Summer Intern

          I hope that everyone will have an opportunity to meet Cameron and Julie Holman over the next several weeks and welcome them to our congregation. Cameron is our summer intern and will be with us for 10 weeks this summer. He is currently a student at Liberty University studying for a ministry degree with a projected graduation date of May 2026. He currently attends the Dillsburg BIC church where Julie’s father is the pastor. He is considering the pastoral ministry with an emphasis on youth ministry.  Cameron was inspired to consider the ministry as an occupation by his own father who was a pastor but now has left the ministry.

          Why would the Church Board create a new limited part-time paid position for a summer intern?  What are the benefits for West Side?

          First, it creates an opportunity to participate in the development and encouragement of a young person who is considering entering the ministry. Ministers are in short supply as there are many more positions available than ministers to supply them. Also, most ministers today are second career ministers. This means they have retired from a primary profession, then decide to enter the Christian ministry. Very few young people choose this as a primary career. Cameron is already interested in ministry as a career and desires to gain practical experience in pastoring through an established congregation and a senior mentor.

          Secondly, as West Side looks to the future and is searching for an Associate Pastor who hopefully will someday be capable of leading our congregation, we can gain experience in teaching, molding and encouraging an individual in a mentorship type role.

          Thirdly, if Cameron has a solid and pleasant learning experience, he will become an ambassador for West Side among his colleagues and associates who may be ready for an Associate Pastor experience to direct them to West Side. It will help us to develop a network of individuals who are familiar with us through him promoting our program.

          For Cameron, we have an extensive list of opportunities to develop his experience in achieving his goals. He is already involved in assisting and planning our Sunday service, will gradually be assigned participation in the service, prepare and teach Sunday School classes, youth classes and Kids Klub.

          He has already assisted in hospital and home visits as well as individual counselling sessions. As he is a recent member of the BIC, he has had personal instruction in BIC theology and doctrine. He has assisted and instructed by Paula in administrative tasks, has attended and will continue to attend Board meetings and committee meetings to understand the administration of the church.

          I have found Cameron to be an eager student and easy to teach. I hope that as he participates more in the life of the church you will encourage him at every juncture. Remember he is a novice. He will not be perfect or perform as a mature and seasoned pastor. He is in training.

          I am encouraging the congregation to welcome him, encourage him and pray for him as he gains valuable experience here to prepare him to serve the Lord in pastoral ministry.

Serving the Lord with gladness,

Pastor Dave