Abiding Presence
College-Age
Interns
Abiding Presence had a fabulous summer of 2024 with our 23 college-age interns. Read all about what our interns were up to and how their lives were shaped by their experiences in our 2024 Summer Yearbook.
Graduated high school seniors, college-age young adults and recent college graduates spend their summers on our summer camp team. They gather for daily devotions, dig deep into scripture through daily Bible Study, think about vocation and what God is calling them to do in the world while building relationships that will sustain them throughout the year. Graduated high school seniors make $15/hour. College-age interns (with at least one year of post high school experience) make $17/hour.
We understand that vacations happen and we are happy to be flexible around those dates. Contact Pastor Kelsey, Associate Pastor for Youth & College-Age Ministry with questions.
Ryan, one of our Abiding Presence summer 2023 interns, shares his story of finding church, engaging in faith and hearing God's call for his life.
The Abiding Presence Internship Program offers intentional opportunities for:
Faith Formation
Vocational Discernment
Leadership Development
What began as a “pandemic pivot” in 2020 turned into a new and important way of being church.
If you are interested in a summer or semester internship experience, contact Pastor Kelsey Kresse, Associate Pastor for Youth and College-Age Ministry.
Elizabeth, one of our 2023 Summer Interns, shares her story of coming to Abiding Presence and finding church community among her peers.
Summer 2024 College-Age Interns
Ryan McGowan, Summer Camp Associate Director
MEd Student, James Madison University
Ryan loves Ultimate Frisbee and this is his 3rd summer as an Abiding Presence intern. Ryan says, “I love forming connections with campers and creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to be themselves…This is such an inclusive place, and I want to make my future classroom just as welcoming.” This summer, he hopes to continue to learn and build his curriculum writing skills.
Madeline Orchard
Sophomore, Notre Dame University
This is Madeline’s first summer as an Abiding Presence intern after learning about us from a friend. She is an electrical engineering and is hoping to learn more about the management and organization side of summer camp. She says, “It is incredible watching the campers learn and grown together as the week progresses,” and “I’m grateful to learn from such a dedicated and inclusive staff.” She enjoys playing piano, reading and hiking.
Ally Tingen
May 2024 University of Mary Washington Graduate with a degree in Psychology and Neuroscience
Ally likes to run in her free time and is pursuing a career in clinical psychology and research. This is Ally’s 4th (!!) summer as an Abiding Presence Intern. This summer she hopes to continue discerning her career path into a vocation where her passions and meaningful work meet. She says, “I enjoy contributing to the amazing work Abiding Presence does in the community…working at Abiding Presence has been such a meaningful experience.”
Madeline Duke
Sophomore, Penn State University
Madeline is studying Secondary Math Education and is on her second summer as an Abiding Presence intern. She loves to read and is a regular in our worship ensemble as a flautist. She hopes to improve her management and curriculum adaptation skills this summer and says, “It is incredible to see the kids learning about God…AP is such a welcoming place with so many kind people.”
Oliver Ignazzitto
MEd Student at George Mason University
Oliver is in his 4th(!!) summer as an Abiding Presence Intern as he starts his Masters of Education in Counseling with a CMHC emphasis this fall. This summer, Oliver hopes to learn to best support his friends and fellow staff who are less experienced and help them feel comfortable in new settings. He says that the Abiding Presence Internship Program gives him, “the opportunity to vibrantly engage with my community in a subtly lasting way.” In his free time, Oliver likes rollerskating and knitting.
Chasya Sivanich
Freshman, University of South Carolina
Chasya is in her first summer as an Abiding Presence College-Age Intern after graduating from the Abiding Fellows Program this spring. She is headed off to study business and real estate in the fall and enjoys art, softball, and going to the gym. She says, “I love seeing how happy the kids are to learn about the bible,” and hopes to become more enthusiastic and out-going this summer.
Elizabeth Symolon
Freshman, University of Mary Washington
Elizabeth is excited to head to UMW in the fall to study English Education and Literature. She is a graduate of the Abiding Fellows program and is on her third summer of working at Abiding Presence. Elizabeth loves reading, crocheting, and writing and says, “I love being able to make the campers happy and aid in their education and discovery of God… I love seeing their joy and love grow.” This summer, she hopes to learn how to effectively engage with diverse groups of students and foster an inclusive learning environment.
Thomas Seeger
Sophomore, Brown University
Thomas is excited to be a College-Age Intern for the first time after being an Abiding Fellow in high school. At Brown he is studying International and Public Affairs, History, and Music. Thomas enjoys golf, musical theatre and opera performance. He says this summer is giving him, “the opportunity to grow my improvisational skills each and every day and I am lucky to be surrounded by great people who help me along the way.” Thomas hopes the internship will help to further his experience in directing and producing musicals during Musical Theater Camp this summer.
Scott Jensen
Northern Virginia Community College
Scott enjoys baseball, videos, and music. He is in his third summer working at Abiding Presence and he hopes this summer will help him discover new options for possible career paths. As an intern, Scott says, “I get to experience working in a multifaceted position with lots of new challenges and ways to use my talents.”
Annika Stringer
Freshman, University of Kentucky
Annika loves working at Abiding Presence because, “getting to work alongside my friends and peers to teach the Lord’s way is rewarding, especially growing in faith together.” She likes cheerleading, writing, and going to the gym. A graduate of the Abiding Fellows program, she is off to UK in the fall to study Communications and be on their Stunt Team. This summer Annika hopes to continue learning patience and empathy.
Kevin Glass
Kevin loves to study history and is back at Abiding Presence for his third summer. He loves working at Abiding Presence because of the opportunity it gives him for social interaction.
Carter Jensen
Sophomore, James Madison University
Carter says Abiding Presence is, “a welcoming community that gives me everything I need to be a great teacher.” He is one of our original class of Abiding Fellows, and working on staff for his first summer as a College Age Intern. Carter enjoys fitness and science. He hoping to learn new techniques while teaching in a big group this summer before he heads back to JMU in the fall to study geographic science.
Grace Hanrahan
Senior, George Mason University
This is Grace’s third summer as a College-Age Intern. She loves working at Abiding Presence because, “I get to see my church friends and see kids grow with God.” In her free time, Grace enjoys crochet, reading, watching basketball, and listening to music. This summer she hopes to further her relationship with God and become more prepared for working with children.
Audrey Storey
Freshman, Appalachian State
Audrey just graduated from our Abiding Fellows program and is back for her second summer at Abiding Presence. She says, “I like ebbing to connect to my faith though working with campers and my peers. In her free time, Audrey likes to play guitar and this summer hopes to further her experience working with children.
Natalie Points
University of Pittsburgh Graduate Student
Natalie is back with us for her second summer after learning about us from her college roommate. She says she loves working at Abiding Presence because, “I get to work with and meet so many amazing people!” This summer, Natalie hopes to continue to learn from her experiences so that she can carry that knowledge into her future career. She enjoys baking, reading, running, and traveling.
Ella Ladner
Sophomore, Louisiana State University
Erika Maaseide
2024 Graduate, Lehigh University
Erika said, “I love my Abiding Presence friends and family! Everyone here makes me smile.” This summer Erika is continuing work on a book about our leadership programs for youth and young adults that she started last summer with Pastor Meredith. She hopes to learn more about writing and publishing books this summer. In her free time, Erika likes to read, write and make crafts.
Ella Padgett
Alexa McMillan
Anna King
Logan Holzgrafe
Josh Mayo
Sofie Siefart
