Grow in the Craft of Preaching
AAM OPSI is a 10 week Discipleship Intensive for Asian American Students to grow as student preachers who cultivate spiritual openness through verbal or written communication.
Join a cohort of student interns growing together!
This is a paid internship ($1,200) that will take roughly 50 hours over 10 weeks.
Please fill out both of these applications:
Application Form (Teams) Application (Workday)
Key Dates:
April 18 - Application Deadline
April 25 - References Due
April 28 - Interview
May 1 - Acceptances sent out; I9 due (get documents ready!)
June 2 - Online Internship Begins
August 13 - Internship Concludes
Why preaching?
As a student intern, you will be part of imagining new and uniquely Asian American ways of preaching the good news of Jesus. You’ll be asked to invite others into spiritual openness in two styles – telling compelling stories, and re-telling your favorite parable as a short, one-point message.
You won’t be expected to give a longer format sermon (10+ minutes) unless you choose to, and we will provide ample training and practice for each of these styles during the first half of the internship.
Why online?
You will craft these stories and retellings of the good news in some kind of online format – whether a short form video (Instagram, Tiktok), a YouTube series, a podcast, or through some kind of online community (like a gaming or fan discord server). We will use these online spaces and communities as a place for learning and to simulate the experience of other in-person Discipleship Intensives that InterVarsity offers (like a spring break justice plunge, or a global program)
You’ll be expected to create at least a few minutes of audio content, and with the option to add video or other media during the second half of the internship. We provide a technology stipend to purchase equipment.
Internship Requirements
- InterVarsity student member or leader (Sophomore - Senior; Freshmen, please ask your staff to reach out to us):
- Small Group Leader
- Social Media Manager
- Vision Team
- Apprentice
- Prospective leader
- Identifies as Asian American
- Mild audio and/or video editing experience (you can record audio, and cut a few video clips together)
- Part of an existing online community where you can share your preaching & invite response (personal social media; InterVarsity chapter account; gaming / hobby / fan community; etc)
- Wants to develop their giftedness in preaching & storytelling!
Other requirements
- Attends each of the training sessions (4 or 5 ninety minute calls; 6-8 hours)
- Completes the prep-work for each training session (2-3 hours)
- Meets with the program director for coaching calls (10-12 thirty minute calls; 5-6 hours)
- Successfully completes capstone project (see requirements below)
Application Process
Please note that there are two applications to fill out. Both are due April 16th, 2025.
- Microsoft Form (early application begins Oct 2024; opens March 4th, 2025)
- Workday Application (opens on March 4th, 2025)
2025 Timeline
Application Timeline
October 1st 2024 - February 28th, 2025
Early application open (please fill out interest form)
March 4st, 2025
Application form opens officially
Workday application opens
April 18th
Application deadline
April 25th
References due
April 28th-30th
30 minute interviews
May 1
Acceptances sent out; I9 due (get documents ready!)
June 1st, 2025
Cohort #1 begins
August 13th
Cohort #1 concludes
Sep 1, 2025*
Cohort #2 begins
*subject to change
Capstone Information
Your capstone project is the culmination of the internship, where you will display your preaching skills in a creative digital form.
A successful Capstone includes the following characteristics:
- Some sort of online audio and/or video project in which you practice on of the two preaching styles from our training (story telling or a one-point message)
- At least 3 minutes of your voice
- Video is optional, if you choose a format like tiktok/instagram, or youtube
- A post on some sort of online platform that can be linked to and shared
- An invitation for listeners to become spiritually open, and follow-up via a message or comment
- You will be asked to submit a copy of your video or audio file for our archives
Capstone Examples
- Create social media videos ahead of NSO that tell the story of your chapter and invite others to engage.
- Start conversations online on Discord or some other platform by sharing in chat, or sharing content that you have created.
- Feature on an AAM student podcast (tbd)
- Share your creative process via video, which includes personal stories that connect to Jesus.
Podcast
At the midpoint of the internship, you will be invited to join a podcast recording to practice your storytelling skills by sharing a 5-10 minute story with a few follow-up questions around the theme of navigating college as an Asian American Christian.
Podcast info
We believe that making it through the transition to college and young adulthood means becoming open to caring for the needs of your soul. This podcast is for Asian American students navigating college & learning to develop their voice in the world.
Sample topics include: forgiveness and cutting people off; boundaries & relationships; balancing academics & social life.
FAQs
What are the training topics? *subject to change
- Training #1 - Introduction & Spiritual Openness
- Training #2 - Telling Stories
- Training #3 - A One-Point Message
- Training #4 - Asian American Identity
- Training #5 - Capstone Project Prep
How will I be spending my hours?
There are 5-7 mandatory 90 minute training & celebration calls. At least 1 hour per week of 1:1 coaching calls. 30-45 minutes of pre-assignments before each training. Individual practice time. More info coming soon! (Please note that this is an estimate on meeting hours; you will spend the remaining time preparing your preaching and practicing).
What are the requirements to completing the internship?
- Attending each of the training sessions.
- Meeting with the program director for coaching calls.
- Successfully completing your capstone project.
What if I miss or can’t make a training?
The trainings and doing the capstone are required for completion of the internship, but communicate scheduling conflicts ASAP so we can work with your calendar.
Who can be in the cohort?
Asian American students, who are part of an InterVarsity chapter and would like to grow in their giftedness in preaching. Recent alumni are invited as well!
Will there be future cohorts? How big will they be & when?
Yes! In Spring 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026. We will have between 4-6 students.
Will this prepare me to preach in-person?
While this internship is focused online, these skills will prepare you to share the good news of Jesus in a compelling and honest way in many forms, including in-person.
How will I be paid? How much?
The internship pays a flat rate, $1,200. You will be paid via direct deposit or check, depending on what you select; every 2 weeks during the internship.
What paperwork will I need to fill out?
You will fill out an application via Microsoft Forms, an application via Workday, and if accepted, an i9 form. You will be hired as student intern with InterVarsity. Learn more: https://intervarsity.org/get-involved/work-with-us
You will need three references to complete the application process (InterVarsity staff, Pastoral Leader, and a peer). Please ask them ahead of time!
You will need to verify your i9 paperwork with identification documents. Please plan to have these documents during the week of April 24th. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
What is the Tech Stipend?
We will provide funds to purchase a limited amount of technology to assist you with your capstone project, in conversation with the program director
I have more questions!
Please contact Eugene Chu at eugene.chu@intervarsity.org.
