Christian Encounter Ministries
(CEM) offers ministry training internships
for committed Christians age 21 and older
who love the Lord and are eager to serve
others (college is helpful but is not
required).
Internships are also available
for college students (juniors, seniors, or
graduates) especially with interests in
counseling, social work, youth
ministries, Christian education, or
rehabilitation programs. All
internships require a minimum commitment of
90 days with the potential term of up to two
years. Academic credits vary with each
college or university.
During your training
experience, CEM provides room, board, and
supervision. All CEM interns are eligible
for a grant to help cover other expenses.
CEM (established in 1970) is a
residential discipleship/counseling ministry
for broken and hurting young people (male &
female, between the ages of 16-25) who are
dealing with issues like grief, anger,
depression, abandonment and abuse. These
young people come to CEM voluntarily.
Residents stay one year is
average and receive Christian discipleship,
professional counseling, schooling if
necessary, fellowship, love, and plenty of
one-on-one attention. They adhere to a
disciplined schedule and learn how to
develop a good work ethic. As much as
possible, we relate to them as a loving,
supportive, “extended family.”
Ministering to these young
people is both rewarding and demanding. As
servant-leaders, interns model the Christian
life as they live and work alongside the
residents. A staff of committed Christian
professionals, who have had years of
residential ministry experience provide
oversight for interns. To prepare for their
duties, interns receive three days of
orientation, verbal
instruction, a notebook
containing written procedures and
guidelines, and direction from senior
interns.
Each intern becomes a
discipler for one to three residents and
teaches group Bible studies on a rotation
basis. Interns are hard working-supervisors
of the residents as they perform daily
assignments that may include practical
activities such as: cooking, cleaning,
gardening, and various other maintenance
tasks on our 82-acre ranch/campus. Each
intern oversees a dorm room with two or
three residents.
Residential ministry is
physically and emotionally demanding.
Residents experience rapid growth. Interns
also develop spiritual maturity and
endurance. Many teachable moments arise
during recreation and non-scheduled times
(e.g. boating, swimming, fishing, hiking,
ball games, "hanging out," etc.).
Under staff supervision
residents and interns participate in a
wilderness program in the high country of
the Sierras; either a two-week late summer
backpack and/or a 4-day winter snow trip.
Included are rock climbing, rappelling and a
ropes course. These experiences foster
teamwork and character development.
Every week interns have a
3-1/2-hour meeting with the staff. They
always have immediate access to staff
members and other interns in any crisis.
Each intern is assigned a spiritual mentor
who meets with him/her weekly.
Interns have one day off (14
hours), a four-hour office time, two 4-hour
personal breaks, and a planned
evening off (4 hours) with fellow
interns.
The residential setting allows
interns to experience the value of team
ministry, to see how difficult it is to
maintain good communication, and to realize
the absolute necessity of having quality
time with the Lord every day. Interns
receive professional counseling weekly for
90 days. If they want to continue, we do our
best to accommodate him/her.
Interns may contribute
articles to CEM’s newsletter, Expressions,
help lead in the Sunday morning worship
service, and teach classes or tutor
residents in CEM’s high school.
Interns see the results of
their ministry as they build relationships
and observe residents healing from emotional
and spiritual wounds. Even though not every
resident makes the progress we hope for,
many experience amazing and lasting
transformations.
Interns read a variety of
non-technical apologetic, inspirational and
Christian-living books. They may take the
Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, Taylor-Johnson
Temperament Analysis, and Religious
Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory. The
results are discussed with them privately.
They keep a daily journal that is helpful in
writing the 8- to 10-page evaluation of
their internship which is a required part of
their exit interview.
CEM’s internship program is
designed to complement the academic program
of colleges in equipping students for
ministry. Because it is a “hands - on”
must
be limited so interns will not have to
abandon their ministry duties to complete
academic work — a situation which can be
counter-productive and stressful for the
entire intern team.
Former interns have gone on to
serve as missionaries, teachers, counselors,
social workers, youth ministers and
pastors. They have found their internship
invaluable.
Please look over the
application packet. If you do not have an
application you may request one by phone or
on line. Feel free to contact us if you have
comments or questions regarding our
internship programs. All residential
internships may be started any day of the
year, depending on openings at the time.
Jim Parker and Mark Andrews
Ministers of Discipleship
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CHRISTIAN LEADER
This internship (short-term mission)
provides tremendous opportunities for
spiritual and emotional growth. Much
satisfaction comes from knowing God is using
you to significantly influence a young
person..
