Known for their charisma and leadership, our Interns are a team of experienced TeenPacters who commit to serve and travel with us for six months. These young men and women have proven themselves to be capable leaders, humble servants, involved citizens and dedicated followers of Jesus Christ.

Interns go through a rigorous interview and evaluation process where we test their limits, examine their strengths and seek to highlight their unique giftings. Program Directors some of our former Interns who excelled at directing classes, leading staff teams and representing TeenPact. Together, they lead a team of local and regional staff who both execute and breathe life into the curriculum  of our state classes.

Would you like to meet our team of folks leading our classes this year?

Interns and Program Directors (January 2012)

2012 Program Directors

	Born and raised in the Republic of Texas, Nathan Baber attended his first TeenPact State Class in 2007. Through the ministry that has given him so much, he now seeks to give back. After serving TeenPact as an Intern in 2011, Nathan is excited to return as a Program Director for the 2012 season. As much as he enjoys training others in servant-leadership and the political process, his greatest desire is to encourage each student to grow closer to Christ. He is looking forward to working with the amazing 2012 Intern Team, and can’t wait to see all God will do. When not wearing a coat and tie, Nathan enjoys a large variety of activities including skiing/snowboarding, gymnastics, debate, theatrical sword fighting, long-distance running, frisbee, and hanging out with his friends. But best of all he likes to spend time with his family of seven (and four dogs) on their ranch in Whitehouse, Texas.
	Quinton Cools was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, the fifth of nine children. Even though four of his five older siblings staffed TeenPact events, Quinton wasn’t so sure about the idea. He attended the state class and TeenPact Survival, and thereafter knew God was leading him to be involved in the ministry. Through Worldview Academy, study in Apologetics, forensics, and TeenPact, Quinton has grown much in his faith and in leadership ability. Quin loves leading worship, playing sports, and having deep conversations with friends and strangers. Quinton wants to point people toward the Savior and always tries to keep eternity in perspective. He is excited about what God has in store for so many people this coming season in the TeenPact ministry.
	Vincent Randazzo gained a strong passion for youth ministries several years ago, and is honored to be serving with TeenPact as a full-time Program Director. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but he considers Orlando, Florida his hometown after living there for the past 12 years. With his parents working as full-time, financially-supported missionaries in central Florida his entire life, Vincent has learned how to trust the Lord through many storms … spiritually and literally! His favorite hobbies include ultimate frisbee, volley-ball, and playing the piano. Vincent loves his family immensely; he has two wonderful parents and six siblings (five brothers and one beautiful sister). Vincent has had the privilege of being a part of many organizations over the past couple years (including TeenPact, Worldview Academy, and Summit Ministries), but TeenPact will always remain his favorite. He quickly grew a passion for this ministry after attending his first state class back in 2008. Vincent is thrilled to be returning and is eagerly anticipating what God is going to do this season!
	Nathan Tifft hails from the great Republic of Texas, but was born in the greater state of Oklahoma where he claims his citizenship. Nathan is a man of complete wonder and mystery. He has tried his hand in pretty much everything under the sun. He loves anything that brings out his artistic abilities (sculpting, graphic design, and painting) and he hopes to go into a field that complements those abilities. Nathan is a huge sports fan and has played a little bit of everything throughout his life. Nathan and his family have been involved with TeenPact since 2001. He attended his first state class in 2005, and, well, was not a huge fan. But, he decided to give it another shot (a.k.a. his parents made him go back) and he loved it! He later went on to staff and realized his love for teaching and helping teens grow in their knowledge and experience in government. He has a passion for government and hopes to run for a state office someday in the future. Nathan is really excited to see what God has in store for this upcoming year.

