Internships FAQ

For part-time interns, our applicants are college students who want vocational skill training in a ministry setting; part-time interns do not necessarily need to feel called to vocational ministry, but will be gaining skill training in a ministry setting. Full-time interns are typically individuals that have recently graduated with their college or seminary degree, have some ministry experience or work on a church staff, have demonstrated a potential for leadership, and are seeking to become a ministry leader or church planter. You must be over 18 years old to intern at Saddleback Church.

Full-time interns: We require that all applicants have a college degree and some prior ministry experience. We are looking for individuals who have been called to ministry leadership or planting a church. However, if you feel you have a unique situation, let’s discuss it!

Part-time interns: We require that applicants be currently enrolled in college or university or be a recent graduate (graduated within the last five years).

Saddleback Church will help full-time, year-long interns with housing arrangements with a host home for the duration of the program.

Unfortunately, Saddleback does not provide housing for part-time/seasonal interns.

If you have children or are married, we are unable to provide housing.

You will be supervised by two primary people: the Lead Intern Coordinator and the intern supervisor of the team you choose to serve on.

Part-time interns may be able to work part-time hours while they intern. However, full-time and church planting interns may not, as these are full-time leadership development programs. The many things offered to you (mentoring, coaching, skill training, strategic thinking, collaborative learning, etc.) that will help shape and prepare you for ministry will require a 40-50 hour work week, which would make it unmanageable for you to take on a part-time job. We want you to have the energy, time, and focus to make the most out of your internship as well as balance the other priorities in your life.

Yes! Our internships are geared toward current college students, recent graduates, or grad students. We would love to work with you to accommodate your school schedule as you intern. For full-time interns, we offer academic partnerships with the following schools: Rockbridge Seminary, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and Vanguard University. Saddleback interns are able to receive school credit through their internship at Saddleback.

Full-time internships tracks begin each September, January, and May, with exceptions.

Part-time internships tracks occur each: Summer (May-August), Fall (September-December), and Spring (January –April), with exceptions—we work hard to accommodate students’ school schedules.

• Submit application
• Interview with Lead Intern Coordinator
• References checked
• Interview with team that you’re interested in serving with
• Theological Interview with Saddleback pastor
• For Church Planting Interns, there is an additional application process with NAMB

Saddleback does not offer benefits to interns. We will ask for proof of health and auto insurance before your internship starts.

No. We strongly believe that if God has called you to this program, He will provide the way for you. Interns are fully responsible to raise their own support during the program. One of the prerequisites to leadership is being able to cast a vision and have others support it.

Yes. Your spouse will need to complete a Spouse Reference Form and have a Theological interview with a pastor as part of the application process.

You are still eligible for the program.

We are one church with many locations! Our central campus is located in Lake Forest, California, a suburb of South Orange County. Our regional campuses are in Anaheim, San Clemente, Rancho Capistrano, Irvine, Corona, Laguna Woods, and Huntington Beach. All campuses are in Orange County, between Los Angeles and San Diego.

Yes. Saddleback Church is one church in many locations. Participants could be assigned to various campuses throughout Southern California and work differing schedules based on each ministry's unique needs. Each participant is responsible for providing for his or her own transportation. A car is a requirement.

Yes. Each participant is required to have a laptop computer to use during the duration of the program.

Saddleback Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention.

There is NO guarantee of employment at Saddleback or outside of Saddleback after your program.

We require that all of our participants pass a theological interview given by one of our pastors. Beyond the basic Christian beliefs, you will not have to hold the same denominational values as the Southern Baptist Convention, but we ask that you will respectfully comply with these denominational values during your internship with us.

Saddleback has outlined standards for living above reproach for all Saddleback staff. Program participants will be held to the same standards. We are required to sign a covenant including the following commitments:

• Commit to refrain from activities that could cause a new believer to stumble such as: abusing prescription drugs, consuming alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs; or engaging in gambling of any type
• Commit to sexual purity, and commit only to dating another believer (if single).
• Commit to living above reproach: this includes completely avoiding situations that may lead to temptation or may appear compromising.

Some examples that the staff has outlined are outlined here:

• Ride alone with a married person of the opposite sex.
• Go to lunch alone with a married person of the opposite sex.
• Kiss or show questionable affection with a married person of the opposite sex.
• Visit anyone of the opposite sex alone at home.
• Counsel the opposite sex alone.
• Discuss marriage or sexual problems with the opposite sex.
• Have a member of the opposite sex spend the night. Excluding family members of the opposite sex.

Due to uncontrollable variables, sometimes the application process can take some time. You are not guaranteed a start date. If the process isn't complete by the starting month you applied for, you will be given the option of deferring to the next starting period, or withdrawing from the process.

If you decide to visit Saddleback Church, you are responsible for the cost of your visit, whether or not we accept you into the program. We would encourage you to fly into John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA), because LAX is more than an hour away. Other near-by airports include Ontario and Long Beach.

If you are an international student studying at an American educational institution with a student visa, you are eligible for an internship at Saddleback Church. Pairing grad school or a seminary education along with an internship will provide you a rich learning experience.