I remember when I was in seminary as a young adult, I was trying to find my place in the community and figure out how God was calling me to serve in the church. I wondered multiple times whether my other friends were more qualified or blessed with more gifts and talents. I encountered people who guided me, prayed, and offered encouragement like Moses did to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:1-8. When I interned at San Antonio St. Paul UMC, the community mentored me. I found church members who showed me how to tie ties and dress in suits; others checked up on me over a meal and spent hours listening to me. Others gave me feedback when I did something beyond my comfort zone. I thank so many people who trusted God and were able to see what I did not see in myself. 

The Board of Ordained Ministry and the Young People Ministry of the Rio Texas Conference are trying to create a community that mentors and serves as a sounding board for college students who might be discerning—or wondering what a pastor or deacon does and how God is calling them to serve His kingdom. In the summer of 2021, four students from Huston Tillotson University spent ten weeks in local churches around the Austin-area. The program wanted to equip students to explore their call into ministry. Local churches and pastors hosted these students for ten weeks. Once the internship was over, they received positive feedback from students, pastors, and the congregation. Since that year, the program has expanded.

Last summer, we had students at Edinburg El Buen Pastor UMC and Austin Emanuel UMC. Pastor Robert—from El Buen Pastor UMC—shared it was not easy, but it was a learning opportunity for him and his intern. The congregation loved their college-aged intern, and the choir welcomed him with open arms once they learned he had a singing voice. The intern had the opportunity to preach as well.

Recently, I had the chance to preach at Austin Emanuel UMC. Once the service ended, a few families asked me if I knew their intern as the director of Young People’s ministry. They asked me to tell their former intern they were praying for him. The parishioners shared how much they learned from him. They told me a few good stories about him. They thanked God as they discovered he is attending seminary at Perkins School of Theology.

We will continue to improve this program and search for more students to build a community that mentors them in discerning their call. We have identified six churches and opened the 2025 registration process for students. Any college student who has finished their first year and is interested in exploring their call to ordained ministry will spend ten weeks in a local church to serve as associate pastor. They will receive a stipend of $5,000 for the ten weeks.

First and foremost, we ask for your prayers for students and others discerning their call. We invite you to mentor youth and young adults in your community.

Suppose you know of a student who is in college and has expressed interest in ordained ministry, please give them the application and invite them to apply. Registration ends on February 17. If you have a question or need an application, email us.

Written by Rev. Miguel Padilla