Encourage and support The Board Interns 2025-6

What is The Board Internship?

The Board Internship (TBI) (www.theboardinternship.org.au) is a joint project of Korus Connect (www.korusconnect.org.au) and CMA (www.cma.net.au) – charities who share a passion for helping Christian organisations become as effective as they can be.

TBI is a program designed to both train and equip the next generation of Christian board members. It places Christian leaders, between 22 and 35 years of age, in a year-long program that gives them hands-on experience on a board, mentorship, training and networking. Interns not only gain knowledge about ministry governance, but experience it in the real world of a well-functioning Christian boardroom.

Distinct from other governance training, TBI grounds interns in governance through a faith lens, so they are trained to seek God and his wisdom in everything from strategy to finance to risk management.

Why I joined The Board Internship

I often found myself thinking, how often do senior leaders and those in positions of authority in Christian settings just stop and pray mid-meeting when wrestling with issues? It must be so easy to get caught in the details and with what the world deems wise and best practice. How do they wrestle with these things (especially in a Christian setting) keeping in mind how God calls us to make decisions, trusting in him and his provision? I didn't have much experience in this space, but I had questions.

God has been graciously growing me and showing me more and more about what it means to govern well, (and boy do i have a lot to learn). But this program was a fantastic opportunity to experience first hand what this looks like. A place to ask my questions, to both learn and challenge those who have been wrestling with these ideas for a while. How did they come to think this way and what helped shape this?

So I was keen to step into this space and become better equip to be able to serve God in the settings he has placed me in and whatever he has in store for me in the future.

How is The Board Internship funded?

I and other Interns are not charged a fee to participate in this program. This is done intentionally so that the program can keep the focus on choosing individuals with the right heart and attitude first and foremost, not those who can afford the program. 

Throughout the course of the program TBI has paid for my travel and conference costs, and my host organisation (the board I am on) has paid a fee to contribute towards the program costs, but there is still a gap.

As part of this journey, I have been tasked to seek financial support to help cover this gap. In all honesty, asking for money is not something I find particularly easy. However, it is a crucial ministry skill to learn and get experience with. It's also a program that I believe has great value and importance.

In addition to this, most ministry and not for profit organisations will rely on the generous giving of others as a main source of revenue. I have already seen the power of generosity in various settings and believe that God uses these opportunities to continue to grow us as Christians and make us more like him.

Will you support me and invest in future Christian ministry boards?

I would like to invite you to prayerfully consider supporting me and partnering with TBI program by making a one-off tax-deductable gift.

My individual goal to raise at least $1000 towards the remaining costs of the internship. In addition, CMA and Korus Connect seek to raise a matching amount ($1000 per intern, or $16,000 in 2025-6), to provide the funds needed for things beyond the core participation costs, like staffing, administration, and expanding the initiative.

On behalf of the Christian Boards of the future, Thank you!