lars the intern

I just spent an awesome week in southern California staying at Biola University for CIY MOVE summer camp! This was the high school camp for our youth ministry. We got back early this morning. I got very little sleep this week (special thanks to Dalton Davis and Wesley Kelly) Overall, it was such a wonderful week and I'm so blessed to have been able to go.

We had a big, eclectic group of kids that went. It was very exciting from a leadership standpoint to watch God move in them in unique ways. CIY is a national camp that pulls in tremendous talent- from their worship band, to their teachers, they place high value on production.

It was a fun week, we did a lot of activities outside of the camp, such as going to Huntington Beach, Knottsberry Farm, a local hotspot arcade and ice cream shop. Every student came away saying that it was a fun week, and most seemed to have a new passion for living out their faith. CIY is very serious about challenging students to live for something greater than the typical high school experience.

Pictures will be coming soon!

A big part of my internship is living with a host family. A host family, opens up a bedroom, a bathroom and a seat at the kitchen table- by allowing me to stay with them they make my internship financially possible.

This weekend I'll be moving for the fourth time in about 5 weeks! Downtown Phoenix -> the Leggett's -> the Browns and my next stop will be with the Jenkins. I feel like I'm on a speed dating show called "the who's who of New Life" ;-)

Each move has been blessing! Currently I'm living with Sean and Michelle Brown. They're a wonderful young couple, with great hearts and they are a lot fun to be around. Although I only stayed a short while between moves I have really been enjoying my time!

Before the Brown's I was staying with the Leggett's. Originally, the plan was to stay there for about a week. Well, that turned into about 4 weeks... but I'm really thankful it did! I was welcomed by Scott, Jenny and their three children like family. The Leggett's are great people, who truly have taught and modeled a lot that I hope to see in my life and family one day.


Movie night with Nick


The Leggett Kids!

My next move will this weekend with Elaine and Lou Jenkins. I am very excited for this upcoming move. Earlier today Elaine showed me around their home- it’s a beautiful and spacious home.

Hey all, I just got back from our Junior High Camp at United Christian Youth Camp in Prescott(UCYC.) Our time there was a huge success! I was a counselor for the 6th grade boys' cabin. Our students enjoyed some awesome recreation times: paint balling, a zipline, a 40' climbing wall, as well as off-site rock climbing and kayaking were just a few of the things that they experienced. It was great to watch our students build friendships, work together and share new memories!



UCYC has a beautiful campground that inspired our students to be in awe and wonder at God's vast creation. We were blessed with some phenomenal times of worship music and teaching. This week became life changing for many of our students. Some were moved to tears learning about Christ's love for them.

It's official, I've started at New Life. Last Monday was my first day and I'm really loving it! I'm already finding myself getting pretty busy. We have a student talent show this Friday night, a mission trip and two Summer camps to get ready for!

Throughout this week I've found myself getting more and more excited about being here with New Life. I've been meeting some wonderful people. Especially my temporary host family, Scott and Jenny Leggett, along with their three children: Natalie (12), Kendall (9) and Nick (6). They've been so welcoming and warm, I'm trying to soak up all of my time with the Leggett's- they're wonderful company and have so much to teach me about hospitality. I will be here for the next week or so, until I find a permanent host family!

Last Friday, I had two goodbye parties for my former jobs with Arizona State University. The first job was as an office assistant for the University College on the Downtown Campus. My boss with University College hosted a pizza party in my honor. I got to enjoy lunch with the professors and professional staff I helped throughout the year. They sent me off with well wishes and a thoughtful thank you card!

The second job was with the Department of Student Engagement, where I was a Community Assistant for the downtown residential hall, Taylor Place. They hosted an end of the year finale later that day for the Community Assistants and various para-professional staff. I was voted Mr. Congeniality, and I was really honored that they chose to give me such a nice certificate. It was a great time to gather and celebrate our hard work on behalf of the students for the past year.



I really enjoyed both jobs. The time I invested in each job and with ASU was well spent, but I’m looking forward to my new position with New Life. I will miss my room’s view at the residential hall…



But I’m looking forward to the new view I will have with my host family through New Life. I will hopefully be finding out who my host family is soon. It is an incredibly generous thing to invite someone into your home and allow them to be a part of your family. I am praying for whoever would be willing to do that for me, and please join me in praying for them.

I want to give a huge THANKS to everyone who has partnered with me to support my internship through their prayers and financial generosity. Your support has been profoundly humbling and encouraging! Right now I have 80% of my living and ministry budget pledged for the first year of my internship. Simply put, we have some ground to cover to be fully funded. If you have an interest in giving but haven’t yet, I’d encourage you to give now.

If you click on the icon below, I now have a PayPal option for financial giving:

I know that God will provide, as we have about a month to raise more than $2,000 dollars! Whatever the amount that you’re moved to give, your support is needed and would truly be a blessing!

Most of those reading this will know a little bit about me, my ambitions in ministry and the internship I recently accepted. But I want introduce you to the church I will be serving at, New Life. New Life is located in Peoria, Arizona, a growing suburb of Phoenix. They meet in a converted strip mall near freeways, shopping centers, and some of the best sport and concert venues in the state.



What impresses me the most about New Life is their heart. New Life’s heart beats for the Gospel. Their campus has a warm and welcoming environment that overflows into community projects and global missions. On the Student Ministries level, new pastor Brian Drinkwine’s impact has been huge. His vision is creating a growing and dynamic youth ministry.





Currently New Life is going through a 31 week sermon series called “The Story.” The Story is God’s story, the Bible. New Life has an incredible website where all of their audio and video content is available. In short, I’m excited to be with New Life and to be on mission with them.

*Thanks to fellow intern Phill Oprie for taking these photos.

Thanks for checking out my blog! I want to use this blog to keep friends and family updated on my internship with New Life Community Church. For the next two years this will be my primary focus and passion, I want to reach as many young lives as possible. Also, this is an awesome opportunity to enter youth ministry and be trained for future pastoral ministry.

I cannot begin to express how excited I am to start this! I appreciate your prayers and encouragement as I fully invest myself in what I consider to be God’s calling on my life.