What are the requirements for an internship? What about training?

General 
• Active involvement/membership in an evangelical church
• A clear testimony as a follower of Christ with an interest in global missions
• A love for and knowledge of the Bible as God’s Word
• A basic understanding of PCA beliefs
• Willingness to meet application, training, and support-raising deadlines
• Must be 18 years or older and a U.S. citizen for most internships

Language 
Most internship locations do not require language proficiency, with the exception of France, which requires at least two years of college-level French, and Latin America placements where some level of Spanish is required.

Vaccinations 
MTW recommends that all participants have routine immunizations prior to departing for the field. You should also check with a health professional and your ministry field to be aware of any recommended or required immunizations for the country in which you will be serving. Your vaccination status may impact your placement options.

Insurance 
All internship participants are required to have a traditional medical insurance policy which will cover them for the entirety of their internship. If the insurance policy does not cover overseas travel, interns will need to purchase a supplemental medical insurance policy for their dates of service.

Training and Debrief
All summer interns are expected to participate in training before leaving for the field, including cohort meetings and online training courses. And after your internship concludes, you are expected to participate in a debrief call with internship staff.

Further Helpful Preparation Suggestions
“9 Practical Ways to Prepare for Missions“

How do I apply for an internship with MTW?

Once you’ve found an internship that interests you, click on the “Get Started” button in the description to begin the process. If you’re interested in serving outside of summer, we also have other opportunities available year round for one up to 11 months.

Dates: Summer internship dates vary by ministry site. Most internships will run from June 1 – July 31. We have other options of varying lengths between May 1 and August 31.

Deadlines: Get started by filling out our pre-application form no later than January 20. After beginning, you will be guided through a series of additional application steps, with a final deadline to submit your completed application by January 31. This is a firm deadline to allow enough time to meet the support-raising deadline of May 1 for most summer internships.

Sites fill as application materials are received and interns are approved. Apply early for the most selection.

Where will I live and serve?

Where will I live?
Housing for summer interns may include sharing an apartment with other interns, living with missionary families, or occasionally living with national families. This is something determined by each team leader and varies according to each field.

Can I choose where I serve?
You can list a first and second choice placement on your application. We encourage interns to be open and prayerful about serving in a different location in the event their preferences aren’t available. If at all possible, we will try to place you in your first choice. Our approval process is on a first-come, first-served basis, so if there is a site where you really want to serve, be sure to apply early. During the interview process, your candidate specialist will share alternatives to your choices if they feel you might have a better experience in a different location.

Can I get internship credit at my school through this program?

In many cases yes. However, it is your responsibility to share with your MTW candidate specialist and team leader your need to meet certain criteria and to get this information in writing from your school. You will need to assume responsibility for driving this process of meeting all requirements in order to get school credit. If your school provides scholarship funds for the internship, it is your responsibility to make sure funds are transferred to MTW by May 1, if possible.

What about fundraising & expenses?

Will I be paid?
Interns in our summer program are not paid a salary. You will need to raise funds to cover your expenses and develop a ministry support team which includes prayer and financial supporters. Training will be provided.

How much will I need to raise to serve as an intern?
For our traditional summer internships (7-8 weeks), a total budget can range from $5,500 – $9,500, depending on the area of the world. Many factors such as the cost of airfare, housing, and exchange rates can impact a budget.

What on-field expenses are included in an internship budget?
Housing, food, local transportation, and general ministry expenses are included in your ministry budget. These costs are carefully determined by our missionary partners on each site. Once you are approved and invited to serve on your assigned ministry site, we will go over these details with you. Interns will need their own funds to cover personal expenses such as sightseeing or toiletries. 

When do I have to have the funds raised?
Interns are required to raise 100% of their support at least one month before they depart for the field. However, they should wait until they have completed the application process to begin raising these funds.

What if I don’t raise 100% of the funds?
If you are unable to raise 100% of the support in time for your departure date, we will either revisit your departure date, look at other site options, or prayerfully decide the best next steps.