2023 Preaching Ministry Interns

An important piece of the Northwest School of Discipleship is a paid summer Preaching Ministry internship for young men currently training for ministry. The NWSD internship program comes alongside established ministry training schools to provide students with hands on practical experience in a congregational context in the beautiful but challenging Pacific Northwest.

This summer, the internship program consists of a cohort of five interns based at different partnering churches. Interns work primarily at their host congregation and receive hands on supervision and mentoring from the preaching minister. The interns also develop a bond with one another by meeting together weekly for prayer, study, worship, and fellowship at the NWSD Director’s home in Salem.

Meet the Interns

Clay Smith

Clay, 23, is a second-year graduate student at Freed-Hardeman University. His hometown is Lewistown, Montana. Clay earned a BS in Agricultural engineering from Mississippi State University where he was an active part of the University Christian Center. While there, God put on his heart a desire for the Word and a desire to share Christ with others. Clay served as a summer intern in 2022 with the NWSD based at the Grant Street Church of Christ in Lebanon, Oregon. This summer he will be serving as the lead NWSD intern based at the Southwest Church of Christ under the supervision of Darren Williamson.

Thomas Yukich

Thomas, 20, is a Junior Bible Major at Freed-Hardeman University. His hometown is Davidson, North Carolina. Thomas served as summer intern with the NWSD in 2021 and 2022 and was based at the Southwest Church of Christ. Thomas’ love for the Church, people, and earnest desire to serve God is evident to all who have met him and heard him speak. This summer, Thomas will work with the Washougal Church of Christ (just outside Vancouver, Washington) under the supervision of seasoned pulpit minister, Dale Linge.

Mitch Rohrback

Mitch, 19, is a Freshman Bible & Family Ministry major at Harding University. His hometown is Hillsboro, Oregon, and he grew up attending the Southwest Church of Christ. Mitch served as a student leader in Project Antioch in 2021-22 and through it developed a heart for ministry. This summer, Mitch will be the NWSD intern based at the Redmond Church of Christ in Redmond, Oregon. He will work under the supervision of Kevin Williams, a long-time minister and missionary.

Parker Hanssen

Parker, 21, is a Junior Bible major at Freed-Hardeman University. He was raised in the Salem area and is a member of the Keizer Church of Christ. Until recently, Parker was on a path to becoming an engineer but a strong desire to study the Bible and share God with others has led him to pursue a degree in Biblical studies. This summer, Parker will be the NWSD intern based at the Oregon City Church of Christ in Oregon City. He will work alongside the three ministers on church staff and receive supervision from Ron Murphy, who has preached for the Oregon City congregation for more than three decades.

Matthew Smith

Matthew Smith, 23, is a Freshman Bible major at Harding University. A native of Arkansas, Matthew spent a couple years in the Navy after High School before giving himself to Christ and deciding to pursue a life of ministry. This summer, Matthew will be the NWSD intern based at the Hazel Dell Church of Christ in Vancouver, Washington. He will work under the supervision of Mark Thiesen, who served as a missionary in Malawi, and for the last 8+ years as the preacher for the Hazel Dell congregation. Matthew and his wife Ariel are excited about spending the summer in the Pacific Northwest for this internship.