“There are crowds of people in this world that don’t know the Good News that Jesus loves them. It’s time for each of us to chase wholeheartedly after Jesus, and the people He came to save.”  Excerpt from a sermon by Natalie Buck, University of North Dakota junior.

The Elisha Project is a college internship program designed to assist young people to discern more fully what God is calling them to do. Churches partner with Dakotas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry to provide a learning experience and a stipend. 

Photo: Natalie Buck, a junior at the University of North Dakota spent the summer as an Elisha Project Intern at Wesley United Methodist Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Photo from Facebook.

Natalie Buck, a junior at the University of North Dakota spent the summer at Wesley United Methodist Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  She led  “Wesley on Wednesday” an evening of activities and a prayer-focused worship service. Natalie also helped to design and carry out lessons, video messages and sermons for all ages based on the author Dr. Seuss.

The summer experiences allowed Natalie to explore her talents and her call.  “I really love planning worship,” said Buck. “I was not as confident about visitations.”

Natalie grew up in Oakes, North Dakota where she was active in Oakes United Methodist Church.  She was a member of the Dakotas Conference Council on Youth Ministries.  Natalie has been wondering where God is calling her since her youth and camping experiences. The Elisha internship was a perfect fit. 

Rev. Howie Baird served as the mentor for Natalie.  “It was a pleasure to work with Natalie this past summer,” said Baird. “She has so much energy and creativity.  She added a lot to our Wesley community.  It was an awesome experience for everyone.”

If your church or you know of a person who would like to consider the Elisha Project click here for details. Churches should begin to budget and plan now to host an intern the summer of 2016.

Watch a video promotional messge from summer of 2015 created by Natalie Buck and Pastor Howie Baird, Grand Forks Wesley UMC>

Summer promo from Grand Forks Wesley from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.