The First Free Worship internship program is a dynamic 4-month training opportunity for young worship leaders looking to develop heart, passion, and gifting for worship ministry. The program involves weekly classes facilitated by First Free staff on the theological and practical components of leading worship. It also involves opportunities to help plan and  lead worship in a variety of contexts at Frist Free, including Sunday morning services, SH ministry, JH ministry, and children’s ministry.

We are looking for young, passionate, humble, worship leaders who are excited to take the next steps in the personal journey of leading worship, serving the local church, and growing in ministry.

The program runs September – December. Participants will meet weekly for a worship leader training class (see topics below). They will also lead worship in various contexts at First Free 3 times a month. They will meet monthly with the pastor of worship ministries for coaching and mentoring. Worship interns join the worship ministry team and report directly to the Pastor of Worship Ministries, with additional investment and mentoring from other First Free staff.

Compensation: Monthly stipend

• Participate in weekly classes on the theological and practical components of leading worship featuring video courses, discussion, and training exercises.
• Occasionally help lead worship in various contexts at First Free, including the main sanctuary, SH ministry, JH ministry, and Kid Connection. Specific responsibilities will be connected to the passion, skills, and gifting of the intern.
• Meet monthly with worship staff for training and development.
• Invest in a younger worship team member (a student in 6th-12th grade) to provide training and discipleship. Each intern will be asked to mentor 1 younger worship team member by meeting with them two times a month.
• Depending on passion and gifting, opportunities exist to gain experience in technical productions (audio, computer graphics, lighting, and video). There will also be opportunities to learn about Ableton Live, Pro-Presenter, and Planning Center.

Character and Commitment

• Demonstrates a genuine love for the Lord and other people with an authentic, transparent, Christ-centered lifestyle.
• Willing to embrace the vision, values, and beliefs of First Free Church.
• Passionate about worship ministry and serving in the local church.
• Possesses a heart to invest in others, both musically and spiritually.
• Warm and personable demeanor that connects well with all kinds of people.
• A lifelong learner always looking to grow and improve worship leading skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience leading worship or serving on worship teams.
• Skill, experience, and prior training as a vocalist, instrumentalist, and worship leader.
• Program is geared towards college and graduate students pursuing ministry, with the option for current high school seniors to participate.

Sept 12 – Worship Leader Foundations (week 1) – Serving as a Shepherd
Sept 19 – Worship Leader Foundations (week 2) – Discipleship and Investing in Others
Sept 26 – 8 Essentials of a Thriving Worship Ministry
Oct 3 – Running Rehearsals
Oct 10 – Set Building
Oct 17 – Increasing Congregational Participation and Engagement
Oct 24 – Team Building
Oct 31 – Musical Excellence
Nov 7 – Divine Design (week 1) – How Has God Wired You Uniquely for Ministry? 
Nov 14 – Divine Design (week 2) – How Has God Shaped Your Story to Form You as a Leader? 
Nov 21 (No Class – Thanksgiving Week)
Nov 28 – Grace-Based Foundations for Leading Gospel Centered Worship
Dec 7 – Final class – end of semester reflection and discussion
Dec 14 – Team hangout and end of semester celebration