Applications for the 2026 Taste & See Internship Program are due March 1. Read a reflection from Natalie Wilhelm on her experience in the program.

When I first began discerning a call to ministry, I knew what a pastor did on Sundays but had no idea what the daily rhythms of church life looked like. Nevertheless, a curiosity about where God might be leading me continued to deepen as I considered what a career in ministry could look like. I was encouraged to apply to Taste & See by a mentor and took the chance to explore my vocational calling firsthand by being placed in a local church for the summer.

Over the course of my 10 full-time weeks, I explored nearly every aspect of the life of the church. I went on pastoral care visits, attended church meetings, helped run kids’ camps, led liturgy, and preached several times. I was poured into spiritually by the staff while also getting the opportunity to serve the congregation. The work wasn’t always glamorous, but each experience taught me something new.

Throughout the summer, I learned so much about both myself and the wider church, leaning more fully into my calling and beginning to appreciate the rich traditions that shape the church. I shared my experiences with my fellow interns during our scheduled reflection times, and as we grew together, many of them became lifelong friends.

By the end of my internship, the staff and the congregation felt like family. The church I was placed at became my home over the summer and continues to support me as I walk in discernment. Overall, Taste & See was a formative experience that allowed me to witness and partake in the fullness of pastoral ministry and is a time I carry with me as I continue on my journey.