Koinonia is an intentional Christian community founded in 1942, modeled after the Early Church as described in the Acts of the Apostles. We welcome applications to our Internship Program from adults of all backgrounds—people of all faiths, those struggling with faith, and those with no faith. Interns can be at any stage of life: right after high school, during a gap year in college, after graduation, changing careers mid-life, or even retired. Married couples, couples with children, and single parents with children are all welcome to apply.
The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. —Clarence Jordan
Our internship is far from conventional. While interns do participate in a variety of work assignments, this is not strictly a “work” or “farm” internship. It’s holistic, immersing you in the rhythm of our shared life of prayer, work, study, service, and fellowship. Most people live their lives within some form of community, even if it’s just with one other person. We hope those who intern with us take what they learn and experience here into whatever community they find themselves in next.
Internship terms are seasonal: February to May, June to August, and September to December. After completing a seasonal internship, if invited and interested, you may apply for a one-year term.
The program is built around three core components: Education, Spiritual Growth, and Service.
Educational: Interns meet regularly for study sessions based on five core themes that correspond to Koinonia’s pillars: prayer/spirituality/Scripture [prayer], hospitality [work], sustainable farming [study], social justice [service], and community [fellowship]. Study sessions are discussion-based, guided by assigned readings, podcasts, or films. A curriculum sample is here.
Spiritual: Interns live the rhythm of our daily life alongside us. Each day begins with chapel, and on Sundays, we gather for worship. While we are an intentional Christian community, we do not proselytize. There is ample opportunity for immersion in Christian prayer practices, and we also explore spiritual traditions from various backgrounds. Walking in nature, sharing fellowship, and breaking bread together—these are regular spiritual practices at Koinonia that bring us closer to one another and the Divine.
Service: Interns primarily serve on the farm, with work depending on the season, but our ministry extends beyond the fields. Interns assist in our key ministries—hospitality, the internship program, and sustainable farming—but there are also opportunities to engage in off-farm service. Koinonia is involved with immigration issues, supporting detainees, corresponding with prisoners, serving at the local food pantry, and much more. On occasion, we participate in Habitat for Humanity or Fuller Center for Housing builds—both of which were born at Koinonia. Our service is intentionally flexible, allowing us to meet the needs of the time with the resources we have.
The internship begins with a week-long orientation, which includes learning about Koinonia’s history and understanding the rhythm of our daily life together. Koinonia provides:
- Housing
- A common meal at noon on weekdays (we often have common meals at other times; these are announced).
- Basic groceries for other meals (a highly popular leftover fridge is available for interns, members, and guests).
- A small, modest cash stipend for those who may need it.
For applicants who are still in school, Koinonia will work with your educational institution so you can receive credit for fulfilling course requirements. We have partnerships with several institutions of higher learning and are happy to build more. See Internship Partners below.
Questions? Email us at [email protected], and we’ll schedule a time to call. Better yet, fill out the interest form below, and we’ll respond with additional information. To learn more about Koinonia, take a look at our brief history. For more details, read the FAQs about the internship program.
You Can’t Be an Intern, But Want to Help Those Who Want to Be?
Here’s how you can support Koinonia’s mission by sponsoring an intern:
Sponsor an Intern
With a tax-deductible gift of $1,800, you’ll cover the costs for an intern for a month. A full-season internship (three months) is $5,400; a year-long internship costs $21,600. Your support covers housing, utilities, food, outings, study materials, and a stipend—everything an intern needs to make the most of their time here. If you’d like, you can make this gift in honor or memory of someone special, whether it’s a loved one, a friend, or even a current or former intern. We’re glad to send a personal note to the person you’re honoring or to the family of someone you’re memorializing.
Support Starting an Endowment
The internship program has been part of Koinonia since the beginning, and we hope to keep it thriving well into the future. Setting up an endowment fund will help ensure this. Visit our donate page to explore how you can leave a lasting legacy through options like wills, bequests, or gifts of real estate.
Make a General Donation to Support the Internship Program
Not ready to sponsor an intern or help found an endowment but still want to lend a hand? A general donation goes a long way in keeping this program strong and open to those called to participate.
Internship Partners
Those interning at Koinonia Farm come from all walks of life, but students attending the following institutions, if they so choose, receive academic credit and fulfill other requirements upon completing their internship at Koinonia.
Koinonia is interested in building partnerships with other academic institutions. Please contact us for more information.
