Why an internship Program?

• Over the last number of years, Pioneers of Australia has experienced a period of rather dramatic growth. As with most growing organisations, the rapid numeric expansion must be met by a corresponding expansion in infrastructure. Increasingly, we have become conscious of the need to better equip people at the front end of their ministry experience, requiring a re-think of the best way to train potential workers.

•  Whilst we speak enthusiastically of a global village, greater ease of travel and more sophisticated forms of technology with which to increase our communication capacity – the practical realities of this are at the present time creating a greater level of stress on many cross-cultural workers, for many of these “advances” carry with them increased expectations. Teams are far more likely to be international in flavour, people groups span geo-political boundaries, world views are in transition, security issues cause isolation, and so on. As such, we are finding that good people are floundering and frequently expressing a desire for better preparation.

• As a ministry, we sense that we have a particular appeal to young, innovative and thoughtful people who are seriously considering long-term cross-cultural ministry contexts. Though their backgrounds are as varied as the individuals themselves, they frequently share a desire to “experience” Pioneers prior to committing themselves long-term. We understand this, and seek a better way to facilitate such an experience.

• Every person sent into a cross-cultural ministry context represents a relationship with a sending body – their local church. Often we hear from churches a desire for a closer partnership and greater “lead-in” time for getting to know one another. We believe an internship could assist this.

• An intern will normally be someone seriously considering overseas cross-cultural work. Frequently, a person’s initial steps of faith towards this goal represent a challenge or wake-up call to others. Shunning the status quo, the path to crosscultural service is often seen as “gutsy” or radical. Overseas cross-cultural workers often reflect that they were inspired by someone else’s willingness to go.

As such, an intern can have a powerful ministry of mobilising others. The words, “come with me”, can be used strategically by God in prompting others.

Read the attached info sheet for more details!