Graduate Assistant Ministry Intern Program

The Graduate Assistant Ministry Intern Program is designed to provide the opportunity for interns to engage in full-time campus ministry at Whitworth University while simultaneously pursuing a master's degree over the course of two years. Each intern is mentored and supervised by a member of the chapel staff. All participate in regular meetings of the chapel staff, including ministry planning as well as personal support/prayer gatherings.

One intern works with Professor of Music Ben Brody in the coordination of all weekly chapel worship services. The university carries on a vibrant rhythm of worship, with community chapels Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 11-11:30 a.m. during fall and spring semesters. In addition, Hosanna, our student-led worship service on Tuesday evenings, provides an opportunity for contemporary worship.

Another intern serves with Dean of Spiritual Life & Campus Pastor Forrest Buckner, working in athletics ministry and overseeing the Awake ministry on campus. In athletics ministry, the intern helps to provide spiritual leadership for the members of each team. Awake is a student-led ministry in which students grow in their knowledge of who they are, who God is and why that matters – and invite others to do the same.

Our third intern also serves with Dean of Spiritual Life & Campus Pastor Forrest Buckner in the coordination and oversight of ministry efforts that particularly support the Christian spiritual development of international students and other students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic populations (UREP). This position also includes cultivating key relationships and pioneering new ministry ideas.

Isaiah Schmidt

Graduate Assistant Ministry Intern for Outreach & Athletics Ministry

Hi, I'm Isaiah Schmidt! I have the opportunity of being the graduate assistant ministry intern (GAMI) for outreach & athletics ministry. A significant part of that role is helping lead Awake, a weekly community exploring who God is and who we are. Additionally, you might run into me at the Mind & Hearth or The Pines coffee shops on campus, where I also work!

I graduated from Whitworth in the spring of 2024 with a marketing concentration. I had the chance to be involved in spiritual life on campus in a variety of ways including as a campus ministry coordinator during the spring of 2023 and the Awake worship coordinator from 2023-24. I also have a strong passion for music and enjoy recording/writing songs, so I've released an album and enjoy the creative community on campus.

If we haven't met, I'd love to! If you're curious about any number of things (what Awake is, music, faith or whatever's on your mind) or would just enjoy a good conversation, don't hesitate to reach out. My email is ischmidt25@my.whitworth.edu.

Jesse Yi 

Graduate Assistant Ministry Intern for Campus Worship

Hello! My name is Jesse Yi, and I'm the graduate assistant ministry intern for campus worship! I'm originally from Carson City, Nev. However, I moved up to Spokane for high school, and I am excited that God is continuing to call me into this town and this university campus! While serving as a GAMI, I will be working at my home church as a worship arts coordinator and studying to get my master's in business leadership.

In August of 2023, I graduated from Whitworth with a bachelor of arts in music on the ministry track. During that time, I played on a Hosanna team for three years, primarily playing drums, bass, mandolin, guitar and singing. I was also involved in the music department, serving in multiple leadership positions in the wind symphony while playing bassoon, double bass and percussion. I also served as a campus ministry coordinator and as a part of the Office of Church Engagement's Summer Fellowship Program. I am ecstatic to continue pouring into the Whitworth worshipping community for these next two years!

Favorite Bible verse: “Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” Psalms 126:6 NRSV

Let this be an invitation: I am excited to meet and talk with you! If you want to talk about music, worship, life and everything in between, send me an email at jyi23@my.whitworth.edu. You may even get to find out where I see the beautiful intersection between faith, Hunter x Hunter and VeggieTales.

Sitara Busby

Graduate Assistant Ministry Intern for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Hello! My name is Sitara Busby. I was born in India and grew up in Edmonds, Wash. I am so excited to serve as the graduate assistant ministry intern for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ministries. While I was in undergrad at Whitworth, I was involved in various campus ministry programs and multicultural clubs, as well as studying abroad. I love learning about people from different backgrounds, which is why I chose to study sociology for undergrad. While being a GAMI, I am a student in the Whitworth MBA program and have the privilege of working for Source Spokane.

A favorite verse of mine is from Psalms 139:13-14: "For you created my inner being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." God has a plan for each and every one of us. My goal as a GAMI for DEI ministry is to spread that message and help cultivate a place of belonging and growth.

Please feel free to reach out. I would love to get to know you! You can find me in the chapel or the ISC, or reach out at sbusby24@my.whitworth.edu.