Kim Beisel heard about Christian Encounter at a summer camp she was staffing and then again through her academic advisor at Hope International University before she committed to her first three months of internship. Three months turned into a year, but when it was time to head to New York for grad school, Kim had a conviction in her heart that she would return. Needless to say, Kim honored this conviction, returning with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in hand. 

​Shannon Kiley graduated from Sonoma State University in 2017 with a B.A. in Psychology. After spending a month at a safe house for girls in the Philippines through YWAM, Shannon saw the immense value of doing ministry in a residential type setting. When CER staff Charlie Cazin came to speak at a church she had just begun attending, she immediately recognized this was the opportunity she was looking for.

Zach Garret, 23, came to us after seeing our Facebook ad, where the opportunity to come alongside hurting youth struck a chord in him.

​A Sufeld, CT native, Zach’s heart for youth and background in caregiving make him an excellent addition to the intern team.

Cathy Gao, 22, left Beijing, China, after graduating high school in pursuit of a col- lege education abroad.

During her studies at University of New Brunswick in Canada, she began atending InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and eventually gave her life to Christ.

​Cathy is excited to take the next step in her faith serving at Christian Encounter.

Luke Brouwer, a Nevada City native, joined the intern team earlier this year.

​Luke’s family has been involved with CEM for the past several years, and Luke himself has ridden in four Agony Rides. However, it wasn’t until after his first Agony Ride that Luke began to pick up the CEM newsletter and grow more acquainted with the ministry.

Though Luke would continue to ride in the Agony Ride, the thought of internship had never crossed his mind until he received a personal invitation last December.

Since coming on board the intern team, Luke says, “I’ve really fallen in love with this job. Living here has a way of grabbing a hold of your heart...It’s like God hitting you with a 2x4 of love.”

​Olivia Crissman came to us from Winston-Salem, North Carolina this past December after just recently returning from studying overseas for a year with Capernwray Australia Bible School. During her time in Australia, Olivia studied Bible, Discipleship, and Mission while living in a small Christian community, which she likens to CEM. Coming out of this season of personal growth and discipleship, Olivia is eager to pour into the students at CEM.