Interning with P2C didn’t just change my resumé

An internship unlike any other

Photocopies, coffee runs, menial labour, meaningless errands, dissatisfaction.

Doesn’t that sum up the majority of internships in North America today?

Well, that’s what I heard from others. But in reality, or should I say, at P2C-Students, my intern experience was absolutely fulfilling.

Meaningful work, major responsibilities

Because I major in business, when I decided to do an internship with P2C-Students I was assigned responsibilities in accounting, finance and marketing. I applied concepts I had learned just weeks earlier in the classroom to my job.

There were administrative jobs to do as well, but they weren’t the usual boring routine tasks typically thrown to interns. These tasks required streamlining processes and creating whole new procedures.

In team projects, interns like myself were always consulted and asked for our input. I felt useful and included by my colleagues.

I’ve indeed been blessed with this internship, surrounded by fellow Christians striving to bring the gospel to students and having a job that’s directly relatable to my studies.

This experience was enjoyable, one that I’ll never forget.

Challenged to consider the Great Commission

But most importantly, my experience at P2C didn’t just change my work life and resumé, it inspired me.

One of my roles was to edit and publish some blog posts, so I read a good amount of articles, choosing certain ones to promote for P2C PLUS. Most of these were either about the Great Commission or general topics that relate to students.

There were two Great Commission articles in particular that caught my attention.

The first article outlined how God, in His authority, commands us to spread the gospel.

The power in that statement reminded me that He isn’t expecting merely a half-hearted response but one full of energy and full of enthusiasm: not just when it is convenient but when we would rather do something easier. Ironically, many of us still act on convenience even though we know what is expected of us, which caused me to question why we act the way we do.

I wonder if it is because my heart is focused on this life that I don’t feel the urgency that others feel. Heaven and the rest of eternity seem like something far away both in time and space.

Addressing my own lack of passion

How do we address this lack of passion?

At a group level, action can be taken to place more emphasis on the Great Commission, but on an individual level when the problem lies in our heart, no amount of human persuasion can fix this lack of passion.

What we need is God, and that’s what the second article talks about.

Patrick detested Christian conferences and their hand-waving, side-hugging, Bible-toting Christians and yet, he still went to P2C PLUS. Why? Because God worked through a family friend to cover his whole cost, leaving him without any excuses.

Amazingly, he returned for a second year and that was when God changed his heart about both Christian conferences and the Great Commission.

You’ll have to read the blog post to find out what happened, but Patrick was changed by his experience at P2C PLUS. And while I am sure vision and training were helpful in creating opportunities for Patrick to be changed, it wasn’t the power of human persuasion that changed Patrick’s mindset; it was God.

God, open my eyes

P2C PLUS was an instrument, but ultimately, God is the one who opens our eyes. Through insistent prayer, we should ask God to open our eyes to see the lost sheep around us and love them as God loves them.

“What do you think?

If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14

An invaluable lesson for my heart

Through this internship, I’ve practised valuable things like accounting and marketing, but above all, I’ve learned an invaluable lesson. I’ve realized that my apathy toward the Great Commission is unacceptable and recognized steps that I need to take to lose this indifference towards evangelism.

I challenge you to do the same: question why you might not share your faith, dig deep to discover the beliefs that may be hindering you and others, and most of all, ask the One who has the grace and power to battle with you through the constant struggle to love those who do not yet love Jesus.

Considering an internship opportunity with Power to Change – Students?

Here’s how to get started:

1. Pray

Get down on your knees and ask God for His will for your life.

Are you ready to surrender your plans and ambitions and follow God wherever, whenever and whatever the cost?

2. Research

Start by gathering information about your options to intern. You can start here on our internship information page and FAQ. Research, ask questions, and talk to people who have interned with P2C.

3. Seek counsel

Approach trusted staff, other leaders and parents to ask for their perspective on this opportunity. What strengths do they see in you? What areas do they see needing development?

Ask for their insights and concerns. Use their input to continue your research and fuel your prayers.

4. Consider your calling

Here is a really helpful look at three points to consider before joining the P2C mission.

You may also find this article on making decisions helpful.

5. Apply

You don’t need to be doubt-free to start your application. God often uses the process to help clarify His calling.

Apply in a timely manner. It is best to apply for a summer internship before Christmas, and a fall internship before March of the same year. The application process can be extremely helpful in determining God’s call on your life.

6. Pray some more

Keep praying.

Are you willing for God to lead you into an internship? Is your heart surrendered?

Are you willing for God to move you in a direction other than interning with P2C?

Ask God to show you what direction your step of faith should be, and then be willing to take it.

Check out our Work for P2C page for more information.