Valparaiso University has officially been selected for a Fostering Leadership for Communities of Faith (FLOC) grant that allows us to create an internship program in partnership with area Valparaiso congregations that represent a variety of Christian denominations. The FLOC program will review applications, interview, match, and place 10 students in local congregations.
Applications are now OPEN! Applications are due April 13.
Who can apply?
Any Valpo student already at full-time undergraduate status in the spring semester 2026 and will be a full-time undergraduate student for the full ’26-27 academic calendar is eligible to apply for the internship. Students must be in good academic standing to be selected and to serve as a FLOC Intern.
How much does it pay?
FLOC Interns will receive a $1600 stipend paid out in 4 installments after submitted materials are received.
What are interns expected to do?
- Student interns would be required to register and attend the Christian Leadership and Formation (CLF) program (course code: REL 389) symposium on Tuesdays, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
- Note: Applicants need not already participate CLF program; however, if awarded an internship, they would join CLF programming during their internship year.
- The FLOC cohort will meet regularly during the symposium for intentional reflection, support, learning, and a collaborative ministry project for the internship.
- Interns would serve an average of 5 hours per week while classes are in session during the ’26-27 academic year at their congregational site.
- Interns will meet with their site supervisor for 1 hour every other week at a minimum. This will allow for clear time to discuss the intern’s role and responsibilities, while also creating space for mentorship.
- Interns may be supporting ministry with youth, children, music, administration, communication, outreach, social justice, visitation, worship, or more. We will do our best to match congregational needs with interns’ interests and gifts.
How are interns matched to a congregation?
FLOC interns come from a variety of theological backgrounds, and therefore, congregational site partners also reflect a diversity of theological perspectives. Ideally, students would serve in their denominational tradition, but that is not logistically possible at this scale. Nevertheless, we do believe that all students need to be placed in a congregation compatible with their theological tradition. Non- theologically compatible placements would be problematic for the student and congregation.
Given that students represent various majors and backgrounds, their interests and skills vary too, influencing their ministry and engagement. Interns would be placed in congregational internship sites based primarily on congregational needs and interns’ interests and gifts. Our partnering congregations range in size, ministry style, and needs; facilitating a better match is mutually beneficial.
Please note: Students will not be placed in a congregation where they have been a member prior to becoming a Valpo student.
Timeline?
Following application review some students will be interviewed by members of the committee sometime between April 16 – 24.
Finalists will be selected and will go through the site matching process that will include interviews with partner congregations. Finalists and Partners will give feedback about their preferences. Confirmation of official ’26-27 FLOC Interns and their congregational site placement will be announced by May 15.
