We are accepting applications for our ELP program, both for summer 2024 and for the 2024-25 school year. We are looking for 2-4 summer interns and/or residents: 1 in youth ministry, 1 in logistics/technology and 3-5 interns and /or residents for the school year. We work with you to find internships that meet your interests in ministry. We are looking for May through August, but can be flexible to start later or end earlier depending on your schedule.

We view young adult age individuals as a vital part of our community and we desire that they have opportunities to know and experience the deep love of God, the living Christ, and community that demonstrates respect and honor for all.

Wayside Friends Church is home to leaders who are called and passionate about loving God and loving their neighbors. These leaders, along with the Wayside congregation, experience a symbiotic goodness that comes from being a community that welcomes, affirms, calls, and equips all who seek to follow Jesus faithfully.

The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) has two parts: ELP Interns and ELP Residents. ELP provides ministry interns and residents with a wholistic experience involving mind, body, and heart. Leadership training, mentorship, and spiritual formation are paired with each ministry opportunity. Intentional care and support is provided by a ministry team committed to team building and collaborative community. The hallmark of the Emerging Leaders Program is in providing pathways into ministry for leaders who have had doors of opportunity closed to them for a variety of reasons, developing them for the contributions God has created them to offer the local and global church. We see a path from raising up children (including Camp Wayside), through youth ministry, to ELP Interns, to ELP Residents, to Wayside coordinators and Wayside pastors, as well as sending leaders out into ministry elsewhere.

ELP RESIDENTS

Residents are hired to serve from September 1 through June 30, with the amount of hours per week or month varying depending upon the ministry position within WFC. Ministry supervisors (usually one of the pastors or coordinators) support and direct the ministry side of the resident experience. Elizabeth Sherwood (co-lead pastor) and Gregg Koskela (young adult coordinator) support and direct the mentorship, training, and spiritual development side of the resident experience, tailoring it specifically to the future goals of the ELP Resident. 

ELP Residents can be college age or older folks who already have had ministry experience and are considering the possibility of future paid vocational ministry. Preference will be given to those who have gone through the ELP Intern program.

ELP Interns are hired to serve from September 1 through April 30, and are paid for up to 20 hours per month in a specific area of ministry within Wayside. Ministry supervisors (usually one of the pastors or coordinators) support and direct the ministry side of the intern experience. Elizabeth Sherwood (co-lead pastor) and Gregg Koskela (young adult coordinator) support and direct the mentorship, training, and spiritual development side of the intern experience. Roughly two paid hours per month are devoted to mentorship, training, and spiritual development.

ELP Interns can be college age or older folks who desire a place to serve in ministry while also experiencing mentoring and training opportunities. Wayside aims to hire 2 – 3 ELP interns each year.