Seth Grunder is a Youth Ministry Internship graduate who serves as the student pastor at Movement Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. Every week, middle school and high school students flock to the church to enjoy fellowship and discover biblical truth. After Seth presents the discussion topic of the evening, he and the youth leaders divide the students into groups based on grade and gender. They play dodgeball and other icebreaker games to build unity and trust with their small groups before diving into a meaningful discussion time. Through this Wednesday night youth program, along with discipleship and community outreach throughout the rest of the week, Seth is working with his church to further the gospel in Port Charlotte and around the world. When asked what led him to pursue youth ministry, Seth responded, “Ever since I was a teenager, I felt a pulling of
the Holy Spirit toward student ministry.” He explained that God used the Bible Institute, with the opportunities to serve in teen camp ministry, as a catalyst that amplified his desire to impact youth. “The Bible Institute taught me how to engage with students in a way that breaks down walls and penetrates the real and deep issues they are facing in their lives. It taught me how to share my faith in a practical and meaningful way. It gave me opportunities to travel the world to share the message of hope, freedom, life, and forgiveness that is offered in a relationship with Jesus.” Claudia Motyl also attested to the impact of the Bible Institute in cultivating her desire to work in youth ministry. Claudia is currently in the Youth Ministry Internship program; she is serving at Movement Church with a focus on children’s ministry. “I’ve always wanted to do children’s ministry ever since I was in middle school,” she said, “but I
wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to do it. When I came to Word of Life, there were so many amazing opportunities for missions.” She first heard about the Youth Ministry Internship while she was counseling campers at The Coast (Word of Life’s summer camp based in Hudson, Florida). “I wanted to do the YMI program because I wanted to be discipled by people who already had experience in the field before I started out on my own.” For students like Claudia, the internship bridges the gap between the Bible Institute and a vocation where they can impact youth for Christ. In reflecting on the Youth Ministry Internship, Seth emphasized the benefit of being able to finish his degree at a discounted rate. “Because of the extravagant generosity that funded this opportunity, I was able to achieve a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and theology through Clarks Summit
“I wanted to do the YMI program because I wanted to be discipled by people who already had experience in the field before I started out on my own.”
Seth Grunder '18 & '19
Claudia Motyl '21 & '22
19 The Experience
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