and taking part in many evangelical events with multiple opportunities to share their faith. There will be options of going to another country overseas. Interns will experience some inner city ministries and possibly be a part of a disaster relief team. This is also the time to get some office experience in the YFT or YFC office. What a great opportunity to watch the Lord move mightily in your life! This commitment has helped many other interns find the Lord’s calling in their lives, now it’s your turn! Pray hard, and see if God directs you to be a Youth for Truth Intern.
Where is the internship based?
The internship is held in Hemet, California. Hemet is in Southern California just west of the San Jacinto mountain range next to Palm Springs and about 45 miles east of Riverside. Hemet is about 30 minutes from the mountains, one hour from the desert and one hour from the ocean. The interns will be living in a large house where the guys share one room together and the girls share another. We only allow up to four guys and four girls per internship. Sharing a dorm room with three other people helps to develop their character and teach them great lessons about becoming a team. The girls have their own bathroom and the guys will be using the guest bathroom. The intern house has a big living room and yard which leaves plenty of room for the interns to find a quite spot to develop their relationship with God as well as provide the space needed for young people to come to the house and build relationships. Pastor Dan (director of Youth for Christ) and Becky Harris (director of Youth for Truth) will also be living at the intern house.
Who leads the intern program?
We have trained our staff in which are devoted entirely to running the intern program. They will participate with the interns in all of their assignments and programs. The leaders are experienced and trained in problem solving. They are completely committed to Christ and have a calling from the Lord to see young adults excel and develop in their relationship with Jesus. Pastor Dan and Becky Harris will also be participating to some level of leading in the internship program.
We have trained our staff in which are devoted entirely to running the intern program. They will participate with the interns in all of their assignments and programs. The leaders are experienced and trained in problem solving. They are completely committed to Christ and have a calling from the Lord to see young adults excel and develop in their relationship with Jesus. Pastor Dan and Becky Harris will also be participating to some level of leading in the internship program.
How much time commitment is it?
The internship begins at the end of August and continues through the end of May. This is similar to the college schedule. If an intern wants to pay for an overseas mission trip they may participate in one of our other mission trips as well. These are scheduled at different times throughout the year. The best way to think of the time commitment of the internship is to think of it as a mission trip 24/7. If someone were in another country they would not be able to participate in any of the normal activities in which they would if they were at home, such as family birthday parties, weddings, gathering of friends and ministry at your home church. Internship needs to be thought of as a total commitment for the term. Once a month the interns will have a week end off. If the intern lives close enough to travel back home to see family and friends that is permitted. If the intern lives too far from home, they have the option of staying at the intern home or staying with a local family. With all that being said, we will make special exceptions for an intern to go home in an emergency or serious situation.
The internship begins at the end of August and continues through the end of May. This is similar to the college schedule. If an intern wants to pay for an overseas mission trip they may participate in one of our other mission trips as well. These are scheduled at different times throughout the year. The best way to think of the time commitment of the internship is to think of it as a mission trip 24/7. If someone were in another country they would not be able to participate in any of the normal activities in which they would if they were at home, such as family birthday parties, weddings, gathering of friends and ministry at your home church. Internship needs to be thought of as a total commitment for the term. Once a month the interns will have a week end off. If the intern lives close enough to travel back home to see family and friends that is permitted. If the intern lives too far from home, they have the option of staying at the intern home or staying with a local family. With all that being said, we will make special exceptions for an intern to go home in an emergency or serious situation.
How much money does the internship cost and what is included?
Included - The internship includes housing, food and transportation as well as all of the educational programs such as classes, books and school supplies. We will provide basic toiletries but most interns prefer to supply their own personal toiletries.
Not included – The interns are responsible for their own personal hygiene products, special food because of diet restrictions, medical expenses as well as medications and special outing expenses (Starbucks or Jamba juice).
We offer several plans for the cost of the internship.
Traditional plan – $5,500 - This is the most economical plan. This is the price if the internship is completely paid for by The first of August (before the program begins). This price includes a one week mission trip to Creel, Mexico.
Work plan - $5,700 – We can provide a place of employment for the summer preceding the internship at Idyllwild Pines camp in Idyllwild Ca. The camp will hold onto all of your paychecks until the end of August. The average amount of money earned during a summer is approximately $2,500 - $3,000. The entire tuition still needs to be paid before the internship begins.
Payment plan - $6,000 – $3,000 must be paid before the internship begins. The other $3,000 can be pledged by supporters. A written pledge form must be completed ahead of time. Example: Mary Smith pledges $200 per month divided by 9 months = $1,800, John Black pledges $500 in December, Joe Poe pledges $50 per month divided by 9 months = $450, Ann Brown pledges $250 in October. That is $1,800+$500+$450+$250=$3,000.
As long as a person’s name is not on any checks donated, all funds donated are tax deductible. Checks should be written to Youth for Truth with a note included as to where the donation should be credited towards.
The Lord has commissioned His believers to make disciples of all the nations. Even the longest journeys begin with a single step, what better place to begin your journey than now? If you know a high school graduate between the ages of 17 and 26 that feels a strong calling from the Lord to break out and do something with eternal value, this may be their opportunity. Please pass this information on to them so they might have the opportunity to be a part of something that will benefit others and bring them close to Jesus. A time of intimate and passionate worship, hands-on ministry in evangelism, quality time spent in God’s word, and in fellowship building friendships that last a lifetime. There is no experience that can compare to what they will receive through this Internship!
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for me?” (Isaiah 6:8)
Click here to complete an application