Beta Internship & Residency

BETA is designed for young adults ages 18–24 who are exploring or preparing for a lifetime of vocational ministry. Through mentoring relationships, a curated reading list, and hands-on ministry experience, participants receive broad exposure to three core areas of church ministry: discipleship, worship, and missions.

Whether serving as an Intern or a Resident, participants are immersed in meaningful ministry opportunities, equipped through guided reading and mentoring, and encouraged through regular coaching and feedback. The goal is not simply to gain ministry experience, but to cultivate Christlike character, sharpen ministry skills, and discern God's calling for a lifetime of faithful service.

The BETA Internship & Residency is a scholarship-based program. Scholarships are directly distributed to the school and program of each participant. Information about this can be obtained further along in the interview process.

The BETA Internship is designed for underclassmen who are interested in testing the waters of vocational ministry. Through a broad range of hands-on ministry experiences, guided reading, intentional mentoring, and meaningful conversations with ministry leaders, interns are given the opportunity to explore God's calling and discern whether vocational ministry is the right path for them.

The BETA Residency is intended for students who have already sensed a clear call to vocational ministry and are ready for deeper investment. Residents assume greater ministry responsibility, receive more focused coaching, and develop the leadership, theological, and practical skills necessary for long-term ministry service.

BETA is designed to invest in you as you invest in others. Throughout the program, you'll gain meaningful, hands-on ministry experience centered around three core areas of our church's mission: worship, discipleship, and missions.

As a BETA, you can expect to:

• Assist with worship planning and the execution of worship services.
• Participate in small-group discipleship and receive opportunities to develop and teach biblical lessons across a variety of age-group ministries at Dawson.
• Serve weekly in one of the church's outreach or evangelism ministries, learning firsthand what it means to engage the community with the gospel.

In addition to practical ministry experience, each cohort works through a curated reading plan designed to deepen their understanding of pastoral ministry, spiritual formation, and vocational calling. These readings are discussed during monthly cohort meetings, where participants also receive additional ministry training, mentoring, and coaching from church staff and ministry leaders.

The time commitment for BETA depends on your program tier and is designed to provide meaningful ministry experience while remaining manageable alongside your academic responsibilities.

• BETA Interns (Freshmen and Sophomores) serve approximately 12 hours per week. Interns make their commitment on a semester-by-semester basis, providing flexibility as they explore and discern a calling to vocational ministry.
• BETA Residents (Juniors and Seniors) serve up to 20 hours per week, depending on their ministry assignment. Residents make a one-year commitment, allowing for deeper ministry involvement, leadership development, and long-term investment in their assigned ministry area.

Schedules vary by ministry area and are developed in collaboration with ministry supervisors. While specific hours may differ from week to week, participants can expect a consistent commitment throughout each semester that includes ministry responsibilities, mentoring, cohort meetings, and training.

An example schedule is as follows:

Internship Tier (Freshman and Sophomores): i.e., for the student “testing the waters.”

• • Sunday:
    • College Life Group– 1 hr
    • Corporate Worship – 1 hr
    • BETA Meeting – 1 hr *per month
  • Tuesday: Auxano, set up, tear down, service elements – 4hr
  • Wednesday: Wednesday Night Dinner and Discipleship Ministry – 2 hr
    • Dawson Student Ministry Community Groups
    • Dawson Kids Ministry Wednesday Nights
  • Thursday:
    • Serve at Dawson's Kids Connection or The Learning Center – 2 hr

*Each student is required to participate in a weekly D-Group – 1 hr

Total: 12 hours

 

Residency Tier (Juniors and Seniors): i.e., for the student who senses a call to ministry

Belong to a dedicated ministry team (Students, Kids, Senior Adults, College, or Music & Worship)

Example: Kids Ministry

• • Sunday:
    • Kids Ministry Life Group– 1 hr
    • Corporate Worship – 1 hr
    • BETA Meeting – 1 hr *per month
  • Monday:
    • Dawson Kids Staff Meeting - 2 hours
    • Office hours, weekly set up – 3 hours
  • Tuesday: Auxano, set up, tear down, service elements – 4hr
  • Wednesday:
    • Wednesday Night Dinner and Kids Ministry Programming – 4 hr
  • Thursday:
    • Office hours – 3 hr

*Each student is required to participate in a weekly D-Group – 1 hr

**Schedule to be determined by Ministry Lead with duties as assigned

Total: 20 hours