FAQ

The 3E Internship is a 12-month Christ-centered gap year rooted in Equip, Empower, and Extend. It blends spiritual formation, leadership development, missional service, travel, and community life. It is based at Youth Farm Bible Camp in Saskatchewan and includes national and international ministry experiences.

The internship is for young adults (ages 18–25) in one of three stages: those finishing high school, Bible college graduates wanting practical experience, or individuals in a season of pause seeking clarity and growth before their next step.

Equip, Empower, and Extend. These three words reflect the program’s core focus: to equip interns in faith and character, empower them to lead with humility, and extend Christ’s love through mission and service.

3E is built on a unique blend of Anabaptist formation, practical ministry, and cross-cultural experiences. Interns don’t just study or serve, they live the rhythm of discipleship through work, worship, wilderness, and relationship. It’s not a break from life, but a deeply integrated year of transformation.

The program begins in late August and ends the following August, concluding with a full summer of leadership at camp and a final graduation

Yes, the internship is full-time. The schedule includes work, travel, study, worship, and reflection throughout the week and across seasons. Because of its immersive nature, outside work or courses are not recommended during the program

Interns grow through a structured rhythm of spiritual practices including personal devotions, worship gatherings, journaling, reflective retreats, group discussions, and one-on-one spiritual direction. The focus is not only on knowledge but on cultivating a Christ-centered life that integrates faith into daily work, relationships, and decision-making.

Spiritual direction is a weekly, one-hour meeting with a trained director who helps interns discern God's presence and movement in their lives. It's not counseling or coaching, but space to grow in awareness of God’s voice, fostering deeper intimacy with Christ.

It means our formation is shaped by a Christ-centered, community-oriented, peaceable approach to faith. We emphasize discipleship rooted in love for God and neighbor, humble service, shared life, and yielding to both God and one another. It reflects values like nonviolence, simplicity, mutual accountability, and a lived-out gospel.

We present the gospel as the invitation to follow Jesus as King, surrendering to His love, grace, and lordship. We emphasize that salvation is not just a moment, but a lifelong journey of trust, obedience, and transformation. Faith is both personal and communal, rooted in repentance and formed through relationship with Christ.

Yes. Scripture is foundational to all we do. We believe the Bible is inspired, trustworthy, and authoritative for faith and life. Interns engage Scripture through classes, personal reading, group reflections, and prayerful meditation, seeking not just information but transformation.

We believe the Holy Spirit is fully God, active and present. The Spirit convicts, empowers, and comforts. We are open to the gifts and movement of the Spirit, but we seek His presence without hype, honoring both mystery and scripture discernment in how we worship and walk with God.

Our guiding values are: Sacrifice: Laying down our own will to follow Christ. Seek: Pursuing deeper communion with God. Share: Living generously with time, gifts, and presence. Serve: Humbly giving ourselves for the good of others. These are lived out through work, worship, and community.

No. We welcome interns from a wide range of Christian backgrounds. Agreement on every doctrinal detail is not required: openness to Jesus, His way of life, and a willingness to grow in community is.

We believe salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, received by repentance and surrender. Baptism is for those who choose to follow Jesus and want to publicly declare their faith. We believe in eternal life with God for those who trust in Christ, and eternal separation for those who reject Him.

We believe marriage is a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. Families are a gift from God and a foundation for discipleship and community. We also walk with compassion and truth alongside individuals in complex or painful family situations, always pointing toward reconciliation and hope in Christ.

The weekly rhythm shifts with the season. During the fall and summer, days are more physically active with public events and camp leadership. In winter and spring, the focus shifts to spiritual practices, learning, and reflection. Generally, weekdays include morning meetings (worship, prayer, short teaching), morning classes or reading, afternoon work, and evening classes a couple of times per week. Each season is thoughtfully designed to balance spiritual growth, community life, hands-on ministry, and rest.

