Internships
Grow at Westwood
If you feel God has called you to apply, please fill out the application. The hiring process consists of two interviews that will take place at the Westwood Chanhassen Campus.
Now accepting applications for the 2023- 2024 program.
Areas of Development
PROFESSIONAL
Gain skills and experiences for vocational ministry.
Focus: teamwork, meetings, volunteers, events, budgets, career path
[1 Peter 4:10 | Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.]
PERSONAL
Mentorship to become transformational leader.
Focus: identity, strengths, personality, communication
[Romans 12:2 | Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.]
SPIRITUAL
Grow in your ability to be and love like Jesus.
Focus: fruits of the spirit, core practices
[Ephesians 5:1-2 | Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.]
Ministry Areas
Worship Intern
Our Worship team is part of the Worship Experience Department. We steward moments of Spirit-led creativity that inspire people to know God and share Jesus. Everything we do, from the stage to the the spreadsheets, is in service of that purpose. Our goal for this internship is to offer a full 360-degree view of a worship experience at a large church. As Worship Intern, you will work alongside our staff worship leaders to plan, coordinate, and facilitate the musical worship portion of our weekly gatherings (Sundays, students, worship nights, etc.). You will participate in rehearsals and have opportunities to serve in worship services in a capacity commensurate with your skills. You will also work alongside our production staff and learn about what goes into supporting a worship gathering from a technical perspective. If you are someone who leans into new experiences with curiosity and willingness to learn, then you will be a good fit for this opportunity. This intern reports to the Worship Experience Director.
Video Intern
Do you have a heart for ministry and love creative story telling? Do you want to grow in all areas of professional video production and learn how to work within a larger organization? As a member of the creative team, you will contribute significantly to all areas of the creative process from pre-production ideation, filming, editing, animation, studio management and everything in between. Being part of the internship program means that you will be poured into both professionally and spiritually and have the opportunity to hone the skills you will need to thrive wherever God calls you. The video intern will report to Kari Tverberg.
Here-Near-Far Intern
If you have a heart for equipping the local church to meet needs in our community, share the gospel and reach the nations with the love of Jesus, the Here-Near-Far internship is for you. The Here-Near-Far ministry exists to start, strengthen and scale churches for multiplication here, near and far. We work alongside volunteer teams, missionaries and ministry partners in our community, throughout the Twin Cities and around the world to develop leaders, disciple individuals, and multiply churches. With this internship, you have the option of applying for a 6-week internship program in Togo, Africa, during June and July (pending interviews with the field staff in Togo). With this internship, you will get to see the various expressions of outreach and missions work within a church setting as well in the field. This position reports to Heather Wilford.
Hospitality Intern
As human beings, we aren’t called to walk through life alone. We are to walk alongside our brothers and sisters, with a heart for hospitality. And what better way to do this than through coffee? The hospitality team is looking for a warm-hearted and passionate person, with an entrepreneurial spirit, to intern with our team. We work alongside volunteer teams to serve at funerals, special events, and most importantly, run our church’s café. If you’ve wanted to see how a small business works from the inside, come join us for a fun experience where we get to run a café: everything from picking specials, ordering inventory, making the schedules, to running the shifts. Join us as we get to be the church, living in the community, hearing and ministering with a servant’s heart — And all of this we get to do caffeinated. This intern will report to Sarah Baxter.
Formation Intern
In partnership with Kids, Students, Engagement, and Hospitality, we develop pathways and practices to help people be and love like Jesus. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to learn and influence how Westwood Community Church seeks to equip people to be formed by the way of Jesus. This intern reports to the Formation Pastor and will have a wide lens to multiple ministry areas within the church. If you are passionate about faith formation or curious about how the church lives out its call to make disciples, this role is for you. Come ready to learn and provide meaningful input into how Westwood can advance God’s kingdom; here, near, and far.
Middle School Intern
Do you love student ministry? Do you want to help set the foundation for faith in the next generation? An internship in middle school ministry is the right next step to achieve that. Through this internship, you will be equipped to know God and share Jesus with volunteers and middle school students. You will have opportunities to share the Gospel, equip volunteers, teach students the fundamentals of the Bible, and build relationships. This internship will report to Dan Johnson.
