Missions Ministry Internship

Introduction

First Baptist Rogers is a Southern Baptist Church in Northwest Arkansas. We conduct ten services every Sunday at four different campuses for approximately 3,000 people each week.  Our mission is to make disciples of all nations.  We seek to accomplish that mission by coming, connecting, growing, serving, and going as we seek to shine like stars—both in terms of standing firm in an unwavering commitment to live in a manner worthy of the gospel and advancing the gospel of the kingdom among unreached peoples and places.

Northwest Arkansas is home to an exploding population due to the corporate headquarters of Walmart, J.B. Hunt, Tyson Foods, and more than 300 Fortune 500 companies. The area is a thriving suburban community that repeatedly receives national recognition for its high quality of life, low cost of living, reduced crime rates, and economic vitality. In 2023-2024, NWA was ranked No. 10 in the U.S. News & World Report's annual Best Places to Live survey. 

NWA is home to nationally recognized museums, fine arts centers, and over 250 miles of top-tier biking and walking trails. Just minutes away, you can enjoy Beaver Lake, or find some of the nation's most beautiful landscapes with hiking trails and camping. Fine dining and hometown local favorites are in abundance too, as well as just about any big city entertainment you could want, but in a warm and friendly community.

We have an Acts 1:8 mission strategy which begins in our Jerusalem (Rogers), extends to our Judea (Arkansas) and Samaria (North America), and it doesn’t stop until it reaches the ends of the earth (all nations—every people group, tribe, and language group).  We work locally, nationally, and globally through the power of the Holy Spirit to increase the effectiveness of our witness and ministry as we seek to multiply healthy disciples, leaders, and churches among all the nations. 

We can’t go everywhere and do everything, so we effectively steward our resources for maximum  impact. We want anyone and everyone, anytime, and everywhere to utilize their gifts and expertise, and contribute strategically to the advancement of the gospel.

Since 2022, when we launch the Summer Mission Intern Program, we have had 28 units who were focused on Hispanic/Latinos, South Asians, Hmong, and Caucasians.  The Summer Mission Interns contribute to church planting efforts among the highest population segments (ethnic minorities) in northwest Arkansas.  We have had eight Church Planting Residents go through our Church Planting Residency Program, and they have been focused church planting and/or church revitalization among Hispanic/Latinos, South Asians, and in an emerging population center (Siloam Springs).

In 2025, we have two new units that will be joining our Church Planting Residency Program, and they will be focused on church planting among the Hmong people in northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri, and northeastern Oklahoma.  We plan to recruit additional couples for the Marshallese, Vietnamese, and Cambodian segments in the coming years. 

This Summer Mission Internship will enhance evangelistic, disciple making, and church planting efforts among these unreached peoples and unevangelized communities. Further, it will provide hands-on mentoring, accountability, support, and contextualized training which will broaden your skills and expertise.

Population Growth/Ethnic Diversity

Northwest Arkansas has experienced a population surge in the past decade with an increase of 20% in residents since 2010. The current census information projects a net gain of 50 people per day with an expected growth of 10% by 2025. Most significant has been the ethnically diverse populations that have increased from 5% in 1990 to nearly 24% in 2010.  It has grown another 5% in the past two years.  The cities of Tontitown, Centerton, Highfill, Pea Ridge, and Prairie Grove are the five fastest growing areas in northwest Arkansas with Centerton showing the largest population growth (the 6^th largest population percentage change from 2022 to 2023). The Hispanic/Latino segments experienced the largest population growth with approximately 18% inhabitants among a population of 500,000. Northwest Arkansas schools have more than 90 countries represented, and 87 different languages spoken.  Bentonville’s Indian population increased 239% in seven years!  The Rogers, Springdale, and Siloam Springs schools are the most ethnically diverse with Spanish, Marshallese, Hmong, and Vietnamese being the most widely spoken secondary languages.

Dates: May 25-August 2, 2025 (Ten Weeks)

Team Member Qualifications

·       Sense God’s leadership into this ministry assignment

·       Strong desire to work with people from other cultures

·       Emotional maturity

·       Vibrant spiritual walk

·       Faithful church member

·       In college or seminary with required references (e.g., BCM Director, Campus Minister, Pastor, Professor, etc.).

·       Willingness to serve on a team

·       Commitment to the entire ten-week internship

Specific Duties

·       Conducting demographic and ethnographic research in the field to determine where diverse ethnic populations in northwest Arkansas live, work, shop, and play.

·       Developing and strengthening relationships with these ethnic populations for the purpose of declaring His name and displaying His love.

·       Sharing the gospel, making disciples, discipling new believers, and leading them into community with the faith family.

·       Coordinating and cooperating in larger evangelistic and church planting efforts throughout the summer which will meaningfully impact children, youth, and adults with the gospel (building God’s kingdom). 

Stipend/Benefits

·       $5,200 for ten weeks and paid on a biweekly basis.

·       $4,200 for international students, but paid as a scholarship to your educational institution (tuition, room and board, and fees).  An additional $1,000 to be paid to cover groceries and transportation costs over this ten-week period, and made available to the students minus required tax deductions.

·       Housing assistance may be available as needed.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025.

Salary : $5,200