Pastoral Internship
Pastoral Internship
Palolo Valley • Honolulu, O‘ahu
Serve the Church. Grow in Ministry. Experience Hawai’i.
Are you preparing for pastoral ministry?
Do you need to fulfil seminary or Bible college internship requirements?
Are you prayerfully considering vocational ministry and longing for hands-on experience in a local church?
We invite you to spend 1–2 months with us in beautiful Palolo Valley on the island of O‘ahu, serving alongside the pastors and people of our small Reformed Baptist church.
This is not a classroom simulation. It is real church life — preaching, shepherding, discipleship, prayer, service, and fellowship — in a close-knit congregation committed to Christ and His Word.
What You’ll Experience
Our goal is not simply to give you tasks, but to help form you as a shepherd. We will largely shape the specificities of the internship around the intern’s own background knowledge, experience, and education.
Interns will have opportunities to:
Preach and teach (as appropriate and scheduled)
Teach Sunday School or lead Bible studies
Assist in youth ministry
Shadow pastors in weekly ministry rhythms
Participate in pastoral visits and discipleship conversations
Observe church leadership and decision-making
Fellowship deeply with church families
Engage in prayer meetings and regular worship
Because we are a smaller church, interns are not siloed into one narrow area. You will see the full range of pastoral life — both its joys and its ordinary faithfulness.
Ministry in Hawai‘i
Serving here comes with unique blessings and challenges.
Palolo Valley is a local community in Honolulu. So there is both a “suburban and urban” feel to ministry here.
Ministry here means building real relationships, loving real families, and serving Christ in the ordinary rhythms of church life.
And yes — it also means mountains, ocean, and one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Creation itself often reminds us of the majesty of the One we serve.
Internship Length
One or Two months
We work with your availability and seminary/college requirements and schedule to structure a meaningful, intentional experience.
Church Profile
Location: Palolo Valley. Honolulul, Hawai’i.
Size: Small local church, 50 adult members, 80-100 average Sunday attendance. We have a good mix of demographics for a small church. We have young couples, newer parents, seasoned parents, and members who have been here over 60 years.
Denomination: No Denominational Affiliation
Theological Profile: We are a Reformed Baptist Church. We welcome all Christians to worship and join with us, but our leadership and church identity is reformed and baptistic. Our church’s statement of faith is the 2nd London Baptist Confession
Who This Is For
This internship is especially suited for:
Seminary or Bible college students needing field education
Men exploring a call to vocational ministry
Those seeking immersive exposure to pastoral life in a confessional Reformed Baptist context
Individuals or couples desiring to serve faithfully in a local church setting. Couples with children are also welcome! Just be aware you must be comfortable in the one bedroom house we have & you must factor that into your costs as we cannot provide any higher stipend than what we currently offer.
We are looking for humility, teachability, theological conviction, and a sincere love for Christ and His church.
Cost & Budgeting for Hawai’i
Living in Hawai‘i is a unique blessing — but it is also more expensive than most places on the mainland. We want interns to come prepared and able to focus on ministry without unnecessary financial stress.
What We Provide
Housing on church property (no rent or utility costs) (Pictures below!)
Monthly stipend ($5000) to assist with living & travel expenses
Access to a Vehicle
For most interns, this will cover the majority or all of their basic monthly needs (with some leftover), depending on lifestyle and family size. We desire to be as generous as possible. Many churches burden their pastors or pastors in training financially, but we would like to lighten that burden (or at least not add to it)
While individual spending varies, here are a few realities to keep in mind:
Groceries tend to be noticeably more expensive than on the mainland
Gas prices are typically higher than the U.S. average
Dining out can add up quickly
Many everyday items cost more due to shipping to the islands
That said, a simple and intentional lifestyle makes this internship very manageable financially for most participants. Sam’s & Costco are basically comparable to the mainland except for dairy (which is more expensive)
This internship is not designed to be a vacation, but a season of focused ministry and growth. Interns who approach their time here with simplicity, contentment, and intentional stewardship typically find that the provided stipend is more than sufficient.
We encourage prospective interns to:
Plan ahead financially
Budget conservatively
Reach out with any specific questions
We are happy to help you think through what this might look like for your particular situation.
What You Should Plan For
Interns are responsible for:
Airfare to and from O’ahu (if you are off island). Stipend can be used towards this. We will handle transportation once you arrive.
Groceries and household supplies (we are happy to discuss specific numbers so you have a real world estimate!)
Transportation (gas or any public transit you make use of)
Personal Activities (eating out, tourist activities, local attractions)*
*except surfing. You will not need to pay for surf lessons or board rentals if you are interested in surfing … we have many members who surf who would love take care of you on that front … :)
Apply!
FAQs
Who is eligible to apply?
Men Preparing for Pastoral Ministry
Applicants should be members in good standing of a local church.
Aligned (or at least broadly sympathetic) with Reformed Baptist theology.*
*You do not need to understand or agree with every portion of our statement of faith, but recognise that it reflects the training and church life that you will experience.
What is the housing situation?
Housing is provided on church property. The single bedroom home can accommodate:
-An individual
-A married couple
-A small family
This allows you to be closely connected to the life of the church during your stay.
What is expected of interns spiritually and personally?
We are not looking for perfection, but we do expect:
A growing and evident walk with Christ
Humility and teachability
Faithfulness in personal devotion and prayer
A willingness to serve in both visible and unseen ways
A love for the local church
Interns should come ready not only to learn, but to serve.
How long are the internships?We offer flexible terms spanning 1-2 months. We do ask that applicants be able to do at least one month.
What does a typical week look like?
Interns can expect a blend of:
-Sermon preparation
-Teaching opportunities
-Sunday worship
-Midweek Bible study
-Prayer gatherings
-Meetings with pastors for mentorship and theological discussion
-Time spent in personal study
-Informal fellowship with church members
Because this is real pastoral ministry, some weeks will be more structured, while others will require flexibility and availability.
Is there financial support?
Yes.
Interns receive a monthly stipend of $5000/month to assist with living expenses.
However, interns are responsible for:
Travel to and from Hawai’i if not already on island (stipend can be used towards this)
Personal expenses beyond housing and stipend
When is the Internship?We offer rolling start dates. We are happy to work with your school’s requirements or personal availability. We typically do one or two internships a year.
Will I have opportunities to preach?
Yes.
The number of teaching/preaching opportunities will be fitted to the candidate’s experience and any school requirements. Interns who are prepared and approved will have opportunities to preach or teach in settings such as Sunday School, midweek gatherings, or regular worship services.
What kind of mentorship will I receive?
Interns will spend regular time with our pastors, observing and discussing:
-Sermon preparation
-Exegesis & Bible Study
-Pastoral care & counselling
-Church leadership & decision-making
-The practical realities of shepherding a local church
Our aim is to provide both instruction & honest exposure to the responsibilities of pastoral ministry.
Can my spouse or family come with me?
Yes.
We welcome married applicants, and the provided housing can accommodate a couple or small family.
In fact, this can be a meaningful opportunity for your family to experience and participate in church life together.
You simply have to be aware of the size of the house provided and whether you feel you can comfortably live there for the duration of the internship.