Mission Internship: Filmmaker with Christian-Muslim Relations Team
Every EMM worker’s primary focus is to make disciples of Jesus. This internship will enhance the Christian-Muslim Relation Team’s (CMRT) mission of demonstrating Jesus’ kingdom in friendship with Muslim people and equipping Christians for such interactions, through the creation of video storytelling resources.
Description
The CMRT, in collaboration with Dove Tale Productions, is seeking a filmmaker to tell the story of a learning journey. A small team will join the Palestine and Israel Solidarity Learning Tour organized by Mennonite Central Committee, May 20-31, 2026. The team is going in response to an invitation from Palestinian Christians to “come and see.” The filmmaking goal is to produce a short documentary that captures the learning and transformation the participants experience in a way that helps them tell their story to their family, friends, and in their home church.
This is a missionary internship. The intern will have a missionary mentor as well as assignments that connect the spiritual journey to the physical work of making a film.
Who
Filmmaker with skills to conceptualize, plan, shoot, and edit a short film.
Responsibilities
- Make a short (12-minute) documentary shooting on location where participants come from, and in Israel / Palestine
- Interview learning journey participants
- Post-production: work remotely from anywhere to edit and complete the film.
Length of Service
2 months (May – June 2026)
May 1-17, 2026 – Write a treatment and interview participants in their home church before the trip.
May 22-31, 2026 – filming at the Christ at the Check Point 2026 conference
June 1-26, 2026 – Post-production. The finished film is due on June 26, ready for participants to show on June 28 in their churches.
Potential Learning Opportunities
- Develop skills in dialogue, witness, peacemaking, and hospitality
- Grow in the development of life-giving relationships with people of other faith backgrounds and bear witness to Jesus Christ.
- Come alongside CMRT team members in their ministry preparations and take advantage of opportunities to observe and apply principles for demonstrating Jesus’ kingdom in friendship with Muslim people and people of other backgrounds
Environment
Palestine and Israel – The land often referred to as the “holy land” is a land of history, beauty and people. The Bible chronicles some of the history of this land and the challenges people faced. Modern-day Palestine and Israel are home to Jews, Christians and Muslims, all of whom claim this land as an integral part of their story. This learning journey focuses on the stories of Palestinian Christ-followers who have lived in this land since the time of Jesus.
Lancaster, Pa. — where CMRT is based — is a semi-rural tourism- and agriculture-based county with a small, thriving city. Over the past decade, Lancaster has become a destination for refugees from many nations; this has significantly altered the demographics of the area. Members of the CMRT are all connected with the Mennonite church, but also relate to multiple mission, academic, and ecumenical circles.
The post-production part of this internship can be completed remotely from anywhere.
Supervisors and colleagues
The mission intern will work with EMM’s Christian/Muslim Relations Team, which includes team leader Jonathan Bornman, Andres Prins, Angie Earl, Michael and Ruth Hershey, and Peter and Christy Sensenig. A mentor will be assigned to provide oversight and accountability to the intern.
Skills and experience
Experience with cinematography, communications, videography and computer technology is required. Applicants should enjoy working behind the scenes in detailed and technical tasks. Sensitive and secure communication about CMRT work is essential due to the nature of the work.
Training
The mission intern will have an orientation to their assignment which will include engaging with CMRT – specific materials (including Allies For Peace videos, Who is My Neighbor? Bible Study, viewing the film Unexpected Peace) and reflecting on learnings with their assigned mentor. These materials will be formative for shaping the way he/she makes the film for this learning journey assignment.
College credit/internship requirements
EMM will work with each intern and their college to ensure that college internship requirements are met.
Funding and Compensation
Travel, food, and lodging for the internship will be covered, and the mission intern will receive a stipend of $3,000 that is covered through the combination of CMRT funds and contributions from their church community. Upon approval, interns will send a letter to their church, friends, and family to invite them into this process of raising the funds needed for this missionary internship. Amount to raise: $6200 (This covers the $3000 stipend + $1700 learning tour + $1500 airfare). The Intern must at a minimum give a letter to their church and to their family, inviting them to help fund this missionary internship.
If housing is needed, EMM will work with the intern and their church community to explore options.