INTERNSHIPS
RTS International Internship
Reaching, Teaching, and Sending
Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8b)
Are you feeling a call to missions?
Are you faithfully praying for God's direction and wisdom?
Are you looking for a place to grow spiritually, professionally and personally?
Are you seeking clarity about whether long-term missions, or vocational missions is right for you?
RTS Missions Emerge Internship Program may be just the thing God will use to help with your questions.
RTS holds your spiritual growth as a priority and we promise to be with you every step of the way, answering your questions, and praying for you and with you at all times.
Emerge from the world which you know and experience God in new and life-changing ways.
Have Questions?
RTS Missions offers internship opportunities in the Dominican Republic. While serving, interns help the operations on the ground run more smoothly, ultimately helping RTS continue its mission of "Reaching, Teaching, and Sending Individuals to Engage Their World for Christ." You’ll experience Christ-centered, grace-based, personal mentoring as you learn how to build intentional relationships and share the gospel cross-culturally. During an internship, interns will grow spiritually and develop as leaders, all while having fun.
Meet Your In-Country Emerge Directors
Joel and Shelby Marmolejos are absolutely amazing. Not only will you have all of our other tremendous team looking out for you, these two will walk beside you, encourage you, push you, and disciple you.
Joel, Director of Discipleship and Media, has been with RTS for the last 4 years as a talented videographer and photographer. He is also one of our gifted translators. He is passionate about leading Bible studies and discipling new and seasoned believers as they pursue a deeper relationship with Christ.
Shelby became our first full-time missionary from the U.S. in June 2024, when she relocated to Jimani to live and serve. She is an educator, lover of people, and a student of God's word. Shelby teaches English children in our His Kids program and has an adult English class as well. Shelby loves to disciple women God brings into her life.
8 Spots Left for August-December
Now Accepting Applications for 2026
Encouragement for you!
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
LUKE 9:23
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
The Process
Congratulations!
We are so thrilled that God has given you a heart for missions! Thank you so much for investigating a possible internship with RTS Missions and wanting to join our Emerge Program!
We look forward to walking side-by-side with you during the entire process and having a front-row seat in witnessing all that God will do in you and through you!
The first step in being a part of the Emerge Program is submitting the application found at the bottom of this page.
Once we receive your application, we will notify you by email that it has been received and provide guidance on next steps.
Step two of the process:
Each intern applicant will have at least two intial interviews with our team.
Carolin Paredes will contact you to schedule your interviews with members of our team.
Once the interview process is complete, the Emerge team will pray over all the information and make a determination.
This process should be completed in one week, two at the most.
Step 3: The Determination
After the team has been able to pray over and through all the information from your application and interviews, one of two determinations will be made.
Accepted: You will receive a "Welcome Letter" by email from Carolin Paredes welcoming you to the RTS family.
Not at this time: Unfortuantely we will not be able to accept everyone. There could be multiple reasons for this decision. Our heart is that you know it is nothing personal, and we always encourage those to reapply for a future term.
Step 4: Let's Go!!!
Welcome to the program! Now it's time to start raising your funds. We strongly encourage you to raise the funds for your tuition. This brings others along with you on your journey and it is a true blessing to those who will be supporting you.
We can help with letters, advice, and Biblical principles to help you in the process. Remember, we are here for you every step of the way. It is an honor for us to walk this path by your side.
Once you are accepted, we will also be contacting you to schedule 4 mandatory video calls to provide Pre-Field Training.
- Getting Started
- Heart Preparation
- Becoming Cross-Cultural
- Ministry Preparation
As soon as possible you should find a couple Spanish learning sites and start practicing basic conversational Spanish! Muy Importante!
Step 5: Finaly Right?
A week before your arrival, you will have one last video call with our Emerge Team.
This call will offer additional insights on your future weekly schedule (Although things can change from day-to-day). It willl also be a chance for you to get answers to last minute questions, help guide and pray for any anxieties you may be experiencing and discuss the entry process into the DR.
Welcome to the Dominican Republic!
A video meeting will be scheduled once your internship term has ended. This is for us to make sure we have all the information about your time and to make sure we are doing everything we can to provide the most spiritual impact as possible for our interns.
God Using You
Daily Intern Expectations
House to House Evangelism
A portion of your day will be spent traveling to different communities visiting house to house, building relationships, praying for families, having Bible conversations and eventually sharing the gospel.
Food Distribution
The first two weeks of each month you will participate in our 5 food distribution locations helping to provide food to children and families, as well as share the gospel.
Spanish Class
As a part of our intern program, you will participate in daily Spanish class. Learning conversational Spanish will help with your day-to-day interactions in order to building relations.
Bible Study
Discipleship is central to your time with RTS. You will participate in at least one weekly small group, as well as personal mind renewing opportunities with members of our team.
Visiting Team Hospitality
You will play a vital role when we have visiting Impact Teams helping from hospitality to logistics ensuring that every member of the team has the best experience possible.
Leadership Development
Each intern will receive hands-on training and mentorship to grow in spiritual leadership, communication, and character formation. This includes devotionals, feedback sessions, and opportunities to lead small group discussions.
Experiences That Last Forever
No matter what your future holds, spending three months serving cross culturally will be an incredible way to gain experience and skills that God can use for the rest of your life! Most importantly, this is an opportunity for you to expand your understanding of God’s plan for the nations and to become a true laborer for the gospel for the rest of your lives.
