The Reality
Across the globe, communities of Banyamulenge, a heavily persecuted and displaced people group from eastern Congo, are rebuilding their lives in diaspora hubs like Louisville. This stateside internship offers an immersive, office-based experience where you’ll work directly alongside local believers as they seek to retain their culture, empower their ministries, and access the Bible in their heart language. You’ll gain practical, hands-on exposure to ministries like Bible translation, literacy, trauma healing, and community outreach while exploring where your own gifts fit into long-term Kingdom work.
What You Might Actually Do
Full transparency: While we keep a structured office schedule (roughly 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday–Friday), cross-cultural engagement requires flexibility. Community events, outreach, and schedule shifts will happen, and managing your time well during off-hours is key to avoiding burnout.
- Translation & Literacy: Participate in exegetical checking 2–3 times a week (building toward leading a check by the summer’s end), join Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) with translators, and work side-by-side with local partners to author a Kinyamulenge literacy book.
- Holistic Ministry: Participate in trauma care workshops to learn the pathway toward becoming a specialist, and visit a local Farming God’s Way farm to observe agricultural ministry models.
- Community Engagement: Join local outreach 2–3 times a week, attend Banyamulenge church services, participate in cultural events (weddings, prayer meetings), and potentially stay with a Banyamulenge host family.
- Office & Project Support: Assist with office administration and tailor special projects to your specific skill set and interests to directly serve the ministry.
Who This Is For
- Required Mindset: Culturally humble, comfortable with self-directed downtime, eager to discover personal giftings, and willing to navigate the unique dynamics of diaspora ministry.
- Target Majors: Linguistics, Intercultural Studies, Missions, Education, Agriculture, Social Work, Communications, Bible, or Business (Minimum 2 years completed).
- Non-Negotiables: A desire to gain real-world exposure to holistic refugee ministry models, and discern long-term global or local ministry calls.