Meet the 2022 Intern Team

Name: Ava Johnston

Hometown: Coon Rapids

College: Bethel University

Area of Study: Relational Communications & Biblical and Theological Studies 

Favorite sport(s):  Soccer, broomball, and lacrosse 

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I saw this opportunity from a classmate who had done the internship previously. She only had good things to say about it! I also was involved in FCA in high school so, I was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to exercise my communication and bible education but was also something I was super passionate about. This opportunity is allowing me to serve a ministry that has served me in amazing ways while also giving me insight into a possible further career path!

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer?  I want the kids I work with to understand that they are not too young, too busy, or too cool to start pursuing a personal relationship with Jesus. I want them to know the influence they have on the platform they have been given as an athlete and for them to realize the potential of that. So many people have been reached for Christ through FCA and so many more can be! I had opportunities to share my faith in high school specifically in the area of athletics and I did not use them all for God’s glory. I hope these kids can learn from my story!

Name: Bailey Eakins

Hometown: Anoka

College: College of Saint Benedict

Area of Study:

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: Cole Harcey

Hometown: Maple Grove

College: University of MN

Area of Study: Aerospace Engineering

Favorite sport(s): Running, Basketball, Football

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? The opportunity to continue to grow in not only my own faith but to possibly help others along their journey. Many people have been influential in my faith journey throughout my life, so the chance to do it for others, especially kids, was intriguing and seemed like it would be a fulfilling experience. 

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? I want them to understand that following Christ boils down to true belief in Him and his salvation and a growing relationship with Him through prayer, scripture, and having discussions, like the ones we have with them, with others who look to follow Him.  

Name: Collin Hemann

Hometown: Kellog, IA

College: University of Northwestern, St. Paul

Area of Study:  Majors: Nonprofit Leadership and Health Science; Minors: Marketing, Biology, and Bible

Favorite sport(s): Tennis

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I decided to become an intern this summer because I wanted to combine two of my favorite things, Jesus and Sports. 

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? By the end of the summer, I hope that the kids know that there is more to sports than just winning and losing. When we play our sport we are glorifying God through our actions. Playing our sports is a form of worship and thanking God for the gifts that he has given us in this life.

Name: Jordan Mehrer

Hometown: Elk River

College: Bethel University

Area of Study: Education

Name: Kaylyn Busch

Hometown: Corcoran

College: Bethel University

Area of Study: Business Marketing and Entrepreneurship 

Favorite sport(s): Cheerleading and Hockey

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I felt a strong call from God that this was something I needed to do. 

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? What I want my kids to understand by the end of the summer is how much Jesus truly changes everything. How he is the center of our lives and ultimately is the only thing in life that really matters. I want them to make that decision to follow Jesus and be an active part of his community! 

Name: Noah Borwege

Hometown: Carver

College: Bethel College - Indiana

Area of Study: Christian Ministry with a Minor in Biblical Languages 

Favorite sport(s): Baseball

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I wanted an experience through an organization that actively pursues the mission of advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. FCA does exactly that! This felt like a great opportunity for me to grow and advance my ministry capabilities while getting practical on-the-job experience. After prayer and consideration with my close family, it felt like the right fit for me this summer.

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? I want to make sure they know that each and every one of them is loved by God. Some children do not have a father. I want to make sure they know that they are loved unconditionally by their heavenly Father. Also, there is nothing that they can do that will save them. They can never do enough "good" things to measure up to the Goodness of God. For we believe that God in his mercy counts us as saved through belief in his Son's death and resurrection. Our hope is a future resurrection with Christ!  

Name: Renee Hinchcliffe

Hometown: Stevens Point, WI

College: Just graduated from the University of MN!

Area of Study: Kinesiology

Favorite sport(s): Running, soccer, ultimate frisbee

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer? I was a summer intern with FCA last summer and had a really incredible experience. I wanted to stay involved, so I am interning again but for a full year this time! I think it is important that FCA recognizes the influence of sport in our society and uses it as a platform for ministry, and I enjoy getting to share Jesus with kids and teens through sport, especially since youth sport was such a big part of my life!

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? Youth sport is often a big part of a child’s life and identity, and faith/church can be too, but they are often kept separate. I hope the kids I work with this year will understand that sports and faith don’t have to be separate parts of their lives, but instead their faith should impact the way they play and view sport.

Name: Sophie Emerson

Hometown: Blaine

College: Grand Canyon University

Name: Sydney Kress

Hometown: Anoka Minnesota! (born in Nepal)

College: University of Northwestern - Saint Paul

Area of Study: Media Production

Favorite sport(s): Rock Climbing

What influenced your decision to become an intern this summer?: Being a student leader in high school FCA for the last two years has shown me the great impact FCA has on the faith of the athletes and the leaders alike

What do you want to make sure the kids you work with understand by the end of the summer? How loved they are by God, no matter what. I hope they understand the Gospel and how even the greatest joys and freedoms we experience here are only an ounce of what life with Jesus is like! Furthermore, I hope they're inspired to share Jesus with anyone and everyone they can.