Operations Intern
Do you have a passion for ministry and how business and operations functions in a church help share the love of Jesus here, near, and far? If you have a heart to serve and grow but would like to work behind the scenes in a dynamic ministry setting, consider being an operations intern. As an intern in the operations teams at Westwood you will be exposed to Data & IT, Accounting, and Facilities & Security operations. You will learn about the vital role that these teams play in the effective delivery of ministry week in and week out here at Westwood Community Church. You will have the opportunity to collaborate and grow your skills in whichever area most matches your educational pursuits, skills, and interests. This position reports to Ashlee Lemons.
Kids Ministry Intern
Do you love kids? Join the team that provides kids from birth to 5th grade an amazing Sunday experience in addition to VBS and other special events. Kids ministry is an area where staff and volunteers serve and help kids to know and love Jesus. Interns who choose to be a part of Westwood Kids will learn every aspect of this ministry and more. So, come be a part of one of the most life-changing ministries in the church!
How do I apply?
The first step is to read through the information provided on this page and pray about the possibility of becoming an Intern at Westwood.
If you feel God has called you to apply, please fill out the application. The hiring process consists of two interviews that will take place at the Westwood Chanhassen Campus.
Now accepting applications for the 2023- 2024 program.
Don’t just take our word for it.
Hear from past interns and what they learned during their time as a Westwood Intern.
“I gained leadership skills, pastoral skills, a mentor, a new community, a career, and a Church home.” – Dan Johnson, Middle School Ministry Intern Graduate
“As an intern you will build and become an active member of a community, gain reputable work experience, become a stronger Christian, and get exposure to people who will be your cheerleader.” – Caleb Van Natta, Worship Intern Graduate
“This internship changed my life. And that’s not me being dramatic. My team poured so much into me – they helped me begin my journey into both professional videography and adulthood.” – Kari Tverberg, Video Intern Graduate
“I never expected to work in a church, yet this internship has provided me with so much passion for vocational ministry. You don’t have to be a future pastor to benefit from the leadership and development of this program.” – Emma Freebersyser, Kids Ministry Intern Graduate
FAQs
What is the purpose of the internship?
We develop young adults by growing them professionally, personally, and spiritually in order to send transformational leaders here, near, and far.
We want to encourage your spiritual development, personal development and professional development through:
- Personal attention // Be coached by a dedicated ministry leader who invests in your development, growth, and success.
- Future focus // Discover more about who you are and develop a vision and purpose for your life.
- A growth environment // Absorb the culture of Westwood and experience strong leadership, innovative perspectives, and holistic development.
- Real world experience // God has given you strengths and skills, and we want to give you the opportunity to use them to make a difference.
WHAT AREAS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP?
Video, Formation, Here-Near-Far, Kids, Middle School, Engagement, Operations, Hospitality
HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOULD APPLY?
Great reasons to apply for this internship:
- To gain hands-on ministry experience
- To serve the local church through the “behind the scenes” details
- To learn how to use your time and talents to glorify the Kingdom of God through the local church
- To learn and discover where God is calling you
It is not time to apply, if:
- You are seeking full-time employment at Westwood
- You expect full-time employment at Westwood at the end of this program
- You have not yet committed your life to God
WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF AN INTERNSHIP?
The program begins in September and ends the following August. You will be asked to commit to the full year long program.
HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK ARE EXPECTED?
20 hours/week including attendance on Sunday mornings. You will work out a specific schedule (days and time) with your supervisor.
ARE THERE AGE LIMITS?
Interns must be graduated from high school and preferably between 20-25 years of age.
ARE HOUSING OR TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED?
Interns must provide their own transportation. There is no intern housing.
CAN I PARTICIPATE REMOTELY?
In order to gain the maximum professional, personal, and spiritual growth from this program, you will want to plan to work in-person. Remote work opportunities will be decided on an individual basis.
WILL I RECEIVE PAYMENT OR BENEFITS?
You will receive hourly pay. You will also gain valuable education and experience over the course of the program.
WILL I GET A JOB AT WESTWOOD AFTER COMPLETING THE INTERNSHIP?
Our vision is to send transformational leaders here, near, and far. The internship does not guarantee you a position on staff. You are free to apply for openings at Westwood, but the program is designed to equip you for a range of opportunities that serve God’s Kingdom.
CAN I HAVE ANOTHER JOB OR ATTEND SCHOOL WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THE INTERNSHIP?
Yes! This program is excellent for undergrad/graduate students. You are welcome to have an additional job as long as your internship requirements are being met.
IS THIS INTERNSHIP FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE A PASTOR?
This is a great opportunity for individuals who are interested in vocational ministry. This is also a great program for those that want to develop as a Christ follower as they pursue a career outside of the local church.