Dear Future LEAP Year Intern,

I am very grateful for you and the confidence you have placed in PTM to provide a meaningful place for you to grow (LEAP).   Also, I am very grateful for all of the ways that you will help the youth we serve LEAP—and not only the youth, but the entire “family” of PTM staff, parents, and volunteers.  We have been praying for you and trust that God has led you to PTM.  God continues to answer in amazing ways.  Below are some of the qualities that set you apart and make you a great fit for a LEAP Year at PTM.

You are passionate about God and desire deeply to follow God’s will for your life.  Your deepest desire is to bring glory to God in all that you do. You are grounded in scripture and in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  You embody the very core beliefs that we want desperately the youth of PTM to know, feel, and believe. ( https://prestontaylorministries.org/about/core-beliefs/ )

You are aware of the sin in your own life.  As much as you long to be free, you recognize at times your own pride and insecurity as well as your natural bent towards selfishness and self-protection.  You are committed to dealing with this struggle with other “sinners” who are seeking God.  This makes you a trustworthy and authentic person with whom community becomes possible and desirable.

You are a servant.  You feel most alive when you are “spending yourself” on behalf of others.  The idea of a year of service to you is like a dream come true.  You understand that the worship God requires is that we offer ourselves as living sacrifices.  As a servant, you are full of joy whether teaching children or cleaning up after them, whether planning an event or entering receipts into a spreadsheet, whether at a staff retreat or in the wee hours of the morning of a youth retreat.

You are realistic in your approach to a LEAP Year.  You know there will be tension at times with your roommates.  You know you will be asked to serve when you are tired.  You know not every PTM youth is going to like you and some may even cuss you out.  You know there may be a time when you have to get up at 5:30 in the morning.  But, you are idealistic enough to know that every inconvenience and setback will be overcome by little victories and triumphs in new, lifelong friendships.

We are asking a lot from this LEAP Year.  You will give a lot.  At the end of your LEAP Year you will look back and believe (like I do) that PTM and its youth have offered way more than you ever considered possible.  To help you devote your full-time energy to this LEAP Year, PTM will offer housing for you and 3 other interns to share and a stipend of $500 per month.   You will also have two weeks of vacation to be taken outside of normal programming.  The greatest benefits, however, will be intangible.  You will have an amazing opportunity to learn about yourself while living in close quarters with three others.  You will build life-long friendships and will treasure the weekly small groups and shared meals.  You will be changed by relationships with PTM students.  They will help you see a bigger picture of God.  They have so much to offer.  You will love Carmen!  Being in individual and group check-ins with her will mean far more to you than a much higher salary and a nicer house.  You will also love being a part of PTM’s staff and having a chance to work closely with some remarkable people.  Like for me, the biggest joy being at PTM will come in the satisfaction of serving God and others while doing something that is fun, that makes a difference, and that helps create joy-filled friendships.

If interested in this position, please make contact through the on line application.  I am very excited about meeting you and serving with you.  You are an answer to many prayers.

Very gratefully yours,

Chan Sheppard