What will I be doing? What does a normal day look like?
Serving at Betel means being part of the life of our communities. It is about sharing daily life with our residents in every activity, work and devotional times. You will have the opportunity to be an example and to show God’s love in a practical, real and tangible way.
Where will I be living?
Life at Betel is all about living together in community. You will live in one of the Betel centres where the men and women live in separate houses. They live in homes that can generally accommodate anywhere from 10-25 people. The bedrooms are dorms or suites, so you will be sharing a room with others.
How much money will I need?
Compared to many other internship opportunities, Betel is very low cost – practically free if serving at a Betel in your own country. Betel will provide you with free board and lodging as a working member of our community. Then, wherever you choose to serve, you’ll only need to pay for travel to and from Betel, the cost of any visa and health insurance required, and personal out-of-pocket spending money for days off, sightseeing, toiletries, etc.
How should I dress?
We’re pretty casual at Betel. Most of the time jeans and t-shirts are appropriate, especially for work. Since each culture has its own standards regarding what is acceptable, it would be best to discuss this further with the Betel directors of the individual country where you will be serving.
What should I bring?
- Bible and journal
- Working clothes (e.g. t-shirts, jeans) that you don’t mind getting dirty or even ruined
- Tennis shoes/trainers – necessary for some jobs where you will be doing a lot of walking
- Clothes you would wear to church
- Coat or jacket, if needed
- Swimsuit, depending on the time of year and where you are serving
- Converter and adaptors for any electronic items
- Camera
- Passport, driver’s license and money
- Any musical instruments you play
- Photos of family/friends
Once you know which country you will be serving in, it would be best to consult with the leaders there for more specific guidelines on how to dress and other specific things to bring.
Don’t worry about packing sheets, towels and basic toiletries, such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste, as these will be provided by Betel.
Can I bring a laptop, smart phone, tablet, camera, etc?
Yes, you may bring these items and you can use them at the allotted times. However, as an added protection for both you and our residents in recovery (whose access to the internet and social media is restricted), your Betel house leader will lock up all items of value, including your passport and money, in the office upon arrival at your centre.
Is it a safe environment?
Yes. We have created a family atmosphere where Betel is their home. As you build relationships with the Betelitos, you will not see them in light of their past lives, but as worthy individuals whose lives are being restored in the image of God. We make every effort to exercise caution when allowing new men and women to enter our communities, keeping in mind that the safety of those living with us is of utmost importance.
How can I prepare for an internship at Betel?
One of the best ways to prepare for your experience with us is to learn how Betel started and how our ministry operates. There are several books written about Betel and we highly recommend that you read any or all of the following books to gain a better understanding of our ministry, ethos and history.
ES