Interns participate in a wide range of activities including: Corn Maze ministry in the fall Two wilderness canoe trips Three international mission trips Bible classes (Old and New Testament) Spanish language classes Reading and book discussions Spiritual retreats and conferences Camp ministry in the summer Each season carries its own focus, all contributing to spiritual and personal formation.

Yes. Interns receive regular days off throughout the year. During the fall Corn Maze season, days off are typically Mondays and Tuesdays (with some exceptions for holidays). Outside of the fall, interns usually have Saturdays and Sundays off. The year also includes scheduled breaks, including Christmas holidays and rest days between major trips.

Interns live, work, and worship together, forming a shared life of mutual encouragement, accountability, and growth. Meals, chores, prayer, and recreation are shared regularly. Community life is a core part of the formation process, beautiful, stretching, and deeply shaping.

A committed team of leaders: mentors, instructors, spiritual directors and coordinators, walk alongside interns. Daily guidance, structured feedback, and open conversations help create a safe and accountable environment.

Interns participate in meaningful, hands-on work that changes with the seasons. This includes: Serving guests during the Corn Maze season: welcoming school groups and families, helping with activities, food services, and hospitality. Supporting daily camp operations: cleaning, meal prep, basic maintenance, and caring for animals on the farm. Being on a farm means interns help tend to livestock and support outdoor tasks as needed. International missions: participating in construction projects, children's ministry, and community outreach in places like Nicaragua and Mexico. Summer camp leadership: guiding campers (kids, teens and Adults with disabilities) through cabin life, devotions, games, and spiritual conversations.

Yes. Interns are deeply supported through a network of leaders who provide guidance in spiritual direction, teaching, and everyday life. Mentorship is relational and ongoing: interns are known, encouraged, and walked with through both challenges and growth. In addition, local interns are strongly encouraged to remain connected and actively involved in their home church communities. For interns from outside the area, we recommend attending one of the local churches during the year to stay rooted in the broader Body of Christ.

The internship includes a variety of trips throughout the year, each with a distinct purpose: Two wilderness canoe trips (Fall and Spring) focused on spiritual retreat and team bonding An international formation trip in November (locations may include Israel, Greece, Spain, or Italy) A one-month mission trip to Nicaragua (February–March) Leadership conference in the U.S. (Exponential, March) A service trip to Mexico (April) to help build a home for a family in need Each trip is designed to stretch interns in faith, character, and cross-cultural understanding.

Trips are core components of the program. While accommodations can be considered for exceptional situations (e.g., health or family emergencies), full participation is expected, as each experience builds on the formation process.

A valid passport, up-to-date immunizations, and travel documentation if required. Interns also receive guidance on what to pack and how to prepare spiritually, culturally, and practically ahead of each trip.

Yes. All trips are led by experienced staff and local ministry partners. Safety is taken seriously, with careful planning, group oversight to ensure a responsible and meaningful experience.

Each trip is intentionally designed for spiritual growth, cultural learning, and missional service. They are not vacations, they are opportunities to encounter God in new contexts, serve with humility, and broaden one’s understanding of the global Church.

Interns do not pay tuition. Instead, they receive a monthly stipend and housing, and are responsible for raising funds to cover the cost of international trips and related ministry expenses.

Interns receive a $650/month stipend from September to June. During July and August, when they serve as summer staff, they are paid $100 per day.

Yes. Interns are provided with housing for the entire duration of the program.

Interns are responsible for raising $7,000, which covers: Nicaragua Trip: $5,000 (including travel, living costs, and ministry support) Mexico Trip: $1,500 Conferences and retreats: $500

Each intern selects one Fundraising Companion - a mentor, friend, pastor, or family member, who supports and walks with them specifically through the fundraising process. This person provides encouragement, accountability, prayer, and practical support. Their role is to help you stay grounded and faithful in this part of your journey.

Choose someone who: Believes in your calling Can check in regularly Encourages and prays with you Helps you stay organized and hopeful You’ll submit their name and brief confirmation by August 15, before the program begins.

Yes. The 3E Internship is recognized by both Horizon College and Seminary and Millar College of the Bible. These partnerships allow interns to receive academic credit for their year of formation, ministry, and study.

