By Khaosara Akintoye ’25

Originally from Lagos, Nigeria and a senior majoring in Quantitative Economics with a concentration in Africa and African Diaspora Studies, I’m actively engaged in the campus community as a member of the Women in Economics club and KARIBU, a group dedicated to celebrating African and Caribbean culture and building a supportive community on campus, which we call home during our college journey. 

My academic and extracurricular interests motivated me to seek out a summer internship focused on meaningful, community-center work. As someone deeply passionate about using data and strategic insights to drive impact, I was drawn to Church Anew’s mission to build connections and strengthen community engagement through faith-based initiatives. I saw this internship as a chance to work with an organization that connects diverse faith communities through inclusive spiritual engagement. I was especially excited to work on strategic projects that would expand their outreach and deepen community connections – two specific areas where I could use my skills to enhance their message and reach. 

As I began my work with Church Anew, I found that the projects I worked on used the skills I have developed here at St. Olaf to contribute to Church Anew’s outreach efforts.  I had a variety of responsibilities including managing social media, editing and building a contact database for Lutheran (ELCA), Methodist (UMC), and Episcopal churches across the country. One of my parts of the internship was collaborating with fellow St. Olaf student co-intern Jackson Gilbert ‘25 to create engaging social media posts and visuals across all Church Anew’s social media profiles. I think my favorite part of the internship was the database project; even after hours, I often found myself updating it late into the night because I wanted to dig deeper and learn more. 

This work during the  internship significantly expanded my skills in strategic communication and project management. Working on Church Anew’s digital outreach taught me the importance of aligning strategy with mission in order to amplify community impact effectively. It also taught me a lot about flexibility and open-mindedness. I developed a deeper understanding of how to use data and analytics to enhance engagement and reach, which has further fueled my interest in roles where I can blend analytical skills with community-focused initiatives. 

Learning the importance of intentional reflection and has inspired me to set aside personal time each week to check in on myself

One of the most unexpected and meaningful parts of my internship was Pastor Matthew’s genuine investment in my professional growth. Every Thursday, he would check in with me to discuss my progress, any new interests, or even just anything on my mind. Once, he asked me not just about my tasks but about my passions, and plans after graduation. I shared with him that I was interested in exploring a career in supply chain management. To my surprise, he mentioned that his sister-in-law works in supply chain management and offered to connect us so I could gain guidance and ask questions about the field. His mentorship made me feel valued and encouraged me to explore new perspectives, and I looked forward to our conversations each week. Learning the importance of intentional reflection and has inspired me to set aside personal time each week to check in on myself—thinking through my goals, asking questions, and even wondering, “What would Pastor Matthew say about this?” I’m incredibly grateful for his support and for the lasting habit of self-reflection he helped me develop. 

My internship experience with Church Anew relates closely with the mission of the Lutheran Center. Working on projects that emphasize inclusivity, spiritual inquiry, and community engagement allowed me to put the Center’s values into action. Through initiatives like the Bible study Old & New, I witnessed how fostering connections between diverse faith communities can deepen understanding and love for one’s neighbor. This role also helped me reflect on my own sense of vocation by showing how impactful it can be to work in an environment that bridges different traditions, supports dialogue, and strengthens community bonds. 

This internship has deepened my commitment to pursuing a career that combines data-driven strategy with community impact. Whether through economics or community development, I now see my vocation as a way to use insights and analytics to make a positive difference in organizations that prioritize inclusivity and service. My experience here reinforced that meaningful work can and should resonate with personal values and contribute to broader social good. 

This role also helped me reflect on my own sense of vocation by showing how impactful it can be to work in an environment that bridges different traditions, supports dialogue, and strengthens community bonds

My time at Church Anew was an incredibly rewarding journey, filled with opportunities for personal growth and professional development. I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to their mission and for the skills I’ve gained along the way.

This views in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lutheran Center or St. Olaf College