Open Door Ministries - Intern FAQ Sheet

How do I become an ODM intern?

Mandy Burgund is your main contact person throughout the application process.  Mandy can be reached at 303-830-2201 x5 or mburgund@odmdenver.org.  E-mail is the preferred method of communication.  To become an intern, fill out the application for internship and send it to Mandy.  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 month of receiving your application.  We will also let you know who your Denver supervisor will be so you can begin communicating with them.

Who runs the intern program?

The intern program is run by Michelle Warren.  She can be reached at 720-472-0871 (cell) or mwarren@odmdenver.org.  Michelle can contact your advisor to help work out details if you are doing this internship for credit.

What are some of the intern program expectations?

All the interns meet once a week as a group for debriefing and prayer.  This will be set up as we know your weekly schedules more.  You will be expected to attend one of the services of Open Door Fellowship on Sundays (8:30am, 11:00am, or 4:30pm).  There will be general intern service projects in addition to your normal duties with your specific ministry.  At the end, we ask that you fill out a short exit survey.

When does the internship start and how long do interns stay?

All interns need to arrive in Denver on or before Friday, May 21st unless specifically approved by the intern coordinator.  Please do not plan to come more than a week in advance of that date.  Typically, an internship is between 8 and 12 weeks long although we are flexible on that.  However, it takes about 6 weeks to learn the ministry and start being productive.

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.

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 insurance & expenses, etc.

How much support can I raise?

For full time work, 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?

In most cases, interns will be provided free housing and utilities.  Our space is limited so this is not a guarantee.  Some of you may stay in one of the ODM homes on Marion St.  You probably will share a bedroom.  You will not need to bring any furniture.  If you already have housing in the Denver area, you do not have to stay in the ODM housing, but please let us know for our planning purposes.

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.

Main - 303-830-2201, www.odmdenver.org
Mandy Burgund (Executive Assistant) – 303-830-2201 x5, mburgund@odmdenver.org
Michelle Warren (Intern Coordinator) – 720-472-0871, mwarren@odmdenver.org
Carol Delcamp (Administrative Assistant – 303-830-2201 x1, odadmin@4dv.net
Kim Sierra (Business Administrator) – 303-830-2201 x2, kjsierra@qwest.net
David Warren (Executive Director) – 303-830-2201 x3, dwarren@odmdenver.org

How can I prepare myself for this internship?

• There are several books that we would recommend: Theirs is the Kingdom by Bob Lupton, Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, From Oppression to Jubilee Justice by Lowell Noble, and With Justice for All by John Perkins.
• Do a study of what the Bible says about poverty, compassion ministry, and issues of social justice.
• It would also be helpful to visit ODM before you come if at all possible although this is not mandatory. This would give you a chance to meet your supervisor, see the housing accommodations, familiarize yourself with the neighborhood, meet some of the ministry participants, etc.
• Familiarize yourself with the ODM website – www.odmdenver.org
• After your arrival, there will be a formal internship orientation.

Suggested list of items to bring with you.

• Bible, journal, books, money, picture ID, computer (ODM has wireless internet), clothing, toiletries, flashlight, cell phone, day planner, alarm clock, towels, hiking boots, warm clothes for mountains (if you plan to go camping, hiking, etc.)
• You do not need to bring furniture, sleeping bag, pillow, or bedding unless otherwise specified
• Car is optional, parking is limited

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 as well.

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 summer, 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 summer.
• 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 finished. If desired, you could send another in the middle to give an update or to let people know that your support is still short. 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.  Under the normal schedule, your first pay check will come at the end of May, the second at the end of June, and the final at the end of July.  This means that you will need to bring enough money with you to cover your expenses until you get your paycheck at the end of May.

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. They can be reimbursed within a couple of days usually.

Sample support letter.

Name mailing address, phone number, e-mail address

April 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

I wanted to write to let you know about an exciting opportunity that I have this summer.  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 summer I have the opportunity to work full time among the poor in Denver. 

            Open Door Ministries has 13 ministry programs.  Some of them include transitional housing programs for women, ministry to the disabled, a Christian child care center, several outreaches to youth, and much more.  Specifically, I’ll be working with the Esther House, which is a ministry to women coming out of prostitution.  Esther House provides housing for the women as they come off the street or out of jail.  Many of the women struggle with drug addictions and have come out of very difficult family situations.  I will be helping the staff run the home which will give me opportunities to lead volunteers, directly evangelize and disciple women, and learn about ministry in the inner city. 

I will be working full time with Open Door from May 20th to August 20th.  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 $3750 for the summer.  This will help me pay for basic expenses while in Denver but will also provide some funds to help pay for my senior year of college.  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 summer.  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 this summer.

                                                                                    In Christ,

                                                                                    Name