It may still be freezing temperatures here in Wisconsin, but inside the Next Step office it is certainly starting to feel like spring. We are in full preparation mode for summer 2018, and could not be more excited!

Within the Internship Department, a lot happens during the springtime as we are preparing for another amazing summer of mission trips. We spend time each month connecting with every summer staff member through our Pre-Summer Development Program. This program is designed to help prepare summer staff with position specific training content while also providing the opportunity to begin building relationships with full time staff members. We have a big heart to support, encourage, and walk alongside each summer staff member from the beginning of the internship on, and our Pre-Summer Development Program is an incredible way to begin.

In May, all of the summer staff teams arrive in Madison, WI for Training Week. This is a high energy week where all 170 staff members get hands on training before they head off to the communities they will be serving in all summer long. The full time office staff is busy planning and preparing staff training sessions and position specific training content to share with the summer staff during  this week.

As I reflect back on the seasons leading up to my summers serving with Next Step, I remember just how integral prayer was during that time. God was preparing my heart for the ways I would grow through the experience. My relationship with Christ deepened to be something I never expected it could. The summer changed my life; and that is why we spend time each week praying for the summer staff members individually during this season. We pray that God will work uniquely in each heart to ready the summer staff for how He will work through them and in them this summer. We invite you all to join us in praying for the 2018 Summer Staff as they prepare for a life-changing summer serving with us.

As we prepare for the summer, we are busy hiring final positions for our teams as May is right around the corner and we still have some spots to fill. If you know someone who would like to serve with us for summer 2018 please encourage them to apply!