Every fall, Sojourners welcomes 8 - 10 leaders to our office here in Washington, D.C. for a year-long internship program focused on spiritual formation, professional development, vocational discernment, and communal living. Program members are placed in different departments and work full-time alongside our staff. Throughout the program, interns practice intentional community living: sharing a budget, meals, spiritual practices, sorrows and joys, among many other things.
To enable this important work and provide space for spiritual and interpersonal growth, Sojourners (with your support!) covers the cost of housing, transportation, health insurance, and food.
Our Cycle 35 members come from all over the country and represent a variety of church backgrounds, including United Methodist, Dutch Reformed, and Pentecostal traditions. They happen to be a musical group and the house is often filled with the sounds of piano, guitar, and four-part harmonies. Dedicated to radical peace-making and countercultural shared living, they are currently exploring the intersection of faith and justice both in and out of the office.
Thank you for helping us walk alongside these leaders who are putting their faith into action and building God’s beloved community.
Continue reading to learn about the experiences and passions that led each of our interns to Sojourners and please keep them in your prayers as they grow in their faith and vocation!
Anna Sutterer, Multimedia Assistant
I also believe in the power of words, grace, good food, and dance. I look forward to engaging more with stories involving refugees and immigrants, public health, and religion. While at Sojourners, I pray to better understand love in action and the social justice modeled by Jesus. A mission of grace can feel unfair and uncertain. I need help to hold love for all people.
Logan Brock, Advertising Assistant
My decision to come to Sojourners could not have been made without the support and counsel of the people God has placed in my life. Thank you to my parents, my friends, mentors, and professors back at Eastern, my colleagues at Main Point Books, and to everyone who talked me through this process and prayed with me and for me. So much love to you all.
Rhea Williams, Donor Services Assistant
Although I grew up in the Pentecostal tradition, I have recently gravitated towards more contemplative streams of Christianity and I love learning about interdenominational spiritual disciplines! Outside of the office, you can find me leading worship on the piano, listening to podcasts about cults, or on the lookout for the best carrot cake in town.
To my “Cloud of Witnesses” that have come before me, shaped me, prayed for me; Indian Community Church of the Valley, Valley Christian Center, Westmont and the greater Santa Barbara Area-thank you for teaching me to think, feel, and love deeply. And of course, my mom, dad, and sister, who humble me with the reminder that peacemaking and justice-seeking begin within the family.
Chloe Hoy-Bianchi, Circulation Assistant
I identify as a musician, a poet, and an amateur comedian. I am an avid coffee drinker, and I have an extreme case of the travel bug. I also love to bake sweet treats and binge watch Parks and Recreation.
I am eternally thankful to my dear friends, Kali and Joshua, who are the reason I am here at Sojourners. They are the truest embodiment of the saying, “friends are the family you get to choose.” I am also grateful for the mentors who have supported me, laughed with me, and have always pointed me towards God.
Erin Haagsma, Summit/GA Assistant
I care about a lot of things, but a few themes that have really attached themselves to my heart are Latin American communities; the power of story, literacy, and education; the empowerment of women and girls; and LGBTQ inclusion in the church. I am excited to be at Sojourners, working with people who care about similar things and using my gifts to serve God and God’s people. I’m happiest when I’m reading a good book or having a good conversation. I also love spending time outside on a cool day, practicing my Spanish, exploring new places, and singing at the top of my lungs to Taylor Swift’s album Red.
I’m thankful to my family, friends, and mentors for supporting me and loving me throughout my life, and to God for his unwavering faithfulness.
Greg McCollum, Communications Assistant
In my spare time, I enjoy riding my bike, hanging out in coffee shops, and reading. Some of my favorite books include Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Christus Victor by Gustav Aulén, and Cardinal Contarini at Regensburg by Peter Matheson. I am passionate about the ways Christian history can inform the church’s preaching and outreach in the world today.
Kathryn Post, Editorial Assistant
Though I love learning about topics related to faith, justice, and politics, I’ve struggled with how to put my research findings into action. For me, faith is distinctly political; I believe that the Gospel’s depiction of radical love has unavoidable implications for how Christians are called to live. One of the reasons I’m excited to be part of the Sojourners' intern program this year is because of the opportunity to enact my convictions — not only will I be contributing to current conversations regarding faith/social justice as an editorial assistant, but I will also learn to live a life characterized by service and sacrifice alongside my fellow interns. When I’m not reading books about social justice, you can usually find me running around the National Mall, exploring coffee shops, binge-watching The West Wing, or belting showtunes in the shower.
Many thanks to my family for supporting my unpredictable life-decisions, and to my friends for giving me the courage to take the leap.
Will Young, Editorial Assistant
I became invested in social justice issues as a student journalist who spent a lot of time reporting on Lynchburg City’s pervasive problem with intergenerational poverty. Reading books and articles about poverty’s connection with other societal plagues—racial injustice, the school-to-prison pipeline, climate change—further impassioned me, and I became increasingly curious how Christianity fits into these issues, bringing me to Sojourners.
I find myself constantly reading a lot of non-fiction by talented journalists, namely There are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz,The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad and Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing by Ted Conover. In addition to trying to make the world a better place, I enjoy hiking, D.C. sports, and documentaries about things I don’t know about.
This program is made possible by the generous support of sojourners like you across the country. Learn more about Sojourners' internship program, and ways you can invest in the next generation of leaders.
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