sharing jesus with sydney and beyond
Go deep with Jesus. Grow your faith. Get stuck into church—and have fun doing it.
The Ministry Intern at Vine Church is more than time off—it’s a season on mission.
If you’re hungry to grow, eager to be discipled, and want a real taste of life and ministry in a vibrant church community right in the heart of Sydney, the Ministry Internship could be just what you’re looking for.
What is a Ministry Intern?
Our Ministry Internship is designed for 18–23-year-olds who want to take time out of study or work to be discipled, grow in their love for Jesus, and invest deeply in his church before starting further study or entering the workforce. Think of it like a gap year!
The Ministry Internship is a 6–12 month ministry and discipleship program, closely modelled on our MTS Apprenticeship. It provides immersive training and hands-on ministry experience, all while being supported by mentors who are committed to your spiritual growth.
While our MTS Apprenticeship is designed to raise up future gospel workers, our Ministry Internship is aimed at helping young adults be discipled in the gospel and equipped to serve faithfully wherever God leads them—whether that’s in church, study, work, or everyday life.
By the end of your Ministry Internship, our hope and prayer is that you will have:
- Grown in conviction, character, and competence as a disciple of Jesus
- Been stretched in your faith and service
- Formed strong relationships with Christian mentors and peers
- A deeper foundation for wherever God calls you next.
This isn’t about pushing you toward ministry as a career. It’s about giving you space and guidance to go deeper with God so you can shape your life and future around Jesus.
The Ministry Internship is a discipleship and ministry program that helps you grow in your faith, build confidence serving in His church, and prepare for you for a lifetime of following Jesus.
Who should I do a Ministry Intership?
The is ideal for:
- School leavers considering how to put Jesus first in adult life
- Young adults exploring future ministry or service and able to commit to 6–12 months.
- Anyone aged 18–23 wanting to be deeply discipled and serve the church
International applicants are welcome. We have strong relationships with churches in London and have hosted young adults from overseas congregations in the past.
Please complete an expression of interest form to begin the conversation.
What does a Ministry Internship look like?
Ministry Interns will spend five days per week involved in ministry, community life, and training, including:
- Practical ministry experience across various areas (kids, youth, music, hospitality, etc)
- One-to-one mentorship with a mature gospel leader
- Participation in Vine Church’s Connect and Care ministry
- Weekly structured training and tailored discipleship curriculum, designed to grow your conviction, character, and competence.
- Conferences or events to learn and connect with others
What support is available to Ministry Interns?
All full-time Ministry Interns receive a $15,000 bursary to help cover living costs. For those relocating to Sydney and living away from home, an additional $10,000 housing allowance is available to help cover accommodation expenses.
Mentees are expected to raise 50% of their bursary through support from friends and family, building gospel partnerships in prayer and giving.
Limited billeted accommodation is available with Vine Church families for those from outside Sydney. Board is arranged and paid directly to hosts. Where billets are unavailable, we’ll assist mentees in exploring local rental options.
Past Ministry Interns
Is a Ministry Internship for you?
If you’re taking a gap year and want to spend it doing something meaningful—growing in your faith, serving others, and investing in what matters most—a Ministry Internship could be a great fit. It’s for young people who love Jesus and want to deepen their understanding of God, build lasting friendships, and play a part in what he’s doing through the local church.
Here’s a few questions to ask yourself!
- Are you looking to grow in your relationship with Jesus?
- Do you want to serve in a healthy, vibrant church community?
- Would you value being mentored, stretched, and trained in ministry?
- Are you keen to use this year to grow in maturity, faith, and love for others?
If so, a Ministry Internship might be a great next step.
- Grow in confidence and competency in ministry skills.
- Be mentored by godly leaders who want to see you deepen your love for Jesus and prepare for a lifetime of following Him.
Keen to find out more?
Fill out the Expression of Interest Form and we’ll be in touch to organise a time to chat about whether the Ministry Internship is the right next step for you.
Step into a year that will stretch your faith, grow your character, and change your life.
The Ministry Internship at Vine Church involves training through practical ministry experience alongside one to one discipleship from a gospel mentor. There are six components to this mentorship:
1. Practical Ministry Experience
On your Ministry Internship you will get the opportunity to serve in significant ways within a variety of ministry teams. This may involve being part of the team or leading the team yourself. The particular ministry opportunities available depend on your unique gifts and interests, but a number of possible opportunities include:
- Discipling kids or youth on Sunday mornings at Vine Kids or Vine Youth.
