Never the same

For the 2025–2026 Advance year, Matthew Baugher and Genie* are both serving as staff interns. They shared the following reflections on their experiences coming back to serve as staff interns after serving as Advance participants in earlier years.

Stepping Out in Leadership

After doing my outreach with Advance in eastern Germany two years ago, I had stirrings in my heart of coming back to staff at some point. This past June, I made that decision. It was a step of faith in the direction I sensed God leading me.

I have experienced many joys since training started in September, but difficult times too. Leading others has invited me to look straight into my shortcomings that hinder me –and the team – from following Jesus. I’ve learned how important it is for me to receive God’s love, and allow His love to lead me in love to those around me.

My team has spent most of outreach in western Thailand. Some highlights include the things of daily life, like riding motos around, and eating delicious Myanmar food. Fellowshipping with local believers has also been an incredible blessing to the team, and has provided opportunities to learn Myanmar songs (sometimes with choreography) and share encouragements from God’s word during group gatherings.

All in all, being in a cross-cultural context again – and being a leader this time – has given me opportunities to step out of my comfort zone and invite others to do the same. Through the highs and lows of the journey, we trust God’s love to make us more into the image of his Son, Jesus.

— Matthew Baugher, 2025–2026 Advance Staff Intern

Keep Your Eyes Focused on Jesus Through it All

The slogan for Advance is that “Your life will never be the same.” I can say that was my experience with the program. I had such a transformative year and grew so much in my relationship with God and my love of another culture. When the idea came up about coming back to be an intern, I was really interested. However, I wasn’t too sure if that was where God was leading me. While I was interested, I was still waiting to see where God was calling me to spend the next year. I finally made my decision to come back. The piece that finalized my decision was the people. I had so many amazing people from EMM help and encourage me as I learned and grew over my year in Advance. I was far from home, and facing challenges I never thought I would be experiencing. However, the whole time, I had so many people walking with me and supporting me through it all. I knew that I wanted to be that person for someone else and help them navigate their own new experiences.

Coming back as an intern has been so different. I have been able to work on an amazing staff that have led some amazing young adults. I have gained so much from coming back this year. I have gotten to reconnect with people from all the different communities I was a part of last year. I have also led classes or two and participated in a lot of the decision-making process. I have also participated in specific classes for the Advance staff interns that have allowed me to grow. Many of them focused on practical leadership skills. This past year, I have learned so much about being a leader and have been encouraged and supported by the people around me.

The best advice I have to give, and something I have reminded myself over and over again during this last year, is to “keep your eyes focused on Jesus through it all.” I would also share, “In the good and the bad, remain focused on Him and He will guide you through it all.” I constantly look to Him in the challenges and the hardships, for strength and to be reminded of His faithfulness. In the good and joyful moments, I am reminded to be thankful for all He has given me. Even after this past year, my life has changed so much. I have seen growth in myself and the people around me. This wasn’t my plan for my year, but it was God’s. I would not want it any other way.

For young adults who join Advance, I have truly seen, “God will use you in the most unexpected ways and show you amazing things.” During the last two years, I have seen that more than ever. Coming back has been one of my best decisions and I can truly say, “My life will never be the same.”

— Genie*, 2025–2026 Advance Staff Intern