Just Between Us

by Steve Tandy

May 18, 2008

INTERN UPDATE

     I believe one of the best new programs or ministries at Northside is our Ministry Intern Program. Here’s an update on our first three interns:
     Larry Crosby was our first. He and Holly and their three kids came to us from Sunset in May of 2006 and quickly became a part of the Northside family. They are now making a difference in Polson, Montana. Here is some news from Larry’s last email: “A couple of weeks ago I baptized a lady in her 50’s into Christ. Also, I spent over 2 hours in study with the fire chief earlier today. He wants to continue Bible study to find out what God wants for his life. Pray for John Fairchild and his reception of the truth. I also have an ongoing study with Kenneth Towne (a young 20 something), a Monday evening study with Joe and Joan Platko and a Thursday evening study with Heather Compton. Please pray for the work here in the Mission Valley. Great things are happening.” Larry also has been communicating with me about a “difference of opinion” matter that the church there has been working through. It is the kind of thing that can disrupt and divide the body and discourage a brand new minister. Larry has sought advice from me and his contacts at Sunset and, in my opinion, handled it just perfectly. The body is at peace now and good things are happening. At least in some small way, I believe the intern program played a part in that
positive outcome.
     Nick and Kim Perez came to us in May of 2007, and are a few weeks away from finishing their year as our second intern family. They also became an integral part of Northside. In fact, they are staying long enough to squeeze in a second Family Camp at the insistence of their peer group. Nick has accepted a position as Associate Minister at the West Olive congregation in Peoria, Arizona. He will be getting to preach frequently and working in the areas of Education, Evangelism, and Youth. I think it is a great match for his skills and a perfect way to start his full-time ministry.
     Our third intern has not been located… yet. This year’s graduating class at Sunset did not yield the right match for our program, so we expanded our search to Harding in Searcy, as well as the Harding Graduate School in Memphis. Both of those schools are very excited about building a relationship with us for their graduates. I have interviewed a student from each place; one was not a fit and the other is still considering the possibility. (He graduates in July.) Sunset also has some December graduates that we will take a look at, but right now it is a very real possibility that we will not have an intern this year. Evidently the Lord thought we needed a break. But, I know He is preparing just the right one to be our third intern – on His timetable.