Nearly two years ago Katelyn Delemare moved to Waikato to begin a Word of Life internship—quickly finding a church home at Chapel Hill Community Church and diving into Christian leadership study through Pathways College. This year Katelyn spent the year preparing for an overseas mission trip to Fiji, where she would put her growing leadership and discipleship training into practice.
Chapel Hill Community Church Pastor Philip Renner says it has been a privilege for the church to journey with her:
“Katelyn has used her gifts in leadership and influence over the past two years to bring people along with her. She’s the type of person who builds into people and helps grow them.”
Alongside her church, the Word of Life internship team has witnessed significant growth. Intern Manager Sam Crosbie reflects:
“It has been a joy to have Katelyn interning with us over the last two years. Our privilege as intern managers is to be a small part of what God is doing in Katelyn’s life. He has transformed and grown the girl we first met into a godly Christian leader who is equipped to serve faithfully and effectively in her local church.”
This foundation of study, personal growth, and hands-on ministry set the stage for Katelyn’s recent trip to Fiji where she travelled with a Word of Life Youth Reachout Team—a team of NZ youth aged 16+ gaining practical cross-cultural mission experience.
“At Pathways, I have been studying the NZ Diploma in Christian Studies (Christian Leadership Level 6). I have learned a lot about leadership which really helped me on the trip because there were a few things for which I had to take responsibility. So I was prepared to lead a study and the children’s program in the first week which both went pretty well! I also learnt how much I enjoy leading from the side-line.”
“When I first met the team who were going to Fiji, I was struck by how friendly all the youth were and how excited they were to be on this trip. I loved these initial conversations I had with the youth because I was keen to be part of a united group, working together on this trip.
“I travelled to Fiji with Word of Life to build relationships with these youth and ultimately encourage them to grow more in their faith. I went on this trip because I love discipleship and getting to work alongside youth in Fiji for three weeks was a dream come true.”
Throughout the trip she valued the ministry opportunities and relationships with both the NZ youth team, and the Fijian people.
“During the trip, we had many training sessions for the youth and then carried out some kids’ programmes to help the Fiji Word of Life team. One of my favourite moments was getting to be the photographer and taking photos of some special moments the youth had with the sweetest Fijian kids. But I also really appreciated the moments I got to spend with the youth, getting to know them all individually and talking about Jesus and faith with pretty much everyone.”
The team faced challenges as well—but found God’s grace at work even in the setbacks.
“One challenge we faced was that some of the schools and programmes were unexpectedly cancelled. We even went to one school, prepared to run a programme and waited two hours only to get turned away. While this was a bit discouraging, our team was still thankful that we were able to go to another school and carry out the programme.”
Cross-cultural learning became a meaningful part of the journey:
“I met a young Fijian woman who joined our NZ youth on the trip. She was awesome, super friendly and chatty, and she shared many aspects of Fijian culture and customs that helped us understand the people better. Life for many Fijians is very tough and something I learnt on a deeper level was that people always have a back story which is important to understand when working with other cultures.”
Looking back, Katelyn sees the trip as deeply shaping:
“This trip changed me through testimonies of God’s grace and love. I now have a better understanding and can see how everyone is beautifully made in God’s image and has their individual story that God is writing through them.
“After this experience, I think my passion for discipleship has just grown so much more and I just love seeing others grow in their relationship with God.
"A passage from Scripture that sums up how I feel about my experiences on my trip is from Matthew 28:19-20—‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Thanks to Pathways College for sharing Katelyn's story, originally posted here. If you'd like to learn more about Level 6 study through Pathways: www.pathways.ac.nz/christian-leadership-level-6
If you'd like to learn more about Word of Life and what an internship would look like: www.wol.org.nz/internships
