Nathan Powell’s internship can be summarized in three M’s: Media, Music, and Ministry.
The senior is splitting his time between Grace Church in Lansing and the Lansing Performing Arts Center. At the performing arts center, Nathan works closely with his dad, Tony Powell, and helps to create and set up spaces for music performance.
“I’m looking at what defines the best acoustics of the room, what’s the best acoustic foam. I’m looking at all the tech stuff that we have, and what should plug into what,” Nathan said, explaining that the space occupied by the performing arts center was once a music college.
Nathan is also working closely with Grace Church Pastor Steven Harrison. He’s helped format on-screen lyrics for Sunday morning worship, take photos at church functions, develop church graphics, and help run the sound board. Additionally, Nathan has gone with Pastor Harrison on pastoral visits.
“When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a pastor, and that is still my end goal. All these things I’m doing along the way are helping me get toward that goal of pastoring, or even evangelizing,” Nathan said.
“I’ve learned you can’t be too old or too young to be in ministry,” he said. “You just have to do. And you have to have the hand of God in you, and the willingness and approval of God to do.”
The coolest thing Nathan has done: At a recent unity service with another congregation, Nathan was Pastor Harrison's “armor bearer,” helping with anything he needed during a long day of preaching and pastoring.
The hardest thing about the internship: Keeping a constant flow of Bible study alongside Pastor Harrison has been a challenge for Nathan. “The study is more complex than I’m used to, but I do manage and get it done. It’s something I’m very interested in,” he said.