In 1 Timothy 2:2, Paul exhorts Pastor Timothy, “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” This is the theme verse of our pastoral internship program. This is not the only format for our overall internship program, but this is the one that I am involved in directly.
I have always felt the burden and the blessing of raising up men to be pastors, especially senior pastors, although not exclusively. It has been a wonderful experience and an extraordinary pleasure to see God raise up both men and women to be trained for different forms of pastoral ministry. Since 1977, the ministry of Evergreen has seen over seventy full-time ministers emerge from within its ranks. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
This past week, I participated in a pastoral interns retreat. I, along with Matt Tsushima (our senior intern), Victor Chen and Ian Nagata spent two nights and three days seeking the Lord regarding pastoral ministry. As I listened to their concerns and questions, I envisioned their future in service to the Lord.
It always amazes me how the Lord provides candidates for the pastoral interns program. He is faithful in His provision. I suppose the thing that blesses me the most is seeing our former interns training up others according to the mandate from the Apostle Paul.
Recently, we had lunch with the staff from Lighthouse Community Church. It was a blessing to meet the two interns who are now serving under Pastors Kim Kira and Gavin Kajikawa. It almost felt like watching your sons raise their sons (makes me feel even more like a grandpa).
I would like to thank the church family for allowing this ministry to take place. Your support and encouragement is incredibly important for this ministry. I know that whenever a pastoral intern enters into the pulpit for the first time, you are with them and for them. How wonderful to have a supportive church family.
It is my prayer that the Lord will continue to use us to raise up and train those who are called to full-time pastoral ministry.

Blessings,
Pastor Cory, d.v.

P.S. Darryl Jung is currently serving a short-term intern assignment in the area of Outreach.