• interns speak out about their summer EXPERIENCEs
  
  

• RACHEL:
  AAKP challenged my creativity, expanded my teaching techniques, and equipped me with a wealth of production knowledge that I could not gain elsewhere.

  I was able to walk into student teaching, then into job interviews, and finally into my first teaching position with a confidence that only experience can bring.
  
  More satisfying than all of this, however, were the smiles on small faces, the warm squeezes from tiny hands, and the pure, honest voices of children lifting in praise to our Savior. To participate in this child-like worship was stirring and humbling.
  

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  PHILLIP:
  LAMPLIGHT ARTISTS is in the business of opening eyes. I have witnessed so much throughout the course of my [internships].
  
  I have seen church staff members break down walls in their children's ministry.
  I have seen parents weighed down by despair encouraged as they watched their children grow throughout the course of the camp.
  I have seen the arts used as an avenue to help erase the bruises so many of the [students] bear.
  I have even seen my own life change as I have grown in confidence as both an artist and teacher.
  I have seen that Biblical truths can be taught and shared through creative arts.
  I have seen college students from around our nation unite (no matter the sleep deprivation!) under a single declaration to bring life and light to churches, children, and families through the arts.

I am humbled to be a part of such a mission and I challenge churches and students to look at arts ministry through Lamplight's lenses.

I know I have, and I will never be the same.

We all saw His face daily, in planning meetings, in classes and rehearsals, in Bible studies, in performances, in unforgettable times of fun and fellowship, and in the smile of each child who walked through our doors.

For me, it was a chance to pour my creative energies into the arts that I love so dearly. The teaching aspect was particularly unique in that it involved transmitting essentially the same information to a new group of kids each week.

For the purposes of teacher training, this gave each member of the team a chance to refine and review his or her own instructional delivery and curricular goals with daily feedback from teammates and uncommonly frequent tactical and methodological evaluations.

Of all the courses and practical experiences I've had as a teacher, AAKP taught me the art of teaching most effectively.

However, gaining confidence was not the only growth I experienced; I became more mature in my spiritual life.

Seeing children learning and growing in Christ through [our] work brought peace to my heart, along with joy. I could see God working. It was amazing!

Most importantly, AAKP is a tool that God uses to share the good news of his Son to impact a generation that deeply needs it. As every child is ministered to in Bible study, through worship songs, and through [our interaction with them], I know it is something [that] has eternal impact.

MICHELLE:
This summer I learned an amazing amount. I learned so much about the different parts of a team and how vital each member is. I also learned how much I really do love kids, and how difficult, but rewarding teaching them can be.

Funny how God can turn things around. Definitely recommend applying for this [internship]. Even if you aren't sure, God will show you what is supposed to happen. I had completely different plans for last summer, but things just fell into place for me to do AAKP, and I don't regret one minute of it. Even the most difficult ones.