Words from a CBM Intern

Written by Staciajohna Randle

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:15-18

When I first started the CBM Internship, I started to understand in depth what Christianity really was. I grew up in a Baptist church and I knew the surface of Christianity. I had the popular verses memorized, could share a basic description of the gospel, and knew the Bible on a basic level. The internship pushed me to dig deeper. I was on the surface of the iceberg and I had no idea that there was so much more underneath. So much of me had to be broken down for God to be able to add so much more to me. I had to be open to new ideas and let others help me. 

The Bible, for me, was something I would open when I felt like it. I never truly read it–only certain verses or something that the pastor referenced. During the classes I took while being a part of the internship showed me so much more about the Bible than I ever knew. We had both a New and Old Testament class that went through each book briefly. I began to understand not only the contents of the Bible but also how to read it. So, I made a personal goal with myself to read the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I was so amazed with myself as I was reading it and how God was watching me. What I mean by that is that I would be at church and we would talk about the same parable that I was reading at the time. It’s just so incredible the way that He connected everything. After I was able to finish the Gospels, I started memorizing long verses and continued reading on. All of this prepared me to speak to young kids who had questions and situations they needed answers to. I was able to share those verses and Bible lessons that I had studied.

Meeting new people was the hardest thing for me. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of having to go around staying with strangers and getting to know them. On the surface I am really loud and seem like I love people but the outside didn’t reflect the inside. On the inside I was overwhelmed and just wanted to leave. I have a lot of social anxiety, but I made myself step out of the comfort zone. There were still times during the internship where I just skipped out on an outing but, most of the time, I went, which was really hard for me. The staff of CBM made me feel like I was a part of a family which helped me to open up. I met a lot of great staff members who have such strong faith and were great role models to me. Many of them shared their testimony and just had so much passion for Christ. These people influenced me in such positive ways just by being so Christ-like. 

Lastly, the internship gave me a better understanding of my future. Everything I do is for Christ; my life is His and I would gladly give it to Him.  I have learned that in the ministry world there is not always comfort. Some things are going to be difficult and people might not accept it. God has given me a calling and I have tried very hard to ignore it. He makes sure I see it as clear as day. I’m letting go of all my emotions about it and accepting it. I still need more training, but I am going to share the gospel with immigrants in America and, once I get all the training I need, I plan to go to the Middle East. I know for a fact God is calling me to do this and, if I’m being honest, I am scared. I know that God is with me and I’m going to need all your prayers. I came into this internship with a mindset on working with children in camps and I’m coming out of it with the intention to work with immigrants and in the Middle East. 

“Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Staciajohna just graduated from the CBM Internship program, which exists to encourage young people to experience missions! To learn more about the CBM Internship program click www.childrensbibleministries.net/internships.

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