When God Calls You

Each year, the Institute for Christian Thought and Practice sends ministry students who have just finished their junior year of college on a seven-month, full-time, full-semester college credit internship called PRIME. PRIME stands for “Practical Research and Immersion in Ministry Effectiveness.” Current students and alumni of our ministry degree programs agree: PRIME is life-changing.

I sat down with Bre Allgeier and asked, “What was the process like for you leaving for PRIME?” She said,

“My sophomore year of college, I remember saying something to my friend about wanting to go somewhere more poverty-stricken for PRIME. She said something about Los Angeles. I immediately responded with, ‘No, why would I go there?’”

Bre had the deep conviction from God about going to the Los Angeles area to do her PRIME internship even though she had been fighting that idea for so long. When she made the decision to go, the moment of surrendering everything to God was intimate and special for her. She said, “I will always hold onto that moment forever because of how special it was.”

When she got to Emmanuel Reformed Church, she learned many different things about herself. She discussed with me how she grew in self-awareness, particularly regarding her facial expressions when talking to students. She found her facial expressions did not match the words that were coming from her mouth. She never wanted to come off as judgmental when talking to anyone, particularly students. Bre said, “It’s not helpful, safe, just, or kind.”

She also learned when it comes to teaching that she likes to use visuals and analogies of important theological topics because it helps students see something tangible. One way she did this was by hanging bags of rocks on a cross to show a representation of what the weight of sin looks like. She explained to students that it was even heavier than what she could model, but through Jesus’ heavy sacrifice, they didn’t have to carry their burdens anymore. Bre enjoyed trying to imitate the way Jesus often used stories and analogies to help people understand His messages.

If you want to grow as a ministry leader, the Institute for Christian Thought and Practice offers the PRIME internship to students studying youth ministries, special needs ministry, children’s ministry, missions, or worship leadership.

Learn More about PRIME at Huntington >