(May 25, 2012 - by Ty Mays and Ralph Kurtenbach) Some will get Christian athletes to answer questions before a microphone at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Others will rely upon that international language-the smile-because they can't communicate in the languages of Quichua or Shuar (in Ecuador) or perhaps Akan or Ewe (in Ghana).

A nursing intern in the 2011 program takes vital signs from a patient at a clinic in Ghana. Last summer's group saw more than 200 patients a day.

Who are they? They're the student interns who've pledged their skills and abilities for the summer with HCJB Global. And with the 44 young adults who've signed up for hands-on ministry opportunities on four continents, the outreach is geared for new achievements.

If that happens, it will be a byproduct of the main objective which is the spiritual formation of young lives. That's why mentoring is central to the mission's internship program.

Many of the students will serve in cross-cultural settings while others are in the U.S. The summer program is part of the ministry's commitment to teaching and equipping Christians worldwide with skills in healthcare, emerging media and engineering.

Helping with clean water projects in the Amazon … making videos of ministries in Ecuador … learning how to use radio in evangelistic outreach. These are just some of the projects before this enthusiastic group.

Erin King takes her turn at the microphone in a training session for the 2011 summer interns at partner Radio Worldwide's facilities in Leeds, U.K.

"These internships are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for college-age adults to discover that the technical skills they have been acquiring can be used in the expansion of God's kingdom," said Ellie Brecunier, HCJB Global's international new media coordinator.

Last year's participants had their eyes opened to missions in a way they hadn't seen before, as evidenced by 2011 intern Shogo Matsuki who served at the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind.

"I used to think building houses and facilities might be the only way to use my engineering education for Christ," wrote Matsuki. "However, the HCJB Global Technology Center is full of technologically savvy missionaries. Their skills are used in many media-related technologies such as antennas and radios."

Mentored this summer by missionaries, 11 students in Elkhart will work on projects in fields as diverse as digital radio technology, development of power protection monitors, video documentation of ministries in Ecuador, and audio projects aimed at direct evangelism.

Seven "Spirit of the Games" participants will assist Planet Sport, a digital media ministry serving at the Olympic Games in London, developing skills in video, social media and storytelling in a dynamic, partnership-driven environment. Two of them speak Spanish and will provide content to media in Latin America.

Interns from last summer's program in Ecuador stand in and beside a section of the miles of hand-dugpipe trench for the Lirio San José water system.

Five "Eternal Impact" interns will study at HCJB Global's ministry partner Radio Worldwide facilities in Leeds, England, learning spiritual development and the practical application of radio ministry from professionals in the field.

Fourteen students will take part in the "Engage" Latin America program, working in the mission's hospitals in Ecuador, assisting with clean-water projects in rural areas, and translating resource materials into Spanish.

In the West African country of Ghana, a team of eight called Akomo Ntoso ("Linked Hearts") will take part in a mobile medical clinic outreach in remote villages and orphanages with partner ministry Theovision.

"I'm so impressed by the quality of the interns participating in our program this year," said Andrew Mazzella, HCJB Global's student internship coordinator. "Not only are they excellent students, they have a heart to use their gifts and talents to honor God and serve others. This could very well be the first step the Lord uses to lead these young people into full-time ministry and active participation in the missions program of their local churches."

All the slots for this summer's internship are full, and Mazzella suggests that young adults ages 18-26 apply early if they are interested in next year's program. For details visit www.hcjb.org/summer.

Sources: HCJB Global, InChrist Communications