Intern Program 2010
Great Falls Church of Christ Intern Training Program


Update

Grant Johnson from Edmonton, Alberta Canada has been selected to serve in the Great Falls intern program.  While working with the church in Great Falls he will be pursuing his master's degree through Harding University.  Lord willing, Grant and his family will arrive in Great Falls in July and serve for two years before returning to Canada.

Purpose

Prepare reliable Christian men for the works of service in the kingdom of God. (2 Tim. 2:2)


Plan

Provide a two-year internship that will partner the practical side of ministry in a local congregation with the biblical and ministry training of one of the schools within our fellowship.


Intern Candidates

Must be a reliable and faithful single or married man who will be qualified to teach others. The intern must be a Christian who has a desire to serve the Lord. This service may be as an evangelist, missionary, or some other role within the kingdom of God.  This service will  preferably be in the north, in a military ministry, or as a missionary. The candidate will need to be eligible to pursue a graduate degree through Harding University Graduate School of Religion, Harding University, or some other school within our brotherhood that allows for distance learning. 

The Great Falls Church of Christ

Established in Great Falls on May 9, 1948 in a room at the YMCA with 5 members in attendance the congregation has seen steady growth through the years. Our attendance averages just over 250 today. The church is served by five elders, thirteen deacons, and two evangelists, along with many whom diligently minister in various areas.

Just over 30% of the families identified with this body are associated with the United States military. Most of these families have one or both spouses serving at Malmstrom Air Force Base or the Montana Air National Guard.  It is this military emphasis that has allowed us to prepare men who have served the church in Turkey, Japan, Italy, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, and much of the United States.

The church has a number of small group ministries including, weekly evangelist home studies, bi-monthly LIFE Groups, ladies’ prayer groups, a weekly ladies’ study, weekly teen meetings, along with the more common meeting times of Sunday and Wednesday evening.

The youth group (middle school and high school) is an active focus of the congregation. Besides the regularly scheduled youth activities, we host a yearly youth rally which draws students from across Montana along with teens from Idaho, Washington, and Alberta.

Great Falls Information

Great Falls is situated in central Montana between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. The Missouri River with its series of waterfalls and 5 dams split the city primarily north and south. We have a population of approximately 60,000 including Malmstrom Air Force Base. Agriculture, livestock, medicine and defense form the backbone of the industrial base. Malmstrom Air Force Base is located at the east end of Great Falls and has a population of 3,000.

Great Falls has the largest hospital in the state of Montana and a substantial medical community to support the hospital. Great Falls is known for a high quality of education with high standards. It has 15 elementary, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools in the public system. There are numerous religious elementary schools and the University of Great Falls, a Catholic university. It is the home of the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, and Montana State University College of Technology.

Numerous transportation options are available to Great Falls including air travel. There are many recreational activities from hunting and fishing, to boating and golfing. Snow skiers have multiple options, and the area has a number of museums and historical sites. Two of these are the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and the Charlie Russell Museum. More information about Great Falls can be obtained at www.greatfallschamber.org and www.malmstrom.af.mil.


Areas of Ministry Training

God

Ministry is first and foremost the privilege and responsibility of being a servant of God. We will help you develop the foundations for a great relationship with God that will assist your walk with the Lord throughout this sojourn on earth.

Evangelism

Jesus came to seek and save the lost. As Christians we are to share the good news of Jesus with others. We will assist in training you for evangelism by providing mentoring and outreach experience.

Equipping

One work of an evangelist is "to prepare God's people for works of service." Another focus of your training will involve equipping Christians through personal relationships, small groups, and teaching opportunities.

Education

Our partnership with Harding University Graduate School of Religion has been and continues to be critical to this internship. Ministry requires preparation to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. You will be expected to take at least one course each semester during the internship.  The school is negotiable, but the school must give the freedom to take courses from a distance.

Personal Life and Time

The balance between ministry and one's personal needs is often a challenge for even the most experienced preachers. We will help you develop some principles for that balance in a safe and healthy church environment. Ministry is not a 9 to 5 job; it is a calling and will require more than a traditional 40-hour workweek. We will help you understand some of the blessings, responsibilities, and demands that come from ministry.

Ministry Experiences

Mentoring/Discipleship

You will be mentored as a servant through your relationships with both Scott Laird and Chris Crooks. Other members of the body will develop close relationships that will influence both ministry and personal life.

Small Groups

You will participate and eventually lead evangelistic, discipling/mentoring, and fellowship groups.

Military Ministry

A period in the two year ministry will focus on Malmstrom Air Force Base. This will include outreach and ministry to military personnel and their families.

Youth/Teen

Some of your time will involve a focus on the ministry with teens.

Group Leadership

Training will involve participation in numerous meetings. Some of these will include meetings with; elders/evangelists, elders/deacons/evangelists, L.I.F.E. Group Leaders, congregational meetings, and time with the evangelists. A goal for this involvement is to develop the ability to read what is going on in a group and exert influence for good.

Preaching/Teaching

There will be opportunities to preach and teach as your skills warrant.

Bible Camp/Youth Rallies/Lectureships/Seminars

The church in Great Falls has a lot of involvement in Yellowstone Bible Camp. There will be an opportunity to serve at one or more of the camps. There will likely be opportunities to serve at other state functions.

Financial Support

Our existing financial resources are committed to the support of two evangelists, one elder, a mission work, and the expansion of our existing facility. We are raising $28,000 yearly for the internship. That support includes $6,000 projected education expenses and $22,000 for living expenses including housing, food, clothing, transportation, insurance, debts, and miscellaneous expenses. This will not provide for luxuries, but should provide for an adequate standard of living for someone who is single and without much debt.
Your Role

If you are interested in applying to participate in this intern program or you want to help with your prayers or financial resources please contact us at (406) 453-3379 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   May the Lord bless you and your work.

In Christ's love,

Scott Laird