- Leading or serving at the Jungle afternoon kids club.
- Leading or serving at Friday night Vine Youth.
- Teaching scripture in local schools.
- Reading the Bible with evangelistic contacts.
- Leading people through Christianity Explored and the Followup Course.
- Coordinating the Bread of Life team, and providing hope for those in need.
- Running outreach events such as Mardi Gras Outreach, Summer Mission, Christmas Festival, Outreach Sundays etc.
- Serving on the Connect and Care Team which seeks to connect with new people at church and care for those who are doing it tough.
- Leading people through Onboard and getting them established in a Community Group and serving in a Ministry Team.
- Leading or serving in the Hosting or Foodies Team on Sundays.
- Running events which bring people together including Newcomers Nights, Weekend Away, Man Camp, Girl’s Getaway, Socials etc.
- Conducting pastoral visits to people in hospital.
- Planning Sunday gatherings.
- Leading Sunday services.
- Leading bands and musicians.
- Leading AV and production teams.
- Coordinating and promoting prayer through Prayer & Praise Nights and other opportunities.
- Writing and distributing Bible reading and prayer resources which help people in their time with God.
- Meeting one to one with people you are discipling for prayer, Bible reading and encouragement.
- Leading a Community Group.
- Coaching Community Group leaders.
- Teaching Preliminary Theological Certificate courses.
- Coordinating Faith & Work events.
- Running a bookstall and encouraging people to read.
- Preparing and giving a Bible talk.
- Building a culture of joyful service at Vine Church.
- Recruiting volunteers and helping them find opportunities to use their gifts to build the church.
- Training Ministry Team Leaders to be more effective in leading their teams.
2. Participation on the congregational Connect and Care team
You will be involved your your congregation’s (9.15am, 11.15am, 4.30pm) weekly Connect and Care meeting at which you will join the pastoral staff in shepherding those in their congregation. You will play an integral role in pastoral ministry and experience the joys (and sorrows) of how people respond to God.
3. Relationship with a gospel mentor
Be discipled by our godly mentors who will walk alongside you, helping you grow in your knowledge of God, your love for His people, and your understanding of yourself.
4. Training curriculum
One of the joys of the Ministry Internship is the opportunity to train alongside our MTS Apprentices and Student Ministers. You will receive regular training in theology, ministry, and leadership. This year is about equipping you for a lifetime of following Jesus by developing practical ministry skills and a heart for service, in these three key areas:
- Bible Study
- Thinking Theologically
- Prayer and Godliness
- Relationships in Ministry
- Evangelism and World Mission
- Teaching the Bible
- Training Others in Ministry
- Leadership
5. Conferences
Depending on the timing of your internship, you will join the rest of the staff team at conferences which they attend together throughout the year, including Reach Australia, Nexus, and Priscilla and Aquila.
6. Reading List
Part of the program is to spend time reading the following books which will build your theological, leadership and ministry convictions.
Term One
Term Two
Term Three
Term Four
A Typical Week
Gospel ministry is by nature flexible. The opportunities for ministry and mission are numerous and gospel workers build their week around these opportunities. As a result there is no typical week for interns. Each intern will have a week that looks different because their ministry will be different. Nevertheless, here is our attempt to give you a picture of what it could look like.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. — Philippians 1:9-11
Interested in applying for a Ministry Internship?
If you’re hungry to grow, keen to be discipled, and open to whatever God has in store, the Ministry Intern could be for you.
We’d love to help you explore whether it’s the right next step. Please complete the Expression of Interest form below to start the conversation.
Ministry Intern Partnership
Help a young person give a year to grow in faith, serve the church, and be trained for gospel ministry. Your support—through prayer or giving—makes their year possible and multiplies their impact.
Alternatively, please set up bank transfer for a single or recurring gift.
Vine Church
BSB 633 000
ACC 229 932 77
Bendigo Bank | Swift Code – BENDAU3B
200 Albion Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Other Ministry Training Opportunities
Ministry Apprentice
a.k.a MTS Trainee
A two year, hands-on, full-time MTS apprenticeship, giving you the opportunity to grow as a minister to others in the context of a local church.
Ministry Fellow
a.k.a Volunteer Leadership Development
A leadership development fellowship, providing you with hands on practical leadership opportunities with a staff-mentor and training.
Ministry Student
a.k.a Student Minister
For those studying at theological college wishing to be trained in leadership and church ministry in an urban environment.
