Interns spend summer at East County church

EAST COUNTY — Rather than spending their summer break in their hometowns with their friends, two 21-year-old college students chose to spend it studying in Florida.

Bailey Brawner and Jonathon “J.E.” Allen are learning the tools of their future trades.

The students, who will obtain their bachelor’s degrees in December, have been interning at Harvest United Methodist since May and will spend 12 weeks learning the skillset needed to be children and youth ministers.

Brawner studies elementary education at the University of Montana Western. She hopes the experience as a Children’s Ministry intern will combine what she has learned in school with her faith.

“Being here is just more exposure to things I’m not familiar with, which is what I need,” Brawner said. “It’s a cool experience going somewhere else and seeing what my job would be like working for the church.”

The Alaska native has been working with children ages birth to fifth grade since she arrived at Harvest May 18. While sharing an office with Harvest’s children’s minister, Connie Campbell, Brawner has gathered learning materials and organized supplies for the church’s Vacation Bible School, which kicked off this week.

Allen, a student at the University of Georgia, will earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs, with a minor in religion.

Without a current full-time staff member working with youth in grades six through 12, Allen has been working closely with the church co-pastor, Steve Price, to organize weekly summer trips to local restaurants and attractions.

Allen and Price created Missions and Moe’s events on Mondays, during which youth meet with Allen at Moe’s Southwest Grill to spend time together and talk about life.

“It’s important to make those connections and to let them know that I was where they are now, trying to figure out religion,” Allen said.

Both Allen and Brawner plan to seek employment as youth ministers or pastors after they graduate — a requirement for the full-time internship.

“We hope that by being with us for the summer, it gives them practical experience in ministry,” Price said. “We’re participating in helping send out leaders into other communities.”

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected]