Twice a year, in January and July, we welcome new interns to our team to come and work with us for a whole year to learn more about Biblical Counseling and receive training to help other hurting women. Our interns are able to sit in on counseling sessions and play a huge part in our residents’ lives as they work closely with them. Our interns are an amazing blessing to us, and it is always so neat to see who God brings our way. Currently we have a team of 10 interns. Two of those interns started in January, while the other eight officially started just a few weeks ago! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring intern introductions on our blog, so you can be encouraged by God’s work in and through these ladies. Today, you can hear from Stephanie!
My name is Stephanie Voetberg, I’m 25 years old and I’m from Grand Rapids, MI. Before Vision of Hope, I was working at a residential treatment center for troubled teenagers in East Texas. I recently got engaged and am currently planning a wedding in my spare time. I love traveling, and enjoy taking pictures on my adventures. I’m a big fan of coffee and enjoy spending time with people.
I accepted Christ as savior when I was 5 years old. I grew up going to church and was very blessed to have been born and raised in a home where both my parents loved Jesus. When I was 18 years old I moved to Schroon Lake, NY and attended Word of Life Bible Institute to study Gods word for two years. It was at Word of Life where I surrendered my life to Christ. I told the Lord, “All that I am, all that I have, all that I ever hope to be I now and forever surrender my life to you.” Since then God has used me all over the world to point others to himself. I had the privilege of serving at an orphanage in Honduras for 8 months, I’ve worked with kids of all ages at Word of Life summer camps for 5 summers, and I’ve also worked with struggling girls the last few years, trying to point them to the only one who can save them, Jesus Christ. Jesus changed my life and I want others to know him personally.
How did you hear about the VOH internship? Why were you interested in coming here to serve for a year?
I heard about Vision of Hope through a girl I met at Word of Life. She did the VOH internship for one year and told me it changed her life. She knew I was passionate about this type of work so she encouraged me to apply. What drew me to Vision of Hope was when I heard they offer biblical counseling to women who are struggling with self-harm, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders and unplanned pregnancies. I know that God’s word has the answers to everything and I wanted to be a part of a ministry where they don’t keep quiet about the Bible.
If we had a fun themed day at VOH, what would you want the theme to be and why?
If we had a fun themed day at VOH, I would want the theme to be a “High school musical” theme, so we can sing and dance all day!
How have you grown in the last 6 months? What are you looking forward to for this next 6 months?
I’ve been at Vision of Hope for six months now and I’ve already learned so much. I’ve learned how to help resolve conflict biblically, I’ve learned how to better share Gods word with others, and I’m also currently learning how to truly love these girls the way Jesus does. I hope to continue to learn more about biblical counseling and would like to work towards receiving my ACBC certification in the time I have left here.
We have been blessed by Stephanie’s joyful service these past 6 months and are thankful to have her continue learning and serving here until January. If you are interested in joining our team as an intern, or to receive more information about our internship program, click here.
