Through the Eyes of a Youth Intern
WRITTEN BY helen macdonald
Graduating in Television Production from the University of Portsmouth last year, I had never expected, nor particularly desired, to do an internship at a church. I had a clear goal of entering the TV industry and truly believed that was the plan God had for me. Until, quite suddenly, KCC became all I could think about—which was particularly strange considering I hadn't visited throughout my three years away from home!
I distinctly remember a conversation with the Lord on a train. After asking multiple times, "God, what is this?" and "God, what's next?", I suddenly picked up my phone in a rush of adrenaline and messaged Ettie Robins to ask about the internships our church offered. After several meetings and confirmations, I officially started serving with both the Youth and Communications teams.
Now, as my internship draws to a close, I cannot thank God enough for His direction. I often think about Isaiah 55:8–9: "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" I may have laid down my TV dreams for now, but it is now abundantly clear that God is kind and knows far better than I do what is best for us. Looking back over this past year, all I can see is God's hand at work.
I have experienced firsthand how unbelievably special our youth work is in so many ways. The young people in our church all have inspiring callings over their lives. Some are confident, some are shy, but every one of them is a leader in their own way—in their friendship groups, their families, their schools, and their workplaces. They are quick to laugh, quick to choose joy, and my favourite thing about our youth group is that it feels like the best family to be part of.
Whilst my greatest joy has been getting to know everyone on a deeper level, some of my biggest highlights have been our Staycation, the Midnight Gameshow, and our evening at Itchen Valley for pudding and games. That evening was particularly memorable because of the completely unplanned thunderstorms that our young people embraced head-on, standing in an open field, utterly drenched but with huge smiles on their faces.
Staycation was a brilliant opportunity for our young people to go deeper with God through worship and bible studies, where we saw many respond. The Midnight Gameshow was, I would argue, the most... unique thing we did. We surprised Andy at home (with Janet's help), along with Matt McGarry's, and filmed an entire gameshow in the comfort of their homes. But honestly, that's a great summary of youth work: completely unpredictable, full of laughter, yet all driven by one huge goal—to connect with our young people in a genuine and engaging way, helping them feel seen and loved exactly where they are. We have the privilege of walking alongside them as they learn to walk with Jesus, praying that His Kingdom would come and His will would be done in their lives. Serving on Youth means seeing that happen up close and, even more rewarding, getting to play a small part in that journey during some of the most formative years of their lives.
Serving on Youth also means having your own faith strengthened as you watch theirs grow. I have genuinely never felt so loved. Every week, the Year 7 girls make a point of screaming my name as I walk through the doors, and nowhere has God's immense love for His children felt more tangible to me than when I look at them.
Ultimately, as a Youth intern, I feel richer than I ever have before. Rich in the kindness of God, in the wonder of His higher plans for my life, and rich in relationship and community. Investing in the younger generation has become the highlight of every single week, and I know it always will be.
I distinctly remember a conversation with the Lord on a train. After asking multiple times, "God, what is this?" and "God, what's next?", I suddenly picked up my phone in a rush of adrenaline and messaged Ettie Robins to ask about the internships our church offered. After several meetings and confirmations, I officially started serving with both the Youth and Communications teams.
Now, as my internship draws to a close, I cannot thank God enough for His direction. I often think about Isaiah 55:8–9: "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" I may have laid down my TV dreams for now, but it is now abundantly clear that God is kind and knows far better than I do what is best for us. Looking back over this past year, all I can see is God's hand at work.
I have experienced firsthand how unbelievably special our youth work is in so many ways. The young people in our church all have inspiring callings over their lives. Some are confident, some are shy, but every one of them is a leader in their own way—in their friendship groups, their families, their schools, and their workplaces. They are quick to laugh, quick to choose joy, and my favourite thing about our youth group is that it feels like the best family to be part of.
Whilst my greatest joy has been getting to know everyone on a deeper level, some of my biggest highlights have been our Staycation, the Midnight Gameshow, and our evening at Itchen Valley for pudding and games. That evening was particularly memorable because of the completely unplanned thunderstorms that our young people embraced head-on, standing in an open field, utterly drenched but with huge smiles on their faces.
Staycation was a brilliant opportunity for our young people to go deeper with God through worship and bible studies, where we saw many respond. The Midnight Gameshow was, I would argue, the most... unique thing we did. We surprised Andy at home (with Janet's help), along with Matt McGarry's, and filmed an entire gameshow in the comfort of their homes. But honestly, that's a great summary of youth work: completely unpredictable, full of laughter, yet all driven by one huge goal—to connect with our young people in a genuine and engaging way, helping them feel seen and loved exactly where they are. We have the privilege of walking alongside them as they learn to walk with Jesus, praying that His Kingdom would come and His will would be done in their lives. Serving on Youth means seeing that happen up close and, even more rewarding, getting to play a small part in that journey during some of the most formative years of their lives.
Serving on Youth also means having your own faith strengthened as you watch theirs grow. I have genuinely never felt so loved. Every week, the Year 7 girls make a point of screaming my name as I walk through the doors, and nowhere has God's immense love for His children felt more tangible to me than when I look at them.
Ultimately, as a Youth intern, I feel richer than I ever have before. Rich in the kindness of God, in the wonder of His higher plans for my life, and rich in relationship and community. Investing in the younger generation has become the highlight of every single week, and I know it always will be.