“Don’t be afraid to let your guard down. God really wants you to step out of your comfort zone. That is what Jesus did.”  That is how Dylan Deflethsen sums his experiences as a 2017 Elisha intern.

Deflethsen, DWU senior from White Lake UMC, spent ten weeks of his summer at Rapid City First UMC with mentor Rev. Greg Kroger experiencing ministry in a large church setting.  “It was kind of a culture shock for me,” said Deflethsen. “I come from a small church in a rural community. There was always something going on at Rapid City First.” Photo: Dylan Deflethsen.

Small churches typically do not have more than one person who is on staff and many times that one person is part-time. Dylan was impacted by the many activities and constant activity at Rapid City First.  One of the highlights of his internship was interacting with the staff and seeing how they work together as a team.

“One of the highlights for me was attending the staff planning retreat. There is such a good dynamic and the staff team works so well together,” said Deflethsen.

Specific experiences for Dylan included devotionals, care visits and helping with the meal—Come to the Table, a meal served once a month for the homeless. “Working at Come to the Table was my first experience with ministry to the homeless,” he stated.

On July 23, Deflethesen delivered a sermon at worship entitled “Hope.” The sermon was based on Romans 1:12-25.  “It was really an affirming experience, Deflethsen said about the sermon. “I felt so encouraged.”

Experiences that were challenging for the intern were hospital visits and a mission trip to Montana. “I really have not spent a lot of time at hospitals. I was anxious on my first visits with Greg, (Rev. Greg Kroger, lead pastor Rapid City First UMC). I learned that it is not about you. It is about the person you are visiting and offering them hope.” Photo: Rev. Greg Kroger.

A mission trip was a totally new experience for Deflethsen. He travelled with a group to the Black Feet reservation in Montana to help build fences, do some construction on a horse ranch that will serve youth on the reservation. “I was 15 hours away and really did not know what to expect. I pushed my way through the construction project and again realized it is not about me.”

Rev. Greg Kroger served as Deflethsen’s mentor. “He has so much energy. I love his demeanor and attitude. He is someone I aspire to be like,” Dylan said. The chance to work beside a leader such as Kroger provided great insight into the depth and breadth of ministry.

What is next? Deflethsen will finish his senior year at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota the spring of 2018.  He hopes to spend time throughout the academic year exploring and visiting seminaries.  “I think I will know when I visit the seminaries if it is a fit for me. If I don’t head to seminary I want to explore working for a nonprofit agency.” Photo: Dylan Deflethsen.

The Elisha Project is an internship program that allows the opportunity for college students to explore, discern their call and discuss with mentors and peers where God is calling them.  

Students who have completed at least one year of college, completed the application process and selected by the Elisha committee are assigned to a church and mentor.

In the spring of 2017, college students and local churches were invited to apply to participate in the Elisha Project for the summer. A team of clergy and laity selected interns and host churches from the pool of applicants. Interns received a $4,000 stipend. Click here for more information.