“Ecumenical movement provides hope”

The ecumenical movement creates “more ways to know God,” says Laura Gomez, the newest intern with the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).

“Participating in the ecumenical movement is an opportunity that all believers should take advantage of,” says Gomez, a member of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. “It gives a message of hope to all the churches to leave the rivalries aside and understand what God’s word says in Galatians 3:28: ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.'”

Gomez already has ample experience in the ecumenical movement, having represented her denomination several times to the Presbytery of Seattle (USA) and served as a steward at the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany. She is also an elder in her home congregation.

Her decision to apply for the WCRC internship program was a combination of this passion with her studies in international business. “Working for the WCRC puts into practice my knowledge at the administrative level, learning a little more about how the churches and ecumenical entities move and above all and most importantly for me, fulfilling my work in the name of God,” she says.

“As a young woman and active member of a church, I would like to learn a little more about the theological and economic work that is being done with young people and women in the ecumenical/religious field,” she says.

“I am aware of the great problem that churches are experiencing today worldwide due to the lack of young people and their lack of interest in these spaces, which for me, is very important on a spiritual level because they are people formed in body and soul,” Gomez says. “I would like to see what innovative ideas can be presented to call the youth to the churches, so that they feel that they are in a safe place and to debate an important topic such as the economic crisis and the impact that these can cause in the future of the youth and how to combat them.”

In her year as an intern, Gomez hopes “to grow professionally and spiritually” and be presented with “many opportunities to continue working with this beautiful team feeling the presence of God every day, every hour, every moment.”

She’s also already planning the next steps in her life: “After I finish studying my career in international business, I would like to study theology to interpret the Bible in a more professional way, expand my knowledge about religions, and improve my preaching for when I have to preach in church.”

The WCRC internship program gives highly qualified young people an opportunity to gain valuable experience working with an international ecumenical organization. As part of the program’s leadership development goals, interns are given a variety of experiences and responsibilities within the WCRC. They provide project assistance for program offices, participate fully in staff teams, and are assigned executive-level projects for completion.

The program is sponsored by the Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW), as well as donations from member churches.