The Timothy Project
A Freeway Ministries Internship Program
The Timothy Project
The Timothy Project, a Freeway Ministries internship program, exists to provide training and hands-on experience to those who are called to serve in Freeway’s Missions. Interns are a valuable asset to the Freeway team, serving as a staff member under an assigned supervisor at a Freeway location and as a representative for Freeway Ministries. The Timothy Project ultimately serves to provide a program designed to prepare men and women for service in communities in local and national missions.
Learning Checkpoints
Throughout their time at Freeway Ministries, interns have the opportunity to strengthen their skills and gain valuable, hands-on experience in a variety of fields involving Freeway’s missions. The following is a list of intern learning checkpoints to provide insight on some of these experiences:
Jail Visitations
- Learn how to look for and address certain behaviors in incarcerated individuals
- Display obedience and willingness to follow instructions of supervisor and law enforcement
- Maintain truthful and honest communication with clients
- Communicate with individual on post-jail follow up procedures
Applicant Communication
- Interview Freeway House Applicants and communicate with family members
- Give tasks to applicants and follow up on completion
- Discuss with probation and parole officers about prospective applicants
Outreach and Events
- Plan and participate in outreach strategies
- Assist in Freeway service leadership
- Learn all areas of Freeway’s operations—i.e. kitchen, security, childcare, etc.
Treatment
- Understand the process of checking someone into emergency treatment
- Deal with someone under the severe influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Recognize and report the behaviors of someone experiencing addiction
Family Interaction
- Help the family surrender affected loved one to treatment
- Discuss treatment process with family
- Assist family in setting healthy boundaries and understanding enabling behaviors
Teaching
- Learn to build sermons and lessons
- Help staff members lead classes
Discipleship House
- Learn the structure of Freeway’s discipleship houses
- Confront and discipline house members
- Engage in house meetings and conflict mediation
- Develop a trusting relationship with house members
State Agencies
- Communicate with probation and parole officers
- Understand court process and represent a client in court
- Transport clients to and from jail
- Work with pretrial services
Timothy Project Graduates
Here are some examples of The Timothy Projects graduates, and what they’re doing now.
Daniel Richardson
Daniel came to Freeway in 2019 from Mount Vernon, Illinois. John Stroup was preaching a revival meeting and Daniel was in the audience. At just 19 years old, Daniel was on his way to pursue a career in nursing. He was enrolled in college and making preparations to join the medical field.
John asked Daniel in conversation, “What are you doing with your life?” Daniel proceeded to explain that he was going to college to be a nurse. John then asked Daniel one question, “Has God called you to be a nurse?”
The last night of revival, Daniel came forward and surrendered his life to full time ministry. He came to John weeping and said, “Thank you for asking me that question. I’ve never been asked that before. I know that God hasn’t called me to be a nurse. I am doing it to make my family happy.”
Shortly after that conversation, Daniel unenrolled from nursing school and came to Springfield, Missouri to enter the Freeway Ministries Discipleship Program. He has since graduated and has now moved into the Second Stage House. He completed Freeway’s internship, The Timothy Project and has been trained in recovery ministry. He is currently enrolled at Ozark Technical Community College (Springfield, MO) to continue his education while waiting for the opportunity to help start a Freeway Ministries wherever God calls him to go.
Joe Walters
Joe has been in and out of prison institutions since he was 18 years old. He came straight from prison in 2019 into the Freeway Ministries Discipleship Program. Joe excelled and learned very quickly how to apply and live out the Word of God in everyday life. Joe got a job, worked very hard, followed instructions, and became a house leader in the Marshfield Men’s House.
Joe has been called into ministry and is currently enrolled at Liberty University. Joe entered The Timothy Project to learn how to operate and oversee Freeway Ministries’ operations. He is ready to be sent out and willing to go wherever God calls him. Joe met his wife serving at Freeway Ministries and is excited to have a family of his own.
He is excited about missions and the things of God. We believe that God has big things in store for Joe Walters.
Mike Simons
Mike Simons is one of a kind. He came straight from prison in 2018 and entered the Marshfield Program and excelled. He graduated and moved out on his own.
We asked Mike what he felt like God was calling him to do… He knew it was Freeway Ministries. Mike has an “I get-to attitude” and not an “I have-to attitude.” It is so refreshing to be around him; he has so much joy in serving the Lord.
Recently, Mike has returned to the Second Stage Home in Marshfield, Missouri and is on staff at Freeway. Mike is an elder in his local church, Cross Bridge Baptist Church. Mike graduated from The Timothy Project and is trained for recovery ministry. He is a preacher, a humble man who loves God’s Word, and will give you the shirt off his back. In February 2021, Mike Simons became the Director of the Freeway Marshfield.
We are so proud of him and look forward to seeing God continue to bless his life.
Application Process
There are two ways to enter the intern application process. Freeway Leaders may seek out individuals and ask them to consider serving in this capacity, or an individual may express an interest to serve upon learning about this opportunity. The application process involves the following steps:
- Candidate fills out the application completely.
- The Freeway Leadership Team reviews the application.
- The Leadership Team conducts an interview of the candidate.
- The Freeway Board of Directors votes to approve and a contract is negotiated.
Once a contract agreement is approved and signed, the candidate will begin their internship within Freeway Ministries. The leaders of Freeway Ministries look forward to meeting and adding The TImothy Project interns to the team.