Mission Statement

The mission of the Networkers Ministry Program is to promote Christian discipleship in college-age students. Our program strives to encourage personal growth in Christ by focusing on three areas: community, service to others, and daily worship.

Each Networker is mentored by a church member and they themselves will mentor a youth in the church. Networkers will learn to follow Christ by serving others in their assigned ministry area as well as in the church and community as a whole. Last, they will discover how to worship with their lives through prayer, song, reading, writing, and leading. Of course, it is not the actual program that transforms these students. Rather, it is God Himself responding to the individual cry of each one who has purposefully set this summer aside to be transformed.

About Networkers

Every summer since the early 1960’s, there have been six to twelve college-aged students working with the children and youth of First Presbyterian Church in Fresno through the Networker Ministry Program. Through God’s blessing, the church staff and congregation, the program continues to thrive. Every summer, First Presbyterian Church is full of energy and excitement with the arrival of the Networkers.

Expectations

CHARACTER

• To abstain from developing any new dating relationships within or outside the Networker group.
  
• To abstain from smoking, alcoholic beverages, and drugs of any kind (Even if you are of age).
  
• To respect the decisions of the NET Core and church staff.
  
• To honor and respect your host family and accommodations.
  
• To cultivate a desire to live a life of holiness. Striving for honesty, purity, and integrity in every area of life.
  
• Students who refuse or fail to maintain this commitment are permanently dismissed from the program.

WORK

• Participate in job orientation “The Advance”, from June 4-6 and finish your commitment on August 8.
  
• Contact individuals in the assigned ministry area. Contact should be outside the regularly scheduled large group events (“bubble studies”, camp, bike trips etc.). This should encompass about 10 to 15 hours per week spending time with a small group or individual students. This is a different time from discipling students.
  
• Meet at least weekly with your advisor to review your schedule, discussing the past week’s successes, the future week’s goals and assigned reading.
  
• Choose one or two students and meet with them each week for discipleship.
  
• Spend one evening a week with your host family to strengthen relationships.
  
• Participate in staff prayer on Tuesday and Thursday morning.
  
• Come alongside the Vacation Bible Blast staff and work as directed by the coordinator.
  
• Attend weekly Thursday evening NET meetings.
  
• Be present at the Tuesday afternoon Networker class.
  
• Be prepared to participate in activities that may have some physical demands such as swimming, hiking, bike riding and other various summer activities.
  

For the specific ministry areas of Nursery/Preschool; Primary; Juniors; Jr. High; High School:

• Be involved weekly in Sunday School planning and teaching in conjunction with the ministry director.
  
• Plan and implement ministry events with the ministry director such as overnighters or trips.
  
• Attend summer camp with students of assigned ministry area.

Typical Daily Schedule

Monday
Off

Tuesday
8:45 Staff Prayer
10:00 Ministry Area Meeting
12:00 Class
1:00 Networker Details Meeting
1:30 Ministry
5:00 Host Family Dinner & Gathering

Wednesday
Ministry
6:00 Ministry Area Bible Studies

Thursday
8:45 Staff Prayer
10:00 Ministry
6:00 Networker Meeting

Friday
Ministry

Saturday
Ministry

Sunday
8:30 First Service
9:40 Sunday School
11:00 Second Service
6:00 Ministry Area Bible Studies

Summer Camp and Vacation Bible Blast weeks will have different schedules than what is presented here.

Specifics

Age: between 18 and 25 (Must be at least one year out of high school)

Faith: a commitment to Christ that is evident

Salary: $850 per month ($750 if you do not have a vehicle)

Living Accommodations: the Networker will be housed by a church family even if he/she lives in town

You can only be a Networker once.

Involvement at First Pres

The Networker Ministry Program is not just a summer internship-it is being part of the First Presbyterian Church family in a way that fosters personal and spiritual growth. Get ready for God to transform you inside and out as you serve as a Networker this summer!

Comments From Former Networkers

“I came to a new understanding of what it means to live for Christ in everything you do and I saw lay involvement in the church taken to a new level.”
-Justin, 2002

"I have been challenged to examine my faith and how I integrate it into my everyday life. "
-Jean, 2003

“God knows what He is doing. He presents us with challenges not only to help us grow, but also because of the rewards He knows we’ll reap.”
-Matt, 2000

"My time as a newtorker is invaluable to me as I was able to experiment in my ministry gifts and discover my love for students. I felt completely supported and encouraged by the church staff. First Pres is a great place to grow spiritually."
-Mary 2007