Ministry Inquiry Program

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Natallie Brown and Elizabeth Eby

Natallie Brown, left, is a youth ministry intern at Divine Unity Community Church this summer. Elizabeth Eby is interning at Ridgeway Mennonite Church.

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Abigail Shelly

This exploration brought a realistic curiosity and invaluable connections to my journey towards what my role in the church could look like. I am excited what the future may hold as I continue to build off of my experience from my summer.

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Anna Ressler

Experiences like [these] leave me with more questions than answers—in a good way. The more I learn, the more questions I collect, and the more I want to continue learning. And so I am growing to love questions more than answers and to spend more time asking and wondering than pretending to know it all.

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Liz Marin

I have known about ministry all my life; but for the first time things clicked. I finally learned what ministry was for ME and how I fit into all of this.

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Lydia Haggard

Three changes I can already name for myself are: living more fully into my identity as a child of God, learning how to surrender more, and praying with boldness and faith.

Thinking about ministry? MIP is for you!

The Ministry Inquiry Program is an exciting opportunity of the Mennonite Church USA for college-age young adults to explore pastoral ministry. The program offers you the opportunity to experience first hand what ministry is and to test your own gifts and sense of call. Participants work under the supervision of a pastor and are involved in many aspects of a minister’s life and work. Effort is made to place you in the congregation or congregational setting of your choice—urban, rural, large or small. For students of mission, an overseas assignment can be considered.

2019 participant experiences

Complete an application

The Ministry Inquiry Program also offers pastors and congregations a specific way to be involved in helping students experience leadership in the church. Pastors serve as mentors and examples. Students learn by both observing and doing. At the conclusion of the summer, all participants and the pastor or supervisor submit a report and evaluation of the program.

See a list of congregations that have recently welcomed EMU students.

Listen to MIP particpants from the summer of 2018 speak about their experiences.

How does the program work?

The Ministry Inquiry Program is designed to be a summer service-learning experience for college students. It calls for full-time involvement for 11 weeks. The student will receive a scholarship of up to $3,000 to be applied to college or seminary tuition during the next academic year. The money comes from the following sources:

$750 from the Mennonite Church USA
$750 from the home and host conferences
$750 from the home congregation of the student
$750 from EMU

In addition to the above, the congregation in which the student works provides $750 cash for living expenses. The congregation also provides lodging for the summer and any other benefits they may wish to provide.

The program is especially geared to students who will have completed two to three years of college. Seniors who plan to enter a Mennonite seminary may also be considered. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Arrangements can be made to earn academic credit for certain EMU programs that require ministry or mission practicums.

I’m interested. What do I do?

If you are an undergraduate student and would like to apply for the summer internship, please contact Professor Courtney Joyner as early as possible regarding questions and complete the online MIP application to ensure that the assignment and resources may be arranged.

Professor Courtney Joyner

Ministry Inquiry Program Director
Phone: 540-432-4255
Office: Seminary 229

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