Training for service: Internship program helps kids plug in

By Brenna Wiegand

With all the programs Silver Creek Fellowship offers, starting a new one might seem risky, but the opposite proved true.

It’s summer intern program proved so successful it promises to be the start of other new opportunities for service.

Youth Pastor Kurt Barnes heads the endeavor, geared to help young people discover themselves, their gifts – and their calling.

The summer interns were a diverse group of 10 high school age students. Some like working with kids; others want to make music or are into technology and some aren’t sure what they want to do. Summer days included Bible study and other personal growth activities, they performed heavy duty community service and, of course, took time out to play.

“Kids who wouldn’t normally spend time together have come together as a team in the way they relate to and work with each other,” Kurt said.

The team proved invaluable in pulling off the church’s big event of the year. Silver Creek hosted “Celebration Northwest,” July 11-13,  a camping weekend for families from eight churches belonging to the Newfrontiers USA church movement.

“The campus becomes a giant campground; we’ve got about 30 host homes out in the community and they book up the hotels downtown and Oregon Garden Resort,” Kurt said. “People really enjoy the family atmosphere: camping together, eating together, being all in the same place, doing fun activities, having the creek and we’re able to keep the cost really low.”

The teens helped set up, run and clean-up after the event.

“We worked hard cleaning-up – power washing the building, washing church vehicles, moving and cleaning all the tables and chairs…” Hannah McNutt, 16, said. Despite such toil, nobody complained.

“Even if it’s hard work, we make it fun,” Katie Jones, 16, said.

“I am totally glad I signed up for this,” John Clemmons, 18, said. He said weekends can get pretty boring.

“Just doing this Monday through Thursday from 9 to 4 keeps me involved and keeps me busy,” he said.

“I came because I want to get a good grip on the church, learn to serve – and just serve,” Katie said. “It’s encouraging in my relationship with Christ and a good way of getting closer with everyone as well as the church.”

“These kids came in with so much expectation and such a strong work ethic,” Kurt said. “We’ve already gone further than we’d planned for the whole summer in the first half. I’m really excited about the different things we’re going to be able to do.”

The youth pastor gets up early to open Gear-Up Espresso; which he and his wife Summer own and operate.

Days tend to run long with a high school crowd. But he’s fired up to develop and grow the program, probably to include kids from other areas.

“I don’t think the intern program could go away now,” he said. “They’ve just been such a blessing to the church and to me personally.

“When we designed this internship, one of the things I wanted so much is that these students would find out who they are and what their gifts are and what their calling is,” Kurt said. They’re also mentored by church members who often share the young person’s interests.

“We want them to see themselves as participants in the church instead of just consumers; it’s a lifetime thing,” Kurt said. “If you come here on a Sunday morning, you see kids serving in all kinds of ways; it’s not a ‘when they grow up’ mentality; we see our kids as a huge gift from God.” The interns know this now and can see the many opportunities their church offers to continue this path of discovery.”

A major part of Silver Creek’s outreach is “Mission of Hope,” headed by Steve Tipton. With Marion-Polk Food Share, each month, church members distribute more than 500 meals and 140-160 food boxes to those in need. Some 100 church members make it happen, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. the third Saturday of the month at Robert Frost Elementary School. Even more take Mission of Hope to the church’s Keizer campus the last Saturday of the month.

Lead Pastor Rob Barnes said many who came for food boxes ended up helping with the program.

“It’s surprising; a lot of people think of Silverton as a little bit like Mayberry, but people are pretty private,” he said. “Many people who’ve been struggling in life feel pretty beat down and defeated already. They don’t know where to go and what to do – and they want to do something with their life that makes a difference. Here, I think they can find a place of grace and acceptance.”

A couple times a year, Silver Creek members forego the usual church service for “The Church Has Left the Building,” a day of community service.

Last May, about 100 volunteers performed landscape maintenance at Robert Frost School while another 80 worked at the Silverton Senior Center.

“Our view of church is we’re called to be a blessing and so if we do everything just in our building it’s pretty much aimed at ourselves,” Rob said.

He said the free programs they offer are open to anyone. They include Dave Ramsay’s Financial Peace course, attended by hundreds last year; “Life Care,” for people with relational problems; “Redemption,” for those who’ve struggled with addictions and a support group for single moms.

If your church has a program, event or a story to share, send an email to [email protected]