2012 Interns

	Garrett Blaising is the second of four children to Sonny and Debi Blaising. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama, where he enjoys soccer, rock climbing, and playing an assortment of stringed instruments. Garrett attended his first four-day state class in the spring of 2008 where he was intrigued by the idea of Teenpact, but did not fully grasp the goal and mission of the organization. However, upon returning as an alumni student the following year, he caught the heartbeat and drive of the ministry. He then went on to staff his home state in 2010, and had the opportunity to be a part of the Traveling Staff Team this past year. Garrett is excited to join the 2012 Traveling Intern Team, and looks forward to how the Lord will grow him over the next year, as well as use him to invest in the lives of students all over the nation.
	Stephen Blunk resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Coming from a very competitive family of eight, he enjoys anything that involves a contest. Baseball, ultimate frisbee, table tennis, street hockey, and debate are a few of the things he enjoys. He is also obsessed with politics, law, writing music, and playing the piano. Furthermore, his desire for investing into the lives of others and encouraging them to pursue God wholeheartedly parallels TeenPact’s vision to revolutionize the world by changing lives. With these hobbies and passions, it should be no surprise that Stephen fell in love with TeenPact upon attending his first state class in 2007. Stephen is greatly anticipating what God will do in the upcoming season and is blessed to have the opportunity to serve such an incredible ministry as TeenPact.
	Valen Caldwell was born and raised in the Natural State of Arkansas, and despite growing up alongside many mosquitoes, she loves it! Valen’s interests include hiking, swimming, stargazing, and anything adventurous on the farm. Valen is the second oldest of six children, a position that brings her much joy. To her very core, Valen is a people person. She loves investing in people, meeting new people, getting to know folks, and simply being with friends and family. Valen also has a deep love for traveling, making lists, laughing (especially by swapping corny jokes!), baking, and (sometimes) running (no, not in circles). Valen’s first introduction to TeenPact was at the One Day class when her grandma made her attend. Valen was not excited about going to the One Day Class, or even the Four Day Class a few years later; nevertheless, she caught on to the vision quickly. Since then, TeenPact has been the catalyst of much growth for her as a person, stretching her through each season of life and continually showing her how much impact youth can have. Valen is excited about casting this vision for others across the nation as she travels with the ministry, and she knows that the Lord has much in store for many through TeenPact.
	Ben Edmonds hails from the great state of Oregon and is the fifth of seven boys. He attended his first TeenPact state class in 2009 which sparked an interest in state government. Since then he has helped out with numerous political campaigns and is looking forward to the many adventures that lay ahead. Through many stretching opportunities and experiences with TeenPact, Ben has grown in his ability to step outside of his comfort zone and make an impact on the culture today. Growing up with a passion for music, he has been playing piano for most of his life and enjoys leading worship. He loves spending time with family and friends and enjoys playing sports, such as soccer, basketball and frisbee. Ben is thrilled to join the intern team and can’t wait to serve the ministry and see how God will work in incredible ways through TeenPact in the 2012 season.
	Sarah Gentzler resides in Leavenworth, Kansas with her parents and three siblings. Sarah has lived many places across the country while her Dad served in the Army. She enjoyed moving, because it gave her many different opportunities to see new things and meet new people. Sarah is entering into her sixth year of involvement with TeenPact Leadership Schools, and has loved TeenPact from the start. She is so excited about the opportunity to serve with TeenPact again this year and can’t wait to see how God moves in her life through the ministry. After serving with TeenPact, Sarah hopes to spend a lengthy amount of time on the mission field. Her passion for foreign missions was discovered because of an experience serving in Haiti last summer. She enjoys hanging out with her family and friends. She finds great joy in being creative, playing the piano, and reading.
	Paige Haven moved from Washington, DC to the good ole’ Tar Heel state of North Carolina at the age of 4. She has come to love the South and considers herself to be a “southern-girl” with a penchant for Bojangle’s, sweet tea and saying “y’all”. She appreciates the genteel, historic South including Ante Bellum-era dress and civility. Sporadic sewing projects, delighting in the “Great Outdoors”, playing ultimate frisbee, fishing with her dad and brothers, making a joyful noise unto the Lord, studying God’s word, hanging out with her family-including her recently adopted twin brothers, and laughing with her friends are some of Paige’s favorite things. She hoped just to survive her first state class, but after one week discovered a love for TeenPact, and its call to leadership. Paige caught the vision and developed a desire to be a part of “changing lives to change the world”. She is blessed and honored to serve as an intern for TeenPact in the 2012 season. With great anticipation, she looks forward to seeing the Lord move and work in the year ahead!
	Though originally hailing from the majestic Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, Nate Kirby could call any one of eight different states “home,” due to his Dad being in the Army. The middle of three kids, Nate currently resides with his family in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, a small country town about 30 minutes south of Raleigh. Nate shares a passion for music with the rest of his family and can often be found with a guitar in his hands. Nate loves exploring new things, and enjoys the outdoors, sailing, sports, history, theology, and public speaking. Born and raised in a Christian home, Nate finds his ultimate passion in serving and worshiping Christ both through music and his everyday activities. After attending TeenPact classes in Washington, Hawaii, and Georgia, Nate caught the vision of the ministry. He is elated to have the opportunity to intern and looks forward with an eager eye to see what God has in store for TeenPact in the upcoming season.
	Johnny Leifheit, proudly calls his home the first state to glimpse our sunrise; Maine. Although born just over the border in New Hampshire, Johnny has grown up in the same town and lived in the same house his whole life! He is the middle of three children, having an older sister and younger brother. Johnny was introduced to TeenPact in 2008 when he attended his first state class. During that time is when he caught the vision and heart of what TeenPact really is. His one hope is that through this internship, he might be used to spread that vision for Christ, and change hearts to help create revival in the culture of our nation. Aside from TeenPact, Johnny has many interests! From Sports like frisbee, soccer, a game of hard core paintball, or skiing in the winter, to being active in local political committees, or hanging with friends on the beach. He’s pretty much down for anything!
