Growing Through Intern Transitions
by Jeremiah Hamby, Minister of Youth and Missions
We are reminded in Scripture that there is a season for everything. We experience different seasons that come and go in our lives as well as in our communities. For those connected with schools, August is a turning point in the year. It’s when the season changes from summer break to back to school. This year, August is also a season of transition for our youth group as we welcome a new youth ministry intern.
As you may know, Jonathan Bowers has been serving as our youth ministry assistant for the past three years. Jonathan has offered his time and talents as he has supported our youth group by connecting with them, going on numerous trips, leading Bible studies, and providing some additional ministry support while I was on paternity leave. I am especially grateful for his presence during the transition between former youth minister Hannah and myself, providing consistent ministry during that season of change for our group. Jonathan may be stepping away from our youth ministry, but he will not be leaving Smoke Rise! You will still get to see him around because he has begun working with Mitzi and Jim as our next pastoral care intern, while pursuing is master’s degree at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. As Jonathan steps into his new role, we celebrate him and how well he has cared for our youth and pray God’s continued guidance in his life as he discerned his calling.
I am also excited to welcome our new youth ministry intern, Allie Ford! Allie brings a wealth of experience from her time on staff with Passport Kids, interning with CBF of Georgia, and serving as interim director of youth ministries at First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon, GA. This fall she will begin her master’s degree at Chandler School of Theology at Emory University. As you get to know her, you will immediately feel her kindness and care for each person that she meets and I am excited to have her learning and serving with us at SRBC as she seeks to learn more about youth ministry and grow in her calling!
For years, Smoke Rise has been a place where individuals who feel a calling to ministry have come to learn and serve. Our church community has supported and nurtured many individuals who once were interns here and now serve in various ministry roles from Atlanta to Japan and places in-between. I know how much that means for all of us that we are a space that can nurture and support others as they grow in their callings and I pray we will remain a nurturing and teaching church for years to come.