INTERNSHIPS

What do we mean by INTERN? 

• An intern with Indigenous Ministry Links is a person who has agreed to receive training and practical field experience in the area of indigenous ministry under the guidance of IML mission field trainers and their associated training partners.
•  An internship with IML will provide you with a professional learning experience that offers meaningful practical field experience related to your field of study or future ministry interests.

IML INTERNS ARE UNPAID

• IML internships are unpaid. You will not be expected to perform any work that would normally be paid work. The internship is a training program where you will learn and be exposed to the essentials of ministering to indigenous Australians. 

• IML adheres to the internship guidelines as outlined by the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman, Australian Government. 

For more information about this refer to work experience and internships. https://www.fairwork.gov.au/starting-employment/unpaid-work/work-experience-and-internships#internship 

Types of internships offered by IML…

IML internship’s primary focus is on the learning needs of the intern, therefore every internship will be tailored to meet the individual’s needs and of the agreed ministry context. We envision three main types of internship:

• “Ministry Team”  based: interns would be based with an established IML ministry for example The Meeting Place Church in Darwin Northern Territory, or IML home base in Mareeba Far North Queensland or placed with any of our partnered indigenous ministries. This would be a more traditional form of internship.

• Remote Indigenous Community Based: Interns may obtain part time employment to assist with funding their ministry internship or be self-funded. Interns would be placed in a remote indigenous community where we have senior indigenous leaders to support you. This type of internship would require an intern to be highly motivated and able to engage with people easily. You would also need to be prepared to be more independent than the “ministry team” based interns. 

• Home based: The intern may remain in their own home community but engage with a nominated indigenous community from their home base. This program style would allow the intern to remain more engaged in their own community and remain in their own current accommodation. This approach will require more extensive travel than the other approaches. This approach also allows for investigation of more varying opportunities prior to a long term residential or away from home internship.

The purpose of an internship is:

• To provide practical field experience in a real mission situation

• For a person to work in a supported cross-cultural environment under the supervision of an experienced Missionary in the area of indigenous ministry
• To provide an opportunity for people to use and develop personal skills in a cross-cultural setting, through a guided learning program
• To help people identify their role in cross cultural mission work

Length of Internship

• An internship is for a period of  3 months to 2 years. Each internship program will be individually tailored for the participants needs of the intern

• When the Internship is completed, an Intern may return to their home country or community or in another field of missionary service or continue working in Australia if an appropriate visa can be found

• If after successful completion of the internship program with they can consider applying to become a IML Mission Partner

Criteria for an Intern

• 18 years and above
• Recommended by local church or spiritual mentor
• Have submitted an IML internship application form.
• Have been interviewed by IML intern leadership team
• Have been able to demonstrate their calling to indigenous ministry or at least cross cultural missions in general
• Have the financial support required during the internship program

Commitment:

• Committed to the field for a predetermined period of Internship (3 months to 2 years)
• Willing to be mentored in cross cultural mission by an experienced missionary/ missionaries
• To be teachable
• Committed to the Intern learning program
• Desires to determine their call and future in cross cultural ministry
• Abide by our code of conduct
• Live the moral and ethical life befitting a minister of The Christian Gospel

Preparations

• Attend a pre field information session.

• Attend IML introduction to indigenous ministry. (4 hour zoom session with trainers)
• Complete Unfinished Story introduction to Mission awareness course. (8 hours facilitated course)

• Attend the Kairos cross cultural mission course, if possible, prior to internship or during the 12 month intern program.
• Have a proven ministry aptitude and attitude for indigenous ministry community
• Submitted to a  National Police Clearance in your home country and Australia and relevant State working with children clearances if your internship may involve children’s ministry.
• Has read IML child and vulnerable persons policies.
• Agrees to be bound by all IML policies and procedures.
• Agree to the IML statement of faith.

Skills/Abilities:

• Has ministry and /or practical experience in their home culture but desires to work cross culturally 

• Has skills and abilities that can be used in indigenous ministry.
• Able to clearly articulate their spiritual giftings.

