​Internships at HBC

At Horicon Baptist Church, we love investing in the next generation of ministry leaders. Our interns don’t just serve—they become part of our church family, growing through personal discipleship and hands-on ministry. We’re in a small community with a big need for the gospel, and we see every day as an opportunity to shine the light of Christ where it’s most needed.

We're located just 7.5 miles (about a 10-minute drive) from Word of Life, in a community with a great need for gospel witness. Warren County has 65,000 residents, but only 4% identify as evangelical, and most (65%) claim no religious affiliation. Brant Lake once had five churches—today, HBC is the last one remaining. We see this not as a reason to despair, but as an opportunity to be a bright light for Christ in a spiritually dark place.​

Former intern Edward Rodier preaching on Psalm 8.

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Internship Overview

Qualifications:

• Testimony of personal relationship with Jesus
• Be able to share the Gospel clearly and soundly
• In agreement with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000
• Humble and teachable

Former intern Ryan Harding teaching Sunday School.

Internship length: September–May
Expectations: 

• Required: Attend Sunday services regularly, even on weeks you’re not scheduled to serve.
• Required: Participate in guided reading and discussion of selected books with the Pastor and fellow interns.
• Encouraged: Commit to Horicon Baptist Church through membership.
  • If you prefer to keep your membership at your home church, associate membership is available.

More Information on Membership

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Why do we make such a big deal about church membership?

Because church membership brings clarity. ​It’s how a believer publicly says: “These are my people. This is my church. I will walk with them, love them, and serve them.” ​It’s how a church says: “This one is ours. We will walk with them, watch over them, and help them follow Jesus.”

And that clarity matters. Without it, students often drift in and out, and our members don’t know who to intentionally invest in. Since we can’t pour deeply into everyone, we purposefully commit ourselves to those who have purposefully committed themselves to us.

That’s why we encourage students (even if you’re only here for a year) to join, because membership turns simply “attending” or “serving” into truly belonging to a church family.

Pastoral Intern

Our pastoral internship focuses on two essentials for ministry: character and competency. Interns will work closely with the Pastor gaining firsthand experience in shepherding God’s people while helping lead specific areas of church life. You’ll grow through regular meetings with the Senior Pastor, hands-on ministry, and opportunities to teach and preach.
Opportunities Include:

• Preaching and teaching as needs and giftings allow
• Assisting in discipleship, evangelism, and counseling
• Helping lead special services and events (holidays, weddings, funerals, etc.)
• Joining sermon preparation and feedback sessions

This role is designed to give you a realistic, enriching, and spiritually formative taste of full-time pastoral ministry.​

Books You’ll Read:

• What Is a Healthy Church? — Mark Dever
• Worship Matters — Bob Kauflin
• On Preaching — H.B. Charles
  
• The Path to Being a Pastor — Bobby Jamieson ​

Former intern Jack Hilsher preaching on Psalm 3.

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Music Intern

​You’ll work alongside the Pastor to plan and lead Christ-centered worship, using your gifts in music or media to serve the church. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or run sound and slides, you’ll be part of helping the congregation praise God together each week.
Opportunities Include:

• Joining the music team (vocals or instruments)
• Helping plan and lead Sunday worship services
• Supporting worship through media, sound, or other creative skills

This role will help you grow in your abilities while deepening your love for leading God’s people in song.
Books You’ll Read:

• What Is a Healthy Church? — Mark Dever
• Worship Matters — Bob Kauflin
• On Worship — H.B. Charles​

Outreach Intern

The outreach internship is about helping our church love our neighbors and share the hope of Jesus. You’ll spend time in our community building relationships, having gospel conversations, and helping others in the church learn how to do the same. You’ll also help us connect with and encourage the missionaries we support around the world.
Opportunities Include:

• Sharing the gospel through personal conversations in the community
• Equipping others in the church for outreach and evangelism
• Planning and promoting missions-focused events
• Communicating with and supporting our missionaries

This role will grow your heart for the lost, sharpen your skills in evangelism, and help you lead others to live on mission.
​​ Books You’ll Read:

• What Is a Healthy Church? — Mark Dever
• The Gospel and Personal Evangelism — Mark Dever
• Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God — J.I. Packer​​​

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Children's Ministry Intern

The children’s ministry internship is about helping the youngest in our church know and love Jesus. You’ll serve in HBC Kids on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and at special events—caring for children, teaching them God’s Word, and helping others in the church grow in their ability to disciple the next generation. You’ll also partner with parents to encourage and support them in raising their children in the faith.
Opportunities Include:

• Discipling and caring for children during services and events
• Training and equipping others for children’s ministry
• Planning and promoting children’s ministry events
• Communicating with parents of HBC Kids

Books You’ll Read:

• What Is a Healthy Church? — Mark Dever
• Build on Jesus — Deepak Reju & Marty Machowski
• Shepherding a Child’s Heart — Tedd Tripp​​

Women's Ministry Intern

The women’s ministry internship is about growing in your own walk with Christ while helping strengthen and encourage the women of HBC. You’ll be personally discipled by the pastor’s wife, serve alongside her in ministry, and help create opportunities for women to grow together in God’s Word and prayer.
Opportunities Include:

• One-on-one discipleship with the pastor’s wife
• Assisting in planning and leading women’s ministry events
• Encouraging and building up women through personal relationships and small group settings

Books You’ll Read:

• What Is a Healthy Church? — Mark Dever
• Women of the Word — Jen Wilkin
• The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment — Jeremiah Burroughs

We will only be accepting 1–2 women’s ministry interns per year. Early applicants will receive preference.
If you’re interested, please email us at [email protected] or call 518-222-4472.

Former interns Matthew Brennan preaching on Psalm 2.