2024-2025 Interns

"There is great joy to be found in repetition if we can learn to be patient and full of delight in the present moment, for the path before us is long and, at times, hard, but it is overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love."

Yes, you read that right. Feet! I know what you're thinking: "Kali, have you lost it? What do feet have to do with your internship?" Great question, I'd love to tell you.

Over the past month, I’ve encountered references to feet everywhere—from the phrase "be where your feet are" to following in Jesus's footsteps and being his hands and feet. The references kept stacking up, leaving me to wonder: what's the deal with feet? My best guess? Feet provide stability, move us forward, and symbolize our journey.

This past month has been a whirlwind of experiences—a spiritual retreat, visits to other campuses, and preparations for Halloweekend and At The Movies. Despite the excitement, I struggled to pinpoint what I learned or which experience stood out. I’m not saying I haven’t learned anything; rather, nothing groundbreaking has really put its best foot forward.

After reflection, I realized my insight wasn’t revolutionary; it was simple: there is great joy in repetition. While it may sound unoriginal, it's about the journey, not just the destination. Even without wild experiences or earth-shattering revelations, joy can be found in the step-by-step process of life. As I moved through this month, these stages became clearer:

Curiosity -> Discovery -> Learning/Experiencing -> Questioning -> Growing -> Being Challenged -> Surrendering -> Being Strengthened -> Finding Meaning

If I were to draw a line between these stages, it would look like a toddler got a little too excited with a crayon—these last three months have been anything but linear. Yet, I’m learning to celebrate progress at every stage. The beauty of repetition lies in the necessity of relearning the same lessons; it’s a normal part of life.

Through this ongoing process, I’ve discovered that I’m not just repeating lessons; I'm also strengthening muscles I never knew existed—being present, focusing on what matters most, and learning to love the journey itself. Just like physical training, this strengthening requires effort; it stretches me and often feels uncomfortable. But sometimes, being broken down is necessary to be built back up stronger.

So, while I may not have anything big or shiny to report, I’m learning to find joy in the process. I’ve realized there isn’t a finish line or a single moment to declare that I’ve made it. Instead, it’s about faithfully putting one foot in front of the other and building my capacity for joy through struggles, embracing the unending pursuit of becoming better, one step at a time.

- Kali 

"You know you matter, right?" 
"Oh no, you drank the 'You Matter' Kool-Aid..."  
"Yes, I did! But I believe in the Kool-Aid!"

Whenever someone said 'You Matter,' I used to think, yeah, sure, you drank the Kool-Aid, and now you're just repeating the phrase because it sounds cool. But over the past month, those words have become real in ways they hadn’t before. I’ve seen God shift my heart and perspective from simply hearing the phrase to actually believing it—and living like it’s true.

September has been a busy month, so instead of giving you a 10-page recap, I’ll summarize it all in one sentence, here we go! This past month, I’ve learned how being present can change your perspective on your purpose.

Coming from a production background, I was used to having tangible results—something at the end of the weekend to prove that what I did mattered. But stepping into DreamTeam ministry, I kept waiting for something to 'click,' something tangible that would make everything make sense. Over time, I realized I wasn't in the ministry of tangible; I was in the ministry of presence.

Being present means being where your feet are, caring so much about the person in front of you, that you don't care about anything else. I began to see that what mattered most wasn’t anything tangible I could do; it was how I show up and loved others. It changed the way I saw people. 

This shift in perspective changed how I approached not only my internship but my everyday life. I learned that I didn’t need to have all the answers or produce something tangible—as long as I was aligned with the deeper purpose: to be fully present with the people I meet, love them, make them feel like they matter, and trust that God is working in every moment, even when I can’t always see it.

So yeah, I drank the Kool-Aid too. But it’s more than just a phrase now—it’s real stories, real people, and real lives being changed, including my own. If I truly believe in who God says He is, and if I’m aligned with what matters most, how could I not believe in the Kool-Aid? 

- Kali

Hello!

I cannot believe that the first month of the internship has already gone by! But I’ll probably say that every month, so I better get used to it now. From navigating new schedules and meetings to being a part of events like the Global Leadership Summit and our DreamTeam Launch, to spending weekends at our Perrysburg and West Toledo campuses, this past month has been an adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns, as well as some incredible experiences along the way.

Stepping into this new season of change, I won’t lie—there have been challenging moments, but there have also been amazing moments where I can only say, that was God.

One of these moments happened on my first weekend, which was Baptism Weekend at the Perrysburg campus. When I arrived on Saturday, there were no baptisms planned, so the team wouldn’t be there. Just in case someone did decide to be baptized, Cindy, the Perrysburg DreamTeam Director, said, “I have extra clothes; I can do it—or actually, you could.” Before I knew it, I said yes. I wasn’t sure if I was serious, but Cindy definitely was.

Next thing I know, I’m praying, thinking, "Well, if someone does show up, how cool would it be to get to be a part of that." At the same time, another part of me is thinking, "God, what if someone does show up? What did I just sign up for?"

And then, there I was in the tub with Ariella, whose facial expressions were just gold. It was a moment where I felt like God was saying, I have you exactly where you need to be right now, and all I needed to do was be willing to say yes to what he had for me. Even though it was uncomfortable and unknown, saying yes led to something I never could have imagined, and I am so grateful to have been a part of it.

On Sunday, I got to experience 18 other people taking their next step of baptism—12 of them spontaneously—each with a unique story God was writing.

In moments when it’s challenging and none of it makes sense, I’m learning to hold onto these moments and remember that I don’t need to know what my future holds because I know the one who holds my future. All I need to do is trust and be willing to say yes when God says, jump in, I’m all in.

Thank you all for being on this journey with me. I could not do this without you. I’m so grateful to have your support and to be able to share it all with you. Until next time, when I can’t believe another month has passed…

 - Kali