Horizon College offers 10 undergraduate transfer credits at no cost to interns who successfully complete the 3E Internship and then enroll at Horizon. These credits are applied toward foundational courses in leadership, mission, and spiritual formation.

Upon enrollment at Horizon, the following courses are credited: Foundations of Leadership (3 credits) Introduction to Spiritual Formation (3 credits) Introduction to Christian Mission (3 credits) Ministry Formation (1 credit)

Millar College may grant up to 4 elective credits to 3E graduates upon admission. Interns must provide a letter of recommendation confirming successful completion of the program.

No. Interns must still meet each school’s admission requirements. However, these partnerships recognize the 3E Internship as a valuable foundation for further study and support the transition into formal academic pathways.

Every intern’s journey looks different. Some go on to university or Bible college, others step into ministry, missions, or work. Many return to serve as camp staff or local leaders in their churches or communities.

Yes. Many interns return in future summers as senior staff at Youth Farm Bible Camp or stay connected through mentorship, volunteering, or community gatherings. We value ongoing relationship, not just a one-year experience.

3E is not a job placement program, but it works to prepare interns for leadership, ministry, work and vocational life through real-world experience, spiritual depth, and transferable skills. Interns are hope to leave with stronger character, clearer discernment, and a posture of service that often opens doors.

By grounding them in Christ. Through a year of formation, service, and community, interns become more resilient, self-aware, and mission-minded. Whether they go into education, trades, ministry, or missions, they leave knowing who they are, whose they are, and what it means to live a faithful life in the real world.

Interns are supported by a dedicated team of spiritual directors, mentors, instructors, and coordinators who walk with them throughout the year. Support is both structured and relational, with regular check-ins, spiritual direction, and shared community rhythms that encourage accountability, growth, and care.

Yes. We welcome conversation. If you have theological, logistical, or personal questions, you are encouraged to contact us directly at info@yfbc.ca or by phone at 306-232-5133. We want to walk in transparency and mutual understanding.

Each season has clearly defined leadership and oversight, and interns are guided through all aspects of work, travel, and formation. Whether on-site or on international trips, interns are always under the care of experienced, trusted leaders.

We understand that different families come from different denominational backgrounds. While the program is rooted in an Anabaptist perspective, we emphasize Christ-centered formation, biblical teaching, and unity in the essentials. If you have concerns, we invite respectful dialogue and are open to sharing more about how we approach spiritual growth and theological differences.

Yes. Local interns are encouraged to remain involved in their home church as much as possible. Interns from outside the area are supported in attending a local church during the year to remain rooted in worship and the broader Body of Christ.

Safety is taken seriously - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. All trips are led by experienced leaders, and protocols are in place for medical, logistical, and pastoral support. Interns are never sent overseas without proper supervision and preparation.

That is our hope and prayer. The internship is designed to offer opportunity for growth in maturity, responsibility, faith, and self-awareness. But formation is not automatic, it requires the intern’s personal investment. The more they engage with the process, the more they’ll be shaped by it. We can guide, support, and provide the environment, but each intern must choose to lean in. Those who do often leave with a clearer sense of identity, a deeper relationship with Christ, and a stronger foundation for what lies ahead.

Applications can be submitted online at www.3einternship.com/apply. The process includes a few written questions, a pastoral or character reference, and a follow-up conversation with our leadership team. It’s simple, relational, and helps us discern together if this is the right fit for you.

We accept applications on a rolling basis, but space is limited. Early applications are encouraged, especially to allow time for fundraising, trip planning, and personal preparation.

We have typically accept up to 6 interns per year. This allows for a close-knit community where each intern is known, supported, and guided personally throughout the journey.

Yes. You are welcome to schedule a visit or set up a Zoom call to learn more, ask questions, and meet some of the team. We want you to feel peace and clarity in your decision.

You can reach us any time by email at info@yfbc.ca or by phone at 306-232-5133. We’d love to connect with you.