A Beginning of Transformation

Networkers 2010 

As I sit here, almost two years since I participated as a Networker, I am blown away with where God has brought me. I came here to Fresno, CA with some apprehensions. Why would God be calling me to do ministry so far from home? I know this may seem like a silly question considering I was only committing to a ten week program at the time, but something within me knew that if I went to Fresno for the summer this is where I would end up after graduating. God was already softening my heart for the relationships to come even before I stepped foot in California. 

The summer of 2010 God blessed me with the opportunity to be a Networker at First Presbyterian Church of Fresno. The program stretch and strengthen my relationship with Christ by pushing me outside of my own desires to selflessly serve others. The emphasis on discipleship and worshipping God daily was refreshing. I am still processing what I learned from that summer of growth and development. God used this program as a catalyst for spiritual strength, relational growth, and blossoming of seeds planted previously. My passions for teaching where watered each week, my desire for working with students and helping them created a strong foundation of faith continued to expand, my potential was called out, and my weaknesses exposed. This experience was the beginning of a life changing transformation in my life. 

The Johnson's My Host Family

After completing the ten week program, I walked away a different person. Lifetime relationships were established, Christian community created, and a sense of leaving my "home" behind overwhelmed me. I started my senior year at Taylor University shortly after departing Fresno. A piece of me was still there and a strong desire from God to continue doing ministry in the city. Therefore, through several God divine timings and events I was able to complete my degree in May and move to Fresno in July. 

Since July, I have moved into a big house across the street from the church and am participating in Urban ministry. While volunteering as a Jr. High advisor at First Pres, God has blown a flame of urgency to share the Gospel message with these young teens in a way that transforms their whole lives. As I continue to learn more about myself and how God is shaping me to do his work, I am grateful for the relationships established that summer. These people have helped me adjust to a new place, find a community where I can grow and be challenged, and use my gifts to bless others. I would not be able to stand before you today as I am, if it wasn't for the incarnational work of the body of Christ here in Fresno. I am overwhelmed by God's grace and provision for others and myself as we are obedient to his call in our lives. Although the goal of First Pres is to equip and send out, I am thankful for God's calling on my life to serve in Fresno. Written By: Meagan Bergem Networker 2010 

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.

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.

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!