Part I

Definition for Cultural Engagement

DTS values relationships with diverse individuals, cultures, and ideas, resulting in evangelism, dialogue, application, and service that are biblical, courageous, and compassionate.

Goal

I will gain experience engaging with a wider range of people

• I will volunteer with my church’s youth group
• I will participate in all of the group’s activities
• I will minister to the students by engaging them in discussions
• Interviews with women of all different cultures at WNPA

Strategies

• I will attend all events
• I will actively seek out opportunities to speak with students at our weekly whole church gathering outside of the weekly youth group
• I will seek guidance from the youth group leader
• I will seek guidance from my pastor
• I will seek guidance from friends who have teenage kids

Resources

• Friends with teenage kids
• Kids and their parents
• Have lunch with one youth leader

Measures

• I will keep a journal of interactions with students with at least 3 entries by December 2022 and 3 more by May 2023
• I will have attended all of the youth group meetings and events by May 2023.

Part II

Overall Reflection Statement for Cultural Engagement 

For my competence in cultural engagement,  I am submitting a few words which demonstrates that I was able to do accomplish the cultural engagement portion of the internship.

Artifacts With Descriptions

1. I was able to have good conversations with students during youth group. I distinctly remember one conversation with a student who is usually more quiet during group time. She described to me a movie she had seen recently and was very excited about it. I was glad to be an ear to her in a place where she doesn’t normally speak up.

2. I was able to have coffee with the youth group leader. We chatted about the ministry and my overall goals. We also discussed some cultural topics that are generally difficult for me to talk about. He was very helpful in helping me get my thoughts out.

Learning Reflection 

As I developed and demonstrated cultural engagement,  I have learned that I’m much more shy than I anticipated. While I enjoyed hanging out with the students, it was difficult for me to engage with them outside of church. I also didn’t anticipate for my schedule to become so tight that I wasn’t able to meet with any of the parents outside of Sunday gatherings and the end of our youth group meetings.

5.  Lifelong Development Statement

As a result of the experiences documented by these artifacts, I will continue to develop in cultural engagement by connecting with the younger generation more often in the church. Having established relationships with some of the students, I am more able to connect with them and have spiritual conversations.