Internship Developer 

Children's Relief International (CRI) seeks a visionary and experienced leader to develop and direct a comprehensive Internship and Missionary Onramp Program that serves as a spiritual and missional gateway for college students and emerging leaders.

This role is central to CRI’s long-term strategy of cultivating the next generation of kingdom-minded leaders—those who understand the integration of Word and Deed, where gospel proclamation is inseparable from acts of compassion and justice among the poor.

The Internship Developer & Missionary Onramp Leader will design, launch, and scale a multi-faceted program that combines U.S.-based discipleship and ministry work with immersive field experiences in CRI’s global partnerships (Malawi, Dominican Republic, Mozambique, Mexico, and beyond). Interns will grow in vocational clarity, spiritual maturity, cross-cultural understanding, and practical ministry experience—equipping them for lifelong impact as missionaries, staff, or advocates for global missions.

This position requires a leader with a deep passion for mentoring young adults, a proven ability to design and execute programs, and strong experience in cross-cultural ministry and team leadership.

The Opportunity

CRI’s mission is expanding. We are placing missionaries in Malawi and the Dominican Republic, growing our work across four continents, and building new ministry partnerships that need well-prepared, spiritually mature workers.

This role is a key part of that vision—creating a pipeline for future missionaries and staff, while also giving college students and gap-year participants meaningful opportunities to experience missions, serve the poor, and deepen their faith.

The Internship Developer & Missionary Onramp Leader will bridge the next generation of workers to the field, ensuring they are equipped theologically, spiritually, and practically to share the light of Christ in both Word and deed.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design and Launch a Robust Internship Program

• Develop and implement CRI’s global internship structure, integrating Home Office and field experiences.

• Create clear pathways from inquiry → training → internship placement → post-internship engagement.

• Establish yearly internship cycles aligned with college calendars (summer, fall, spring).

• Build internship tracks (Storytelling, Sponsorship, Word & Deed Teams, Administration, etc.)
  

2. Strengthen Missionary Onramp and Leadership Development

• Oversee CRI’s Missionary Onramp process, helping new missionaries discern calling, complete support-raising, and prepare for cross-cultural life.

• Partner with the Big 8 Missionary Preparation Program to ensure interns and candidates are spiritually and practically equipped.

• Help develop mentoring, reflection, and coaching systems for interns and missionaries in training.
  

3. Recruit and Cultivate Emerging Leaders

• Build relationships with Christian universities, colleges, and campus ministries to recruit qualified interns.

• Develop CRI’s presence at missions fairs, college events, and church networks.

• Maintain an ongoing recruitment pipeline through digital and relational outreach.
  

4. Coordinate Field and Home Office Placements

• Work closely with CRI’s global partners (Malawi, Mozambique, Dominican Republic, Mexico) to design and supervise field internship experiences.

• Serve as primary liaison between interns, CRI’s departments, and field leaders.

• Ensure internship activities reflect CRI’s CARE outcomes and Ascend prayer practices.

5. Lead with Vision, Mentorship, and Spiritual Care

• Mentor and disciple interns through regular meetings, devotionals, and service opportunities.

• Facilitate debrief and re-entry processes post-internship.

• Build a leadership team of former interns and volunteers to multiply impact.

Program Outcomes & Alignment (CRI’s C.A.R.E. Framework)

This role directly advances CRI’s four organizational outcomes:

Care – Provide meaningful opportunities for young adults to serve the poor in tangible, gospel-centered ways, meeting both physical and spiritual needs.

Awaken – Awaken faith, compassion, and generosity in the next generation by creating immersive experiences that connect them to the global church.

Raise – Equip interns and missionaries-in-training with theological depth, cross-cultural skill, and practical ministry experience for long-term service.

Enable – Build systems, training, and partnerships that enable a sustained pipeline of future missionaries and CRI staff.

Spiritual Life & Formation

• Model and lead interns in CRI’s Ascend Prayer rhythm.

• Incorporate formation resources like The Hero’s Handbook, Burning Splendor, and Three Mile an Hour God into internship discipleship.

• Facilitate spiritual reflection, prayer retreats, and communal rhythms of Word and Deed service.

• Embody CRI’s core values of humility, gratitude, hospitality, and prayerful dependence on Christ.

• Agree with CRI’s Statement of Faith.
  

Qualifications & Characteristics

• Mature Christian faith and wholehearted alignment with CRI’s mission and Statement of Faith.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or theological training preferred.

• Proven experience in program development, education, or ministry leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and disciple young adults.

• Cross-cultural missions experience strongly preferred.

• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Strong initiative, creativity, and ability to work collaboratively.

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally several times per year.

• Comfortable working with college leaders, churches, and international partners.
  

Training & Onboarding

• Participate in CRI’s On-Ramp Training and Big 8 Missionary Preparation Program.

• Attend quarterly Home Office planning and strategy meetings.

• Receive ongoing coaching, accountability, and spiritual formation through CRI leadership.

Reporting & Collaboration

Reports to: Home Office Director and Executive Leadership
Collaborates with: Word & Deed Department, Partnership Coordinators, Storytelling Team

Success Indicators

• Launch and maintain a thriving internship program with measurable growth in participation.

• Develop a pipeline of future missionaries and CRI staff emerging from the internship program.

• Positive feedback from interns, field partners, and staff on training quality and impact.

• Consistent integration of CRI’s CARE outcomes and Ascend prayer practices in all programs.

• Strong relationships built with universities, churches, and sending partners.

Ministry Environment & Support

• Serve as part of CRI’s Home Office team, with collaboration across departments and global partners.

• Flexibility for remote work, travel, and field visits.

• If serving as a missionary staff position, raise personal support through churches, friends, and family—CRI provides support-raising training and coaching.

Our Mission:
Children’s Relief International’s mission is to share the light of Christ among the poor of our time in Word and deed.

Our Vision:
To identify, train, and send a new generation of leaders who embody the gospel through both Word and Deed—bringing Christ’s transforming light to communities around the world.