	After living in Connecticut for most of her life, Anna recently made the move to Richmond, VA and has enjoyed exploring her new area. As one of eight children, growing up has been a constant adventure and something she would never change. She enjoys writing of any sort, reading intriguing books, teaching youth, and taking care of young children. She thinks life should be lived where you are, not where you want to be, and she is always striving to make life enjoyable for those around her. Having been involved with TeenPact for eight years, she is very excited to spend another year giving to the ministry that has given her so much. Throughout this season, it is her hope that God’s glory, joy, and humility will characterize everything she does.
	Thomas McGuire, the middle of three children, was born in Virginia, but has lived the majority of his life in the great state of South Carolina. After a certain amount of persuasion from his mother, Thomas attended his first TeenPact class in 2007 and immediately fell in love with both the class and the ministry. He attended another two state classes before returning as a staffer in ‘10 and ‘11. As Thomas’s experience with TeenPact grew, he wanted to give back and serve the ministry that had meant so much to his development in the past few years, resulting in his decision to intern. Outside of TeenPact, Thomas loves watching and playing sports, boating, scuba diving, traveling, attending concerts, playing guitar, singing, and writing music. Thomas is extremely excited to see where God will lead him this year as he anticipates the valuable lessons TeenPact will bring!
	Jeremiah Moore hails from the Natural State of Arkansas. While being fortunate to grow up in a small town with a population of 114, Jeremiah has a desire to impact a far greater segment of society. He looks forward to serving with TeenPact as a venue of outreach. Having been involved with TeenPact since 2007, Jeremiah has grown to love the ministry and is passionate about what it stands for. He has also competed in speech and debate and Model United Nations for three years and is an avid multi-instrumentalist, playing violin, guitar, and piano, among other instruments. Jeremiah works as a staff writer for his local newspaper. He is very excited to be interning with TeenPact and cannot wait to see what God will do in the coming months.
	Tara Pattengale began the TeenPact experience six years ago by the requirement of her parents. She went to her first state class “kicking and screaming” only to leave at the end of the week with a passion for leadership, an enthusiasm for her generation, a motivation to pursue excellence, a group of new friends, and a new love for her Savior, Jesus Christ. Tara is ecstatic about joining the TeenPact family yet again and is looking forward to new experiences and challenges the Lord has for her. Aside from TeenPact, Tara shares a love for many things including photography, thrift store shopping, drinking tea, attending her youth group, sewing, scrapbooking, gardening, and being with friends. She lives in the great state of Indiana, in a small town called Rensselaer, which boasts a wonderful coffee shop that has become a favorite place of relaxation. Tara is thrilled by the new opportunity before her and is anxious to serve the ministry to further inspire and impact this generation in a way that will change the world’s definition of “teenager” forever.
	Ever since the ripe age of nine months, Hannah lived in the corn loving state of Indiana. She has two wonderful parents who have shown her how to follow Christ and two younger brothers who have become her close friends. Her younger years were spent in a tiny town with a population of five hundred. Around the age of fourteen, her family moved closer to a city. Hannah has always kept very busy throughout high school. When she was not studying, she enjoyed baby sitting, tutoring, and nannying. She has worked in both a child care and fitness center. Besides learning to work in a small business atmosphere,the fitness center taught her to love weight lifting and how to lead fitness classes. Interning with TeenPact is an opportunity she never expected and gives God the glory for His plans. She is extremely excited to see what God has to teach her through this experience. Hannah feels that He is leading her towards both foreign missions and an athletic degree. Hannah has started her coursework at Ivy Tech Community College and plans to pursue a Physical Therapy Assistant degree. Her strongest desire is to follow Christ, giving Him the glory through everything that happens in her life.
	Ben Solem was born in the ‘Heart of the Country’ at Fort Riley, Kansas. Raised in a military family, Ben has lived in six different states across the U.S. (Kansas, Illinois, Virginia, Alaska, Louisiana, and Washington). Currently living in Washington State, he resides with the coolest people on God’s green earth: his parents and four siblings. When Ben is not hanging out with them, he enjoys: reading his Bible, music, running, leading worship, watching the University of Kansas men’s basketball team, traveling, engaging in politics and staying involved with TeenPact. In 2008, Ben attended his first TeenPact state class. Since then, he has attended two more state classes, alumni events, and has staffed for the life-changing ministry. Ben is passionate about leading young people to live above the status quo. He desires to be an example of this by serving, sharing, and following Christ in all that he does. While serving as a 2012 TeenPact intern, Ben is excited to see young people rise up, advance the Kingdom, and impact the world for the sake of Jesus Christ.
	Serena Walker is from Aurora, Colorado and attended her first TeenPact class as a one day student in 2002. She later attended the day class in 2007, but it wasn’t until she attended her first National Convention that Serena and her family truly fell in love with the ministry and its vision. Serena has spent the past three years serving as a field staffer for TeenPact and was thrilled when she was asked to return this season as a member of the 2012 Intern Team. The biggest thing that she is looking forward to this year is continuing to build close relationships with students and staff across the country. Serena is currently working on a degree in Communications/Journalism. Her other passions include music, specifically playing the piano and the djembe, cooking, rock climbing, and hiking in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. She is very close to her family of four and more than anything they desire to see God glorified this TeenPact season and throughout the rest of her life.

Intern Application Requirements

• Must have attended at least one 4-Day state class as a student
• Must have staffed at least one 4 Day state class
• Must have sufficient TeenPact Alumni experience
• Must complete all application requests
• Must interview with the TeenPact leadership at National Convention
• Must commit to serving several weeks at a time, January-May

Contact to Apply

The deadline to apply to Intern for the 2012 season was May 2011. Please email aaron.watson@teenpact.com if you are interested in applying in the future.