Young adults are often pulled in two directions. Sometimes they hear, “delay ‘adulting’ and go have a grand adventure.” Other times, they feel pressure, “go figure out your place in the world and find a stable career.” These mixed and opposing messages can lead to a sense of confusion and paralysis. Next provides young adults a third option.
Next, created by Global Partners, is designed to help young adults explore who they are in God’s mission. Global Partners staff members have taken the best of past internship experiences and crafted something new for emerging leaders. Through Next, participants are prepared for lifelong global engagement through mentored cross-cultural immersion.
Next welcomes interns from a variety of educational backgrounds or experiences. Some interns will return home as disciple makers, leading with a global mindset. Other interns will become long-term missionaries with Global Partners. Next prepares young adults for whatever is next in their lives.
“God taught me the importance of inviting him to lead conversations with people who believe differently than me,” said Bebe Gergley, a recent Indiana Wesleyan University student reflecting on her 2017 summer internship in Europe. Gergley gained disciple-making skills and the ability to build bridges with people different from her. She was excited to put her experience into practice.
The Next formational essentials include:
- COMMUNITY: Share in redeeming relationships
- CHARACTER: Grow in self-awareness and spiritual maturity
- CULTURE: Embrace opportunities to learn with others who are different
- CALLING: Discover kingdom potential and purpose
“As Wesleyans,” said Dr. Dennis Jackson, Global Partners executive director, “we long to have a transforming presence in every community. Next moves us closer to becoming a global multiplication movement that equips disciples to make disciples no matter what ZIP code they come from or go to. In a world that uses fear to keep people apart, Next encourages people to move toward others with the love of Jesus.
“Imagine the kingdom impact of young adults journeying with experienced mentors in a cross-cultural, mission context, learning more about God and his mission and engaging in relationships while practicing intercultural skills,” Jackson said. “Join us in praying for the young men and women who will chose to invest in their earthly and eternal formation through Next.”
Next launches summer of 2019 in four locations: Central Europe, Turkic-Arabic Area, Eastern Europe and Dearborn, Michigan. Internship costs range from $1,500 – $1,860 per month depending on location. Scholarships are available.
For more information, visit Next.