Home Church:

• Has the support and recommendation from their local church leadership.

• IML will require a letter of support from your home church.

Finance:

• Financial capacity: Is prepared to raise the financial and prayer support needed for the length of the Internship.
•  IML will provide knowledge and skills in support raising. This will be an important part of the initial internship phase.

Cost of internship:

• Cost will be dependent on the program stream undertaken.
• Full training costs will be $2000 AUD year. This will include some in-house training materials, (exclude recommended and required textbooks for formal study) and all training by trains and mentors.
• Payment options can be discussed.
• Interns will also need to meet the costs of their accommodation, utilities, food, and other associated living costs.

Training

• Completion of monthly training modules provided by IML.
• Completion of the Unfinished Story Course by Simply Mobilising run by IML facilitators.

• Complete Kairos cross cultural missions course by Simply mobilizing if not completed prior to commencement of internship.

Optional training options:

• Diploma of ministry / Diploma of leadership / Diploma of business via Alphacrucis College.   These courses may entitle you receive Austudy financial support if you are an Australian resident.
• Christian Leaders Training College (TEE) distant education certificate or diploma of ministry. (Not accredited for Austudy)
• Vision College Certificate or Diploma of Ministries.
• Mission Interlink Mission Training Courses.
• World Outreach Nations Cross Cultural Mission Course. ( via Zoom and 4 weeks face to face Thailand)
• World Harvest Institute.

Responsibilities of the Intern

An Intern will commit to:

• Come to the mission field as a learner and to make it a priority to become a “growing participator” in the community
• Develop positive relationship within the:

1. Ministry team
2. Local church community
3. Local community

• Communicate regularly with the Intern Mentor relating to ministry
• Undertake ministry as outlined in the ministry plan and discuss changes with the Mentor when required
• Communicate regularly with their home church, and support team
• Completion of a learning journal

What to expect from IML Internship Mentor

• An experienced IML Mission Partner working in a field. 
• Have enough experience to guide the Intern through the cultural, ministry, social adjustments.
• Be in a mission situation that is conducive to training and developing new missionaries.
• Be available for the intern as required for the period of Internship.
• Have time to mentor the intern, meet regularly and have emotional and physical energy to lead and guide a new missionary. 
• Have a feedback/ debriefing progress meeting quarterly.
• Have both practical and theoretical training in cross cultural ministry.
• Be available face to face during orientation period or by negotiation.

Responsibilities of a IML Intern Mentor

Pre Field:

• Establishing an interim ministry plan for the Intern, in conjunction with the Intern before they leave their home country or community.
• Provide the Intern with financial information so that a realistic budget can be set.
• Assist in the organisation of suitable accommodation.
• Provide cultural information that will help the Intern prepare to move to the new culture.
•  Provide information on appropriate clothing for the climate and culture.
• Advice on miscellaneous prefixed preparation requirements.
• Basic cultural orientation regarding culture, language, and local religion.
• Arranging for basic language study with a helper, where appropriate.

On Field:

• Meeting with the Intern on a regular basis or ensuring that a senior leader meets with the Intern. Meetings should be weekly in the first months but may decrease over time. This can be done by face to face, Zoom and phone.
• Continuing development of the program of ministry for the Intern taking into consideration the skills of the Intern. This would be done in conjunction with the Intern.
• Giving ongoing guidance, support, debriefing and coaching to the Intern throughout their cross-cultural journey.
• Mentoring and training the Intern so that their skills are maximized.
• Helping with daily life issues the Intern faces.
• Debriefing the Intern before their return to the home country or community.

Where to now?

• Now that you have read the above fact sheet, have spent time in prayer and have discussed the internship possibilities with your Pastor or Spiritual mentor it is now time for the second step.

   

  Please contact Carl Musch 0427354055 email carl@imla.org.au or Nigel Davies 0448565221 or email nigel@imla.org.au or imla @imla for further information. 

The next step of your rewarding mission life is only a short journey away.