Meet the intern: Katrina Layman

My name is Katrina Layman, and I have had the immense pleasure of being a part of the DiscipleMakers internship this summer.  As an Information Sciences and Technology (IST) major at Penn State I am required to be involved in an internship before I graduate.  God really provided for me with DiscipleMakers.  I was originally only looking for an internship that was technology focused, but when I was informed that the Systems Department in the DiscipleMakers Headquarters was offering positions to work with them as an intern, I jumped at the opportunity.  For me, it is the ideal job: to actively strengthen my relationship with God while working with the technology that will help me in my future career.

God is teaching me so much through this internship!  The first two weeks worked at the Helpdesk with Jason Maas, and it was the perfect opportunity for me to grow in my walk with Christ!  I’ve learned so much about how to care for and serve others.  1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”  This has been my “go-to" verse this summer.  God has given me the gift of understanding technology, and He has opened the doors for me to be a part of DiscipleMakers and use that gift to serve those around me. 

In the college of IST, we refine the art of managing and organizing information.  One unique way to serve the ministry with this training is to apply it to the DM staff website, a site used by the staff for internal communication and training.  Under Brian Roberg’s direction, I am running a card sorting exercise in which I have asked various staff members to participate in.  Obtaining the results of their feedback will help lay the groundwork in the restructuring of the website.  Through this exercise God has been growing me in humility.  I was having a difficult time approaching people that I didn’t know as well, but I was shown that I have nothing to fear by the grace of God and the encouragement from the staff members. 

DiscipleMakers Staff and students live and breathe by Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”  This verse surrounds and encompasses everything we do.  The thing that attracts me the most to DM is the family atmosphere.  They care so much about each member of the ‘family,’ and that is one of the main reasons that I believe DM has grown so much over the years.  The kind of fellowship I receive here I haven’t found anywhere else and I am very grateful for it.  When I’m in the office I don’t even feel like I am at work; I feel like I’m at a theme park.  Every day in the Headquarters has been an exciting adventure, and I wake up every morning with the anticipation of going back.

If you want to find out more about opportunities like this one with DiscipleMakers visit the DiscipleMakers Events web page!