internships

Cross-Cultural Ministry Internship
First Nations Canada (Childcare-Focused)

This internship immerses you in a remote Ojibwe First Nation community in Northwest Ontario, Canada, serving alongside To Every Tribe missionaries engaged in long-term, relational ministry. While this community has experienced years of gospel presence and the recent planting of an indigenous church, the work remains slow, relational, and deeply integrated into everyday life.

A central purpose of this internship is for the intern to develop practical experience in cross-cultural ministry by living life alongside a missionary family and serving them in tangible, everyday ways — with a primary emphasis on providing childcare. By stepping into a supportive, behind-the-scenes role, the intern enables long-term missionaries to focus on discipleship, language learning, pastoral care, and the slow work of church formation in a highly relational context.

Rather than operating independently or leading programming, the intern joins the rhythms of missionary family life in a remote setting, learning firsthand how ministry, family sustainability, and presence are deeply intertwined. This internship is designed to cultivate humility, faithfulness, cultural sensitivity, and a realistic understanding of long-term missionary life in an Indigenous context.

Ministry Context

The internship takes place in a small, fly-in Ojibwe First Nation community of approximately 700 people in Northwest Ontario. Community life is shaped by geographic isolation, deep family ties, historical trauma, and ongoing social challenges. Language use varies across generations, with some elders speaking primarily Ojibwe, while younger generations primarily speak English.

To Every Tribe missionaries have served in this community for nearly a decade, with a strong emphasis on relational presence, children’s ministry, discipleship, and the recent establishment of an indigenous-led church. Ministry happens slowly and organically through shared life, trust-building, and long-term commitment rather than through programs or events alone.

Because of the intensity and isolation of life in this context, supporting the health and sustainability of the missionary family is mission-critical. Childcare plays a vital role in freeing missionaries to invest deeply in ministry preparation, pastoral care, and relationship-building that cannot be rushed or fragmented.

Internship Details

Location:

Northwest Ontario, Canada
(remote Ojibwe First Nation community)

Dates:

Flexible
(May-June but could start earlier if available)

Compensation:
Paid internship through personal support raising (expenses covered)

Key Responsibilities & Activities

Intern responsibilities will be shaped in conversation with field leadership based on gifting, capacity, and ministry needs. However, the internship has a clear service emphasis.

Primary Focus: Childcare & Family Support

Providing consistent, reliable childcare for the missionary family as a core ministry role

Caring for children during designated times throughout the week to allow missionaries to focus on discipleship, teaching, community relationships, and church leadership development

Supporting the overall health and sustainability of the missionary family through a behind-the-scenes but essential role

Participating in daily family rhythms with humility, flexibility, and a servant-hearted posture

Learning what long-term missionary life looks like in a remote Indigenous context, including the challenges, limits, and joys of incarnational ministry

Secondary Ministry Exposure (as appropriate)

Observing or occasionally assisting with children’s or youth-related community activities alongside missionaries

Participating in everyday community life (meals, events, informal gatherings) as invited

Gaining exposure to relational discipleship and indigenous church life through proximity rather than leadership

Secondary involvement will always remain secondary to the primary childcare role.

This internship is intentionally flexible. Specific schedules, projects, and time commitments will be clarified once an applicant demonstrates serious interest and alignment with the field.

Qualifications

  • Genuine interest in cross-cultural missions and long-term church planting
  • Experience with childcare and comfortable caring for young children
  • Trustworthiness, reliability, and emotional maturity appropriate for family-based ministry
  • Humility, teachability, and a servant-hearted posture
  • Ability to live closely with a missionary family and respect household rhythms, boundaries, and expectations
  • Flexibility and resilience in isolated, unfamiliar cultural and relational environments
  • Willingness to serve faithfully in a role that is often unseen but deeply impactful

What You’ll Gain

  • Firsthand experience in Indigenous cross-cultural missions
  • Exposure to the realities of long-term missionary family life in a remote setting
  • Mentorship from experienced missionaries serving among First Nations communities
  • Deeper understanding of personal calling, gifting, and readiness for long-term missions
  • Opportunity to discern next steps in cross-cultural ministry pathways

How to Apply

Text:
To Every Tribe Mobilization at (630) 657-0330
Email:

info@toeverytribe.org

Submit your resume by email or text and begin a conversation about serving with To Every Tribe.