You will work with resident students (ages
16-25) who come to Christian Encounter Ranch
needing help to mature and experience the
blessings God has for them. You are not
simply observing ministry and gaining
theoretical insight, you are actively
involved in the lives of people--people who
need you.
You will develop ministry skills as you
disciple resident students and work with
them in everyday situations. The goal of CEM
is to see our resident students develop
spiritually, physically, mentally,
emotionally, and socially.
You may be assigned 1-3 resident students
whom you will disciple. The Bible study
curriculum is provided. You may be the first
Christian role model for some of our
students.
Along with other interns, you will be in
charge of various ranch activities involving
the resident students. These activities
include:
1. Study Hall supervision
2. Relaxed time coverage
3. Work program direction and supervision
4. Meal and dorm supervision
5. Recreation on/off property
Additional activities include meeting
individually with staff members; attending
the weekly intern discipleship and business
meeting; participating in staff- and
self-evaluations; participating in a
wilderness trip to develop relationships and
facilitate personal growth; and writing an
8-10-page evaluation of your experience. If
your internship is for college credit, you
may also have assignments from your college
.
The minimum time commitment for this
internship is 90 days, with room, board,
and supervision provided. Interns are also
eligible to receive an Intern Grant to help
with other expenses. An intern must be a committed Christian
and at least 21 years old.
To earn college credit, you must be a Junior
or Senior in good standing with your
college. The internship can be started at
any time.
**For more detailed information regarding
the internship program, refer to
A Brief Description of an Internship at
Christian Encounter Ministries.
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FAITH
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
As a non-denominational para-church
organization, it is the purpose of Christian
Encounter Ministries to cooperate with
churches, Christian colleges, and campus
ministries across denominational lines to
help people find a vital and productive
relationship with Jesus Christ, and to
assist in the development of Christian
leaders.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe...
... in God the Father, God the Son and God
the Holy Spirit;
... Jesus, the son of God, is the Christ; He
paid the penalty for our sins; He rose from
the dead and is coming again;
... the Holy Spirit regenerates and
transforms the Christian, which results in
the believer demonstrating the fruit of
maturity by loving and serving God and
others;
... the Bible is the only authoritative and
inspired Word of God, the infallible rule of
faith and conduct for all Christians;
... as members of the body of Christ all
Christians are to cooperate with one another
in order to accomplish God's work on earth.
STATEMENT OF UNITY
Christian Encounter Ministries promotes
unity in the body of Christ.
Therefore, we have two policies which all
staff, interns, trainees, and volunteers agree to honor:
(1) Since we work with churches and colleges
holding many different opinions concerning
the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit,
leaders at Christian Encounter Ministries,
regardless of personal convictions or
experiences, agree not to exercise the gift
of tongues, interpretation of tongues,
or prophecy, during group worship or
studies at CEM.
(2) Immersion is the only mode of baptism
used at CEM when a believer desires to be
baptized into Christ.
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FEATURES
While interns come as volunteers, there are
many benefits in addition to the valuable
practical experiences. Room and board are
provided free of charge, as are laundry
facilities and supplies. Intern Grants are
also available for the duration of your
internship.
Upon arrival you'll receive an orientation
notebook providing much valuable information
pertinent to your ministry with CEM. You
will be working alongside experienced
interns. This is supplemented with weekly
intern meetings dealing with a variety of
subjects. All interns have an opportunity to
take a battery of three personality tests:
Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis,
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Religious
Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory. The
Strong-Campbell Vocational Interest
Inventory is also available for those
seeking additional vocational direction.
Feedback is given by professionally trained
staff after each test. This portion of the
program has been immensely helpful to past
interns, giving them direction and insight
into personal and spiritual gifts and
abilities.
Spiritual needs are addressed. Worship
services are held on the property each
Sunday morning, and in addition to daily
devotional time, there is a mid-week Bible
Study all residents and interns attend. Each
intern is given a spiritual mentor to meet
with weekly. You will grow spiritually as
you help others to see the light of Jesus'
love.
Wilderness camping is part of our ministry.
You will participate in at least one summer
or winter wilderness backpack for your own
personal growth.
You will experience gratification as you see
struggling youth respond to your input into
their lives. You will use a multi-level
Bible curriculum to disciple 1-3 students.
Although we operate on a 24-hour/day
7-day/week schedule, you'll have one day off
per week for your complete leisure. Office
time is scheduled so you can prepare for
your discipleship sessions, lessons, etc.