Encouragement For You!
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Psalm 121:8
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
What do I do if I'm afraid?
It's okay to feel afraid. In the Bible, even the greatest servants of God experienced fear. Moses was afraid, Jonah ran away, and the disciples panicked during the storm. Fear is not the end of the road; it's just the beginning of a deeper faith. When fear tries to overwhelm you, remember: The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
What if I don't feel qualified?
God doesn’t look at what you see as lack, He sees what He can do in you. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord told Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." It’s not about your ability, but your availability. Your trembling hands can hold eternal purpose if they are in God’s hands.
What if I think this isn't for me?
You’re not alone in that doubt. Moses thought he couldn’t lead Israel, and Jeremiah believed he was too young. But God’s calling didn’t depend on their limitations, it rested on His grace. If your heart is wrestling with doubt, pray and ask God to show you if this is the path He has for you. If this is not your time, He will lead you elsewhere. And if it is, you’ll witness how He transforms your life.
What if I don't get accepted?
Remember, your worth is not in people’s approval, but in God’s acceptance. If this is not your moment at RTS, it’s not a “no” from God, it’s a redirection to another purpose. He is still guiding your steps. “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you” (Jeremiah 29:11).
What if my family doesn't support me?
God’s love surpasses all understanding, even the lack of support from those we love. When the Lord called Abraham, He asked him to leave his homeland. Though it was painful, God had an eternal purpose. Pray for your loved ones, show them love, and ask God to reveal His purpose for your life. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:1). God can touch your loved ones’ hearts and help them see His purpose in you. And remember, in the body of Christ, you are not without family.
What if I'm struggling to leave my comfort zone?
Comfort zones are safe, but they’re not where God calls us to grow. God uses discomfort to transform us. Stepping out of your comfort zone is a faith-filled response to God’s invitation. The Lord calls you to trust, to walk into the unknown with Him by your side. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear..." (2 Timothy 1:7). Sometimes the hardest steps lead us straight to the center of God’s heart."
BIGGEST Advocate
After going on a mission trip with RTS, I’m the BIGGEST advocate for this ministry!! The way this team pours themselves out is one of the clearest, most tangible pictures of the open arms of Jesus I’ve ever witnessed. They’ve made it their life’s mission to reach the people in Jimani who often feel overlooked, unseen, unloved, and forgotten—with the hope and healing of the Gospel. For RTS, the top priority each day is to stay sensitive to the Lord’s voice and follow His leading in Kingdom work. An internship with them isn’t just an opportunity to serve—but also a chance to step out in obedience, grow in audacious faith, and learn what it truly means to live on mission with Jesus.
Karinna Andersen, Tampa
Impacted My Life
During my time serving as an Emerge intern with RTS Missions Haiti, I was blessed to live and fully immerse myself in the beautiful and rich Haitian culture for 9 months. I had the privilege to spend time with all ages through kids camps, delivering food to the elderly, assisting mission teams from America, loving on those who needed it, and developing friendships that turned into family. I wasn’t sure what I was going to pursue after my internship, but the Lord revealed my calling to missions during my 9 months in Haiti to which I am still living out now. The Haitian people are near to my heart and I am so thankful every day for the time I was able to spend with them. This ministry has truly left an impact on me that will last the rest of my life!
Jasmine Taul, Tennessee
Program Information
• Active membership in an evangelical church
• A clear testimony as a follower of Christ with an interest in global missions
• A love for and knowledge of the Bible as God’s Word
• In agreement with RTS Missions Statement of Faith
• Must be 18 years or older and a U.S. citizen for most internships
Internships are for three months to run consecutively!
Term 1: January - April
Term 2: May - August
Term 3: September - December
An intern may choose 3 concurrent months in any term. Exmple: January, February, March; or February, March, April.
Although we prefer you to choose a 3 month internship within the terms above, we will do our best to accomodate your schedule.
Please contact us if special dates need to be discussed. Example: August 15 - November 15.
Application, acceptance, and deposit must be completed st least 3 months before intern start date.
Complete balance due 30 days before arrival date.
- Sports Ministry (Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball)
- Next Gen Discipleship (Children, Youth, Young Adults)
- Hospitality (Serving Teams)
- Evangelism and Discipleship
- Teach English as a Second Language
- Teach Music
Please feel free to contact us to discuss other interests or gifts you may have that would glorify God on the mission field.
Interns will be staying on our beautiful secured campus in Jimani, Dominican Republic.
Interns will be staying in our guesthouse which offers comfortable rooms with air conditioning and full bathrooms. They have access to a huge kitchen, washer and dryer, and a front porch offering the most beautiful sunsets around.
Interns will be preparing a majority of their owns meals. Occasionaly, Interns will eat as a group with other RTS Staff, or eat out,
Internship cost is $2,000 per month (airfare not included).
A $500 non-refundable deposit is due immediately after being accepted into the Emerge Program.
Cost covers room and board, Wi-Fi, in-country travel, as well as additional fees related to the ministry. Groceries for 3 meals a day will be provided, but the intern will be responsible for preparing most of their own meals.
The cost does not cover extra food, snacks and drinks you may want while traveling, or outside the daily meals provided.
