Last Updated on July 23, 2021 by OCF Communications
Location: White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, PA)
More about the internship:
24 credit hours are awarded from Liberty University for successful completion of EXSEL.
EXSEL Discipleship Program participants experience distinctive opportunities for vocational and spiritual growth as they serve alongside their mentors—many of whom are seasoned military leaders and their families. Through group and one-on-one mentoring, EXSEL interns gain valuable life experience as they learn about themselves, the character of Jesus, and the challenges of a life surrendered to Christ.
If you’re between the ages of 18–24, you’re in an incredibly important time in your life. You’re making big decisions that will shape your future. You’re stepping out on your own.
For many, a year of focusing on personal growth without committing to any one direction in life is a great way to discover more about your gifts, talents, interests and God’s calling on your life. It gives you a little more time to make those big decisions that may impact your direction in life. As part of your preparation for wherever the Lord is calling you, a Focus Year can be a great time to be part of something bigger than yourself, to grow in your faith while serving in an important work of Christian ministry.
The EXSEL Discipleship Program will help you to do all these things – and more! In addition to the unique opportunity for experience-based discipleship at the White Sulphur Springs Camp and Conference Center, you’ll be gaining valuable vocational experience while working in areas like guest services and hospitality, horsemanship, programming and operations, youth programs, facilities and maintenance, housekeeping, or food service.
Primary Responsibilites:
EXSEL applies an integrated approach to discipleship by linking experience, service, and leadership in each of three developmental areas: spiritual growth, vocational training and academic opportunities. We employ time-honored spiritual disciplines, a challenging variety of vocational opportunities, mentoring by seasoned leaders, regular informal and formal assessment and feedback, and Christian community in a delightful 1,000+ acre Allegheny setting to generate meaningful developmental opportunities for our interns.
Invitation to Participate: Prospective Interns & Fellows
Jesus sometimes removed himself from the press of the crowds to commune with a few of His dearest followers or even to be alone with His Father for a time. Have you ever sensed the need for this kind of “refuge” from the demands of this world? Are you uncertain of the path God has for your life? As disciples of Jesus, we all require periods of reflection on His Word, as well as frequent opportunities to roll up our sleeves and devote ourselves in sacrificial service to others, as Jesus did. Such times help us better comprehend the person of Jesus and the purpose He has for us in this life. Consider taking a season to serve and thrive in the picturesque setting of White Sulphur Springs, with the hopeful expectation of discovering God’s direction through the guided Experience, Service and Leadership opportunities of the EXSEL Discipleship Program.
What does a typical week look like for interns & fellows?
White Sulphur Springs is a dynamic and busy place, with retreat groups and ministry happening virtually year round. We work hard to provide some consistency to the schedule for the interns to have as much predictability as possible, with the understanding that some weeks are “non-typical” due to the dynamic nature of the conference center ministry. September through May, a typical week looks like this:
| Monday | Day off (for personal time, reading, study and academic preparation) |
| Tuesday | For the Interns discipleship and/or apologetics classes are held in the morning, followed by a team lunch. Afternoons are reserved for reading and reflection, weekly or term writing assignments, counseling with the EXSEL Director or other ministry team members, and some time for constructive solitude. Two-to-three times a month, Interns and Fellows enjoy dinners either in the homes of WSS staff members or on their own. |
| Wednesday-Saturday | Vocational program, with each intern working alongside their ministry team mentors in their assigned departments. On Wednesday evenings, interns have dinner at the EXSEL Director’s house and Fellows at one of the ministry team homes. |
| Friday | In the morning, Fellows attend a Servant Leadership class facilitated by the one of the ministry team members. |
| Sunday | Half of the EXSEL team will attend a local church with the EXSEL Director in the morning and return to WSS in the afternoon to join the other half who will be working to serve the weekend retreat guests. This will alternate between weeks so that each intern will have an opportunity to participate in corporate worship with a local church body at least twice a month. |
June through August: The interns become part of the Senior Staff in support of the various adult and youth programs offered. Each will have one day off each week and will be working long hours and pretty consistently every other day of the week.
Get More Information: EXSEL Details – White Sulphur Springs
Point of Contact: Jim and Claudia Marrs
To apply or for more information: [email protected]
