Mathews Recalls Early Days of Ministerial Internship Program
The Church of God Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) officially launched as a denominational program of the Church of God in 1978 under the leadership of Dr. Robert E. Fisher, who was director of General Education. Fisher was the visionary for the program when, a few years earlier he pioneered a similar program while serving as state overseer in Hawaii. The first “unofficial” group of ministerial interns consisted of a group of new converts, many who lived on the island of Kauai. One of the members of the first group was Rev. Vaughn Mathews, current administrative bishop for the Pacific Northwest region of the Church of God.
“I was saved during the Jesus Movement in Southern California,” Mathews shared with Faith News recently. “Not long after my conversion I moved to Kauai, Hawaii, where I had friends who had become Christians and were attending a very unique Church of God. We were a group of misfits with a pastor, Jack and Sally Powell, who were very conservative, but loved us dearly.”
“During this time Dr. Robert Fisher was developing a new program called the MIP,” Mathews continued. “Since we were on an Island and did not have access to a Bible college, Dr. Fisher’s program seemed the logical plan. Dr. Fisher had put together a very extensive plan of Bible reading, various book selections, class room teaching, and hands-on ministry, such as street witnessing, and even beach ministry. The MIP lasted a full year, was very detailed and well planned out. That early version of MIP has developed to what we have today.”
In 2013, the Ministerial Internship Program is a vital tool in preparing future ministers for leadership. It is a requirement for advancement in ministry in the Church of God and is administered by the Division of Education.
“The early days of my Christian walk were developed by the MIP, but most of all by a Man of God who cared enough to speak in to a group of misfits lives,” Mathews continued. “At times we probably seemed a little strange, or even scary! I have fallen back on the training of the MIP over many years of ministry as a pastor and now an administrative bishop. The things I learned then, still help me today. In fact, I still have the books we used during that time!”
“Thank you, Dr. Fisher, for caring and helping us develop in to who we are today. What a legacy!”
The 35th anniversary of the Ministerial Internship Program will take place on May 17-18, 2013 in Cleveland, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.cogdoe.org.
