2 youths selected for
summer ministry internships

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
For the first time in five years, two summer youth interns are to serve alongside the Rev. Rusty Freeman, Southwest Texas Conference youth ministries director.
Five youths applied for the position this year, Freeman said.
Melendy Mathis, a member of Buda UMC in her first year at Trinity University in San Antonio, and Walt Lengle, a member of Northwest Hills UMC, Austin, and a senior at Anderson High School, stood above the rest, he said.
The two complement each other, Freeman said, and possess strengths that will benefit the conference youth department and the students who attend summer camps.
“They are just awesome,” Freeman said. “Walt is full of life. His depth and love for Christ are just amazing. He’ll be right up front with the junior high students when it’s time for worship, and when it’s time to respond in prayer or have an altar time, he will be the first one there to pray for them.
“Melendy is more quiet, more reserved, but she is just super faithful and loyal to the camps and the programming.
She’s super reliable.”
Interns help oversee youth events and mentor students who join the Servant Team, a new leadership group in the youth department this year.
Interns are to learn about behind-the-scenes programming, worship coordination, discipleship, spiritual leadership and how to mentor other students, Freeman said. They are to shadow Freeman during the June 6-9 annual conference session in Corpus Christi as well.
Both summer interns have been involved in conference youth activities and leadership for many years—which weighs in “a lot” in the selection process, Freeman said. They also both have felt a call to ministry.
“I am very interested in youth ministry and have been since high school,” said Mathis, who felt the call at a Quest camp. “My future plans in ministry are still unknown. I feel called in multiple areas, and I hope that this position will help me understand
my call to ministry.”
Lengle said he felt his call to ministry when he first became a Christian at the “wee age of 12.”
“It’s like God just slammed me with it: ‘Walt, this is the next step,’” he said. “And ever since then, I have just known that’s where I’m supposed to be. I was 100 percent sure God was pulling me into the ministry, whether I embraced it or not. So I just figured that I might as well embrace it. It’s what I love.
“The dynamic quality of ministry excites me. It really does. I love to lead, and I love to be able to work for the ministry. I would be at these functions and events either way, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to take it to the next level via this internship.”
In the past, Mathis has been a counselor at summer camps and Midwinter retreats. She said she applied for the position because she wanted to reach youths and “work behind the scenes to help develop an environment that will help youths grow in their faith.”
Mathis said she also works with TUVAC, a volunteer organization at Trinity University.
Lengle, who plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to major in human relations, said he applied for the position because of his passion for youth ministry. He plans to attend Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., after college and continue in youth ministry.
Lengle has filled several conference leadership positions, including working on the Council on Youth Ministries (which co-sponsors the intern positions along with the Board of Ordained Ministries). He has been a junior counselor at Midwinter retreats
and summer camps.
Lengle said he helped start the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at his high school and has filled a leadership position in the organization since it began. He has helped plan and lead events for his local church.
Both interns said their experience would help them be more successful in their summer assignments. The work should help them define their call to ministry.
“This position will give me insight into more aspects of youth ministry that I haven’t seen before,” Mathis said. “It will allow me to experience another side of youth ministry and the summer camps.”
Lengle said, “I’ve already tested the waters. This internship is just the chance to jump in head first. This internship will give me firsthand experience in the administrational aspects of youth ministry. I will be cultured into a more effective and dynamic leader.
“I hope it will teach me that difficult, but important, balance between (being) the fun leader and the organizational leader and the spiritual leader. I can see nothing but good coming from this opportunity and am infinitely grateful for the chance.”
To be considered for the youth intern position, students must have a:
> Committed and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
> Sense of a call to vocational ministry within The United Methodist Church.
> High school diploma and be pursuing a college or seminary education.
> Love for ministry to students and a desire to serve Christ.
> Letter of recommendation from a pastor, a lay leader and a friend.
> Brief statement of their faith journeys and of current ministry involvements.
> Background check approval letter and a Child Protection Training certification.
> Willingness to represent Christ, the church and oneself with integrity.