Saturdays and Sundays are more relaxed with
possibilities for recreation, though student
supervision is still necessary. Friday
nights all interns are off property together
for team-building and relaxation. Interns
also have two additional 4-hour breaks each
week. Lake Tahoe is a convenient get-away
just 90 minutes from the ranch. Grass Valley
and Auburn (old gold-rush towns) are close
by; and the state capital, Sacramento, is
accessible with a short drive. The area
abounds with beauty and many recreational
options.
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PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The internship program provides an
opportunity, as part of a ministry team, to
develop personal ministry skills as you
serve others. As much as possible, it is to
be a seeing, practicing, and doing
experience. The long-range goal is to
develop effective, committed, and realistic
Christian leaders who will ultimately train
others. By preparing Christian leaders,
counselors, social workers, missionaries,
ministers, teachers, and administrators,
Christian Encounter Ministries serves the
larger body of Christ.
Ministry today is as demanding as it has
ever been. Society is creating new strains
of emotional turmoil faster than the helping
professions can identify and classify them.
This confronts the Christian community with
personal and vocational challenges of
monumental proportion. These challenges
range from intimidating to overwhelming.
Meeting the deep needs of resident students
demands more than theoretical awareness of
the problems. Staff and interns (short-term
missionaries) are presented with situations
which require creativity, a firm grounding
in the principles of scripture, and personal
resourcefulness in the Holy Spirit.
As you serve others, God ministers to you.
In loving others, you discover the depth and
strength of His love. As you encourage
others to grow, God matures you as His
child. Whether your future holds ministry to
a congregation, a Sunday School class, a
neighbor, or your own family, CEM's training
programs assist you in making the transition
from the theoretical to the practical with
personal growth in Christ as a natural
by-product.
**For more detailed information regarding
the internship program, refer to
A Brief Description of an Internship at
Christian Encounter Ministries.
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RESPONSIBILITY
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN MINISTRY
The heart of your commitment to minister at
the Ranch is your willingness to spend as
much time as possible with the young people
who come here for help. This is done in a
variety of ways: sleeping in a dorm room
with 1-3 students, working with them,
informal counseling times, teaching at
formal and informal settings, relaxing and
recreating with them. You are encouraged to
take initiative in as wide a variety of
relational, teachable and/or confrontational
"ministry moments" as possible, thereby
learning by doing.
The students (male and female) who come here
(ages 16-25) may suffer from low
self-esteem, depression, bitterness,
rebellion, lack of love, substance abuse,
physical or sexual abuse, emotional
disturbances, immorality, or a variety of
other emotional and spiritual problems. Each
one is seeking help because of a personal
and/or family crisis. We seek to introduce
every student to Christ and lead each one
into a consistent daily walk with the Lord.
Your spiritual maturity and commitment are
essential as you, along with other interns
and staff, model Christ daily in a wide
variety of settings and circumstances.
Because there has been relatively little
healthy parental involvement in the lives of
many of the students, they have a tremendous
need for security and consistency.
Therefore, the Ranch provides a structured
environment. One of your responsibilities
will involve enforcing the basic rules of
conduct and addressing inappropriate
behavior. You will be expected to do this
with firm kindness.
The ministry is located on an 82-acre ranch
and, as such, there is some physical labor
required of everyone. This gives you the
opportunity to model proper Christian
behavior and attitudes even in difficult
situations as you supervise and work
alongside residents.
You will be part of a community of believers
dedicated to Christian service and to
personal maturity in Christ. You will not
only sharpen your ministry skills, but will
also grow as a child of God through
interaction with students, other interns,
and staff.
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SAMPLE SCHEDULE
A weekly schedule might appear as follows.
The schedule will vary for each intern.
(This does not represent a fully detailed
daily schedule.)
|
* |
SUN |
MON |
TUES |
WED |
THURS |
FRI |
SAT |
|
Morn |
Church |
Break |
Office |
Day Off |
Intern Mtg. |
Work Program |
Group Mtg./
Chores |
|
aft |
Super-vision Duty |
Work Program |
Work Program |
Day Off |
Work Program/ Class |
Work Program |
Break |
|
eve |
Supervise Study Hall |
Super-vision Duty |
Family Mtg. |
Day Off |
Supervise Study Hall |
Intern
Team Off |
Super-vision Duty |
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Form: To Express
Interest
