Q & A with ACTION missionary Gary Rieben

1. What are some ministry tasks that you want the intern to accomplish while serving with you?

An intern's ministry tasks will vary depending on the time of year. From January to April, they would travel around to our feeding centers to supervise and ensure the centers are following procedure. They would also do a program for the orphans and widows as part of the discipleship program of the center! Throughout the year, interns would be involved in running children's Bible clubs, as well as offering training seminars for children's ministry leaders. They would work together with missionaries to devise the curriculum. Female interns would host women's Bible studies weekly in the village. Male interns would host Bible classes and perhaps leadership classes.

2. What are some key lessons from your ministry and walk with the Lord that you want to impart to the interns to help them as they consider their own individual call to missions or vocational ministry?

Some key lessons would be the importance of time in prayer and personal study of the Word, using the Bible as the basis for all teaching and life (2 Tim. 3:16-17), discipleship of local believers, the importance of building personal relationships and concern for the local people (i.e. through home visits, taking the time to pray with them), ability to solidly share the gospel in various contexts (i.e. children's program, home visits, teen's program, etc.), understanding and adapting to the Malawian culture, ministering appropriately in the cultural context while discerning when biblical standard must rise above cultural standards. We will encourage the intern to make a life changing decision to spend the rest of their days memorizing God's Word so that it becomes the truth that guides the mind, the delight that captures the heart and the strength that empowers the hands.

3. What criteria do you use to measure the effectiveness of an intern serving with you?

An intern’s effectiveness may be determined by their devotion to fulfilling the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20), level of commitment to the Lord and His Word, commitment to the people they are ministering to, personal spiritual growth, commitment to ministry, preparation for ministries, flexibility, and adaptability to the culture. Perhaps the best way to sum up the overall effectiveness of the intern is "servanthood." Is the intern willing to do whatever it takes to honor Jesus and love the people he or she has come to serve?

4. Please list specific skills an intern may expect to develop by the time the internship is completed.

Cross-cultural communication (of the Gospel & Word of God), ministerial organization and administration, cross-cultural collaboration (in working with National leaders), discipleship, evangelism, development and sustainability in a cross-cultural setting. Teamwork: being willing to flow with the direction of the national team, their focus, their vision, their priorities. Friendships: We believe that relationships, genuine care for one another, loyalty to one another, service to one another, prayer for one another, love for one another and respect for one another is the foundation upon which Christ-honoring, life-changing ministry is built. We are committed to Paul's instruction: "Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bod of peace." (Ephesians 4:2-3) In summary, we can't minister effectively as a team if we are not friends.

For more information email mobilize@actionusa.org