My year so far has been challenging to say the least. From August until now in February, I can honestly say I am a totally different person. I came into this year prideful, self-sufficient, and a closed off person. But through a lot of long nights of prayer and many hard lessons from the Lord, I have been learning to be humble, completely reliant on the LORD and open to my sisters.

I have learned the healthy way to have friendships with guys and girls alike. The girls in my core are more then just girls… they are women that encourage me to pursue God with everything within. My Core Advisor has taught me so much this year. She has named our core “refined” and it really has described my year. I believe God really knew what he was doing when he placed me in Refined. He planned to take me through the fire this year, causing all the stuff from my past to rise to the top and then through gentle love and patience helping me deal with it through prayer and the word. I cannot imagine my year without being in this core! They are such an essential part to my internship.

Through the classes and Wednesday Night Services, my eyes have been opened to the world around me. I really have sought the Lord this year and “…He rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb 6:11) The Lord has shown me a vision for my life and my future and now it is up to me to be obedient and submit to that vision, even though sometimes it seems a lot bigger than what I can do. He has been faithful to hear me when ever I am in need. Being here grew me up mentally, but pressing into the Lord and making the most of my internship has grown me up spiritually. I really am blessed to be here, to know that the Lord planned this from the beginning. 

They say hindsight is twenty twenty, and I have found no basis to refuse this. You would not expect to find the intensity that the Honor Academy allows for in the humble town of Garden Valley Texas. From who I was before I took a deep breath and arrived on campus, and who I am now looking back on that day, one might say its frighteningly encouraging! I have found as Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good”, that the Lord is truly good, in ways only experiencing Him can explain. I would be a fool to ignore how faithful the Lord has been in my life. As the Honor Academy has provided a catalyst for immense growth and increasing courage, I start to understand how impossible it is to escape the immeasurable love the Lord has for his children. It may seem backwards, but the more I let go of myself, more I find who I am in Christ, and as His glory is revealed, darkness has not choice but to recede from the depths of my heart. I have had the privilege of serving along side passionate individuals anywhere from seventeen to sixty years of age seeking earnestly after the heart of God. It is a rare thing to have genuine, godly friendships with men, but especially women, as this seems have taken a back seat role in my generation. I am honored to be advancing His Kingdom purposefully and forcefully along side those who without a doubt will be life long friends of mine, not only on this earth, and for all eternity!

I could write until my hands grow tired, and I am unable to move them about how the Lord has and is revealing to me that life is not a problem to fix, as if by our own power this can be accomplished. Rather it is an adventure to live, and to live with eternity in mind!

-Ryan Jones

(Ryan is now a graduate intern at the HA and is now a Core Advisor bravely leading his very own group of godly men at the internship.)

As I am about to graduate my first year of the internship I look back over the past few months and at myself today and can see the immense transformation that has taken place in my life. I have not only just grown in myself and knowing my identity in Christ, but have been awakened to the heartbeat of God in a new way allowing His plans and dreams to be lived out in my life. The relationships I have developed are ones I would have never experienced anywhere else. These men and women hunger for God and His Word with such reverence that it is evident that God is the very mediator of each relationship here. As a whole, the Lord has used the Honor Academy to help prepare the way for Gods children to advance His kingdom by healing each heart and casting vision and discipline into their lives like never before!

Melissa Payne - August Intern (Soon to be a Graduate Intern Core Advisor)

Here is my Core Advisor and my sisters, we are Devoted! Shout out to my brother core the Brotherhood (not pictured)!

A man named Walter Trobisch once said “God has the film of my whole life in
view and not just the snapshot of my present situation.” This quote was so
powerful to me the first time I read it. I’ve found that it has exemplified
my experience in my first six months here at this internship. It’s amazing
to watch as God, even now, is writing my life. He’s not just taking the
snapshot of what’s happening now, but is truly looking to write the film of
all that He’s called me to be. I want to talk about the four pillars of the Honor Academy and how they have dramatically changed my life:

WISDOM: Mike, my core advisor, has become my best friend. He has great
knowledge of the Word and plenty of Scripture committed to memory. He knows
how to be silly and have a good time, but he also knows when to buckle down
and get serious. With his own story of restoration and redemption, he is
very relatable and knows how to deal with all sorts of issues.

I’ve learned and retained a lot of information from the classes here at the
Honor Academy. Character Development was instrumental in the discovering
God’s purpose and desire for my life. Trailer Club has renewed my
relationship with my dad. Worldview has opened my eyes to the modern world
of war and belief conflict.

VISION: This internship has significantly changed the role of Christ in my
everyday life, given me lasting and Godly friendships, and enabled me to
discover more about God’s purpose for my life.

Before I came to the Honor Academy, I had no specific direction for my life.
Since I’ve been here, God has revealed to me that I am eventually called to
be a speaker to young people (mobilizer). My heart is to travel throughout
the United States and speak to them about living a life motivated by
purpose. I feel that I have some stepping stones that will lead me to that
eventual goal. I know that I am going to be a sender and support
missionaries financially after I go to college.

DISCIPLINE: My accountability partner is Ben, a fellow August that is
in my room. I know that I can share anything with him or confess something
trusting completely that He’s a good friend who cares about me enough to
help me stay on the right track.

I was a caller for the Greater New York City Area BattleCry for the first
six months of my internship. I was truly blessed by it and was thankful to
be a part of all that God is doing in the NYC area. My new ministry
placement is in the Global Expeditions call center. I look forward to
learning from past mistakes and utilizing every possible moment in GE.

LEADERSHIP: I’ve embraced the standard of a leader in more ways than one. Myquiet times have been consistent and I’ve kept up with the Bible Reading
Plan. My friendships have been amazing. I’ve never been around so many Godly
men and women who are so fun to be around.
Going back to the opening quote, you wouldn’t buy a roll of film and get it developed after taking a few pictures. Granted, those pictures may be great shots, but there’s so much potential in the unused portion. It would be a shame to waste the remainder of the roll for only a couple pictures. I’ve grown a great deal since arriving at the Honor Academy, but God is not through with my time here. I plan on becoming a Graduate Intern and look forward to taking some great snapshots in my future here at Teen Mania.

Zack Brewer | August Intern