GOSHEN, Ind. — This summer, eight Goshen College students are exploring church ministry and gaining valuable experiences as they work with congregations across the United States through the college’s Ministry Inquiry Program (MIP).
Annika Miller, a junior elementary education major from Broadway, Va., is working at First Mennonite Church in Denver, Colo. Miller, daughter of Merrill and Cindy Miller, is a 2009 graduate of Southmoreland Senior High School, Scottdale, Pa. She attends Scottdale Mennonite Church.
The opportunities for MIP participants are vast. Students can be involved in such activities as worship planning, worship leading, teaching in Bible and Sunday schools, leading music, pastoral visiting, community service and preaching.
The Ministry Inquiry Program is a joint effort of Mennonite Church USA and the five Mennonite colleges in the United States. The 24-year-old program enables students from Mennonite colleges to test their calling and gifts for ministry by serving as pastoral interns for a three-month term.
At the end of the summer, each student will receive a scholarship of $2,000 toward tuition costs for the next academic year, along with a $500 stipend from the host congregation.
– By Anna T. Ruth
