Open Door Ministries - Intern FAQ Sheet

Who runs the intern program?

The intern program is run by Michelle Warren. She can be reached at 720-934-2537 (cell) or warrenhub@aol.com. Also, Michelle can contact your advisor to help work out details if you are doing this internship for credit.

How do I become an ODM intern?

Fill out the application for internship. We will notify you that we have received it. We will then check references and talk with you to determine which area of the ministry is the best fit. In most cases, we will let you know if you are approved or not within a couple weeks of receiving your application. We will also let you know who your Denver supervisor will be so you can begin communicating with them.

How long do interns stay?

Internships are between 2 months and 1 year. However, the longer you stay, the more you will get out of it and the more productive you will be. We need to know your start date and ending date for our planning purposes.

How many hours per week will I be working?

Unless otherwise specified, your internship will be a full time job. You can plan to work about 40 hours per week. You will get time off like on a normal job.

Can I take a vacation or go away for the weekend?

Yes, as long as the timing works with your particular ministry. All vacations should be approved by your Denver supervisor. It is likely that it will not be a problem at all.

Can I receive credit for my internship?

In many cases, you can receive credit for this internship. We will do our best to work with the requirements of your school to make this possible. Please let us know in writing what we need to do to help you.

Does this have to be an official school internship?

No, many interns simply come for the ministry experience, and you do not have to be a student.

Do I have to raise support?

No, you will need some money for expenses; however, many interns have come in the past without raising support.

What expenses will I need to pay for?

Typically, interns will need to pay for their own food, gas, bus passes, car insurance, entertainment, health expenses, etc.

How much support can I raise?

Interns can raise $1250 per month plus travel expenses to and from Denver from home. These funds can be used for your expenses in Denver, your school expenses, or any other expenses you have. It is your salary.

Will I have to pay taxes on this income?

You will receive a W-2 at the end of the year for this income. It will be treated like any other income you receive throughout the year.

How does housing work?

Interns will be provided free housing and utilities. Some of you will stay in one of the ODM homes on Marion St. We may house some of you in another location. You may need to share a bedroom. You will not need to bring any furniture.

Will I need my own transportation?

You are allowed to bring your own vehicle and it may be helpful for a variety of reasons; however, it is not a necessity. Denver has a fairly good bus and light rail system. You can obtain a bus pass for that once you are in Denver if desired.

Does ODM charge interns to come?

No, there are no fees to come.

What is the ODM mailing address?

Open Door Ministries, PO Box 18018, Denver, CO 80218.

What is the ODM physical address?

1530 Marion St., Denver, CO 80218.

Phone number, website, e-mail.

303-830-2201, www.odmdenver.org, dwarren@odmdenver.org

Support checks and response forms.

Support checks should be made out to Open Door Ministries and sent to the ODM mailing address. Nothing should be written on the “memo” line of the check. Instead, each check should be sent in with a response form which designates where the check will go. Each intern who is raising support will have his own response form. We will make them for you. Please contact Carol Delcamp about this. She is our administrative assistant. Her number is 303-830-2201 x1. Response forms give your supporters the option of giving by check, credit card, or automatic bank withdrawal. You should include a self addressed envelope with each response form and letter you send out. It should be addressed to the ODM mailing address. We can provide these envelopes for you.

What should my support letter say?

I have included a sample support letter at the bottom of this FAQ sheet. Your support letter should include the following elements in most cases:
· A little history on you to tell people where you are in life.
· What God is currently doing in your life.
· Why you feel led to come to ODM.
· What you will be doing at ODM. What ministry, what age group, which activities will you be carrying out, what your goals are for the internship period, what skills you will be learning, whether you are full or part time, etc. Be as specific as possible.
· When you will be at ODM. Specific dates are helpful.
· How much support you are trying to raise. (It’s always good to mention that you have been approved to raise this much.)
· Specifically, what do they need to do to give to you.
· Ask them to pray for you, and give prayer requests.
· Mention that you will write a follow up letter, and then do that at the end of the internship period.
· Include pictures if possible. We can supply you with some pictures before you come. You may also want to include a picture of yourself.

Who should I send my support letter to?

Almost anyone who you think would be interested in your ministry would be a candidate: pastors, church leaders, missions committees, church members, relatives, friends of your parents who know you, your own friends, professors, mentors, other churches that know you, etc.

How many support letters should I write?

I would recommend one before you come to initially raise the support and then one to thank people when you are finished. During the internship period, I would recommend sending quarterly updates. E-mail is also a good way to communicate with supporters throughout your time in Denver.

How will I be paid?

You will be paid once a month at the end of each month. This means that you will need to bring enough money with you to cover your first month’s expenses.

How will my travel expenses be reimbursed?

You will need to save your receipts and turn them in to Kim Sierra, our business administrator. She can be reached at 303-830-2201 x2.

Sample support letter.

David Warren 660 S. Decatur St., Denver, CO 80219 303-934-2530 dwarren@odmdenver.org

October 1, 2007

Dear Friends,

I wanted to write to let you know about an exciting opportunity that I have for the next year. I will be working with Open Door Ministries, an inner city ministry in Denver, CO. I am finishing my junior year at ABC University. While I’ve been here, God has been using my Social Work major to teach me how I can have compassion for the poor. I’ve been able to visit youth at the local detention center which has opened my eyes to the needs of at risk kids. I’ve also been involved with several ministries that feed and care for the homeless on a regular basis. This year (before my senior year of college), I have the opportunity to work full time among the poor in Denver.

Open Door Ministries has 14 ministry programs. Some of them include transitional housing programs for women, ministry to the disabled, a Christian child care center, several outreaches to youth, a resource center, and much more. Specifically, I’ll be working with Prodigal Gatherings, which is a ministry to at risk kids ages 5-21. Prodigal has two major areas. The Club House works with elementary kids and the Coffee House works with teens. Almost all of these youth come from single parent, impoverished homes. I will be helping the staff run these programs which will give me opportunities to recruit and lead volunteers, directly evangelize and disciple students, lead a GED class, and build relationships with the parents.

I will be working full time with Open Door from June 1, 2007 – May. 31, 2008. Because Open Door Ministries is an inner city ministry, many of their staff raise their own support. They have asked me to raise my support as well. I have been approved to raise $1250/per month for this year. This will help me pay for basic expenses while in Denver but will also provide some funds to help pay for my future college expenses. I am praying that God will raise up a team of prayer partners and financial partners to serve God with me in Denver. Please prayerfully consider being a part of my support team. I am confident that God is able to meet all my needs.

I have enclosed a response card and envelope with this letter. Please make checks payable to Open Door Ministries and return with the card. Your gift is tax deductible, and you will receive a receipt.

In addition to financial support, I need your prayer support for me to be effective this year. Pray for safety, pray for wisdom to know how to meet the needs of the youth, and pray for God to change lives through me and to change me as well as I continue to learn about ministry to the poor.

The above address is where I will be staying while I am in Denver. I’d love to stay in contact with you and have you come for a visit. I’ll be in touch with updates on how God is using me in Denver.

In Christ,

David Warren