Meet the 2021 Interns

Name: Anna Pearson

Hometown: Coon Rapids

College: Bethel University

Favorite sport(s): Dance and soccer

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I heard about the internship through my freshman SHIFT {Bible study} leader, Gina [last year’s intern], who advised me to try to go for it this summer, as preparation for myself being a SHIFT leader next year for incoming freshmen! I knew it would be a great opportunity to get involved in ministry and experience in planning small group discussions!

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? That God always has a plan for them, and it is often not the plan that they had for themselves. I have experienced this numerous times in my life, and I know that God has had His hand guiding me the entire way.

Name: Ashley Pauley

Hometown: Coon Rapids

College: University of Northwestern – St. Paul

Favorite sport(s): Volleyball and softball 

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I didn’t have any influence on making this decision besides truly from Christ. I prayed so many times that I would be guided to a position that is surrounded by fellow believers in Christ and a great company. He showed me many ways through social media and also a teammate who I found out served as an FCA Intern last summer! I knew I wanted to continue ministering to children and students like I do at my church, but in a more personal way and this was how I could help them feel that their walk with Christ isn’t over at a certain age.

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? How great the Word of Christ is and how to apply it to not just to everyday life but in sports and other extra-curricular activities and that they have a powerful influence to their peers. Showing them how we can glorify Christ while doing things we love is one of the best ways that we can be great disciples of Christ.

Name: Austin Koester

Hometown: Mahtomedi

College: St. John’s University

Favorite sport(s): Nordic Ski, basketball, soccer

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I wanted to do something similar to the youth ministry I did in high school. I want to work with people and help them feel connected to Christ again.

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? How powerful and wonderful God is, as well as the ways we can glorify Him through sport and other activities.

Name: Bailey Eakins

Hometown: Columbus

College: St. Ben’s University

Favorite sport(s): Dance

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? Being a leader of Anoka FCA inspired me to want to become an intern because I enjoyed being able to lead others towards a stronger relationship with their faith and I feel called to continue to do this for many others.

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? Our faith does things in our lives very differently when we compare it to others but it is so important to remember that God has the perfect plan for each one of us and we need to trust in Him through it all.

Name: Elizabeth Paul

Hometown: Becker

College: Bethel University

Favorite sport(s): Volleyball and Softball

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I want to be a part of a great community and opportunity that I had in high school. I have always looked for ways to help connect with people in any way possible. And FCA is a great way to bring together two things that I love.

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? To know more about God and their relationship with God.

Name: Josiah Ahlquist

Hometown: Anoka

College: Bethel University

Favorite sport(s): Soccer and tennis

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? My girlfriend was the biggest influence on becoming an intern this summer. She was more involved in FCA and was a leader her senior year. She really encouraged me to become an intern and see how God could work through me through this experience.

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? That God loves them. I know a lot of kids can have problems in school or home life, but just knowing that God cares for them all the time is the reassurance I want to show them.

Name: Lily Owen

Hometown: Apple Valley

College: Bethel University

Favorite sport(s): Equestrian 

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? My desire to see students mature as Christians greatly influenced my decision to become an intern. I wanted to find an opportunity where I could be directly involved with the discipleship of young people and FCA provided that chance! I was also influenced by my own experience with previous FCA interns. In 2019, I was connected with an intern through FCA's Leadership Camp. Her encouragement and challenge transformed how I was living as a child of God, and she still remains one of my closest friends to this day! I would love to be that for some other kids in FCA.

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? Their status as a child of the Highest King can influence how they live in this world. I hope that the power of the gospel would come alive to them in a way that would encourage them to live boldly in the confidence of the Lord and walk intimately with Him. My hope is that they would recognize the joy that exudes from the Holy Spirit in us--a joy that permeates the world.

Name: Primeau Hill

Hometown: Oak Grove

College: North Central University

Favorite sport(s): Baseball and Basketball

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? Jesus Christ! God put an opportunity right in front of me during chapel at North Central to use a passion of mine to make Him known!

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? I hope they understand what it means to competitively strive to pursue their best selves through Jesus Christ!

Name: Renee Hinchcliffe

Hometown: Minneapolis

College: U of M

Favorite sport(s): Running

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? It appealed to me because of my passion for sports, leadership, and sharing my faith. I had an extremely positive experience participating in youth sports growing up, and I recognize the unique platform that sports provide to interact with many different people over the course of a career. As an intern, I hope to help young athletes grow in their relationship with Christ and equip them to be leaders and role models on their sports teams and with their peers. I also look forward to growing in my own faith and leadership skills.

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? Sports provide a unique opportunity to interact with people (teammates, coaches, fans, etc.) on a regular basis that you may never have otherwise met. Moreover, from practices to tournaments to team bonding activities, the amount of time we spend with these people often leads to intimate friendships and relationships. Sports can open doors to faith conversations by providing the time, relationships, and opportunities to tell others about Christ and share our own stories about what we believe. Youth sports are especially unique because children and teenagers are often still trying to figure out life and decide for themselves what they believe. By the end of the summer, I want the kids I work with to understand this unique platform they have for sharing their faith and feel more comfortable and confident in their own beliefs.