BAM Internships in NYC – Impact Lives + Reach the Nations

Is God calling you to use business as a mission (BAM)? Our BAM internship offers you a unique opportunity to explore your calling and make a tangible impact in the lives of those living outside their homelands.

bam internships meeting

During your BAM internship in New York City, you’ll get: 

  • Hands on business and ministry experience
  • Mentors invested in your spiritual formation and professional development
  • Evangelism and outreach training in the context of your work 

You’ll get to be a part of engaging Unreached People Groups (UPGs) in order to start churches through them.

We consider a people group unreached when there is no indigenous community of Jesus’ followers able to engage this people group with church planting. Technically speaking, less than 2 percent of the population actively follows Jesus  

At the Salaam Center, our thrift store and community center, you’ll get hands on experience in BAM ministering to those scattered outside of their native countries who haven’t heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Through a blend of business operations, community outreach, and spiritual growth, you’ll gain the tools you need to serve God effectively wherever He calls you.

Turn Your Passion into Action with a BAM Internship

Our BAM internship program will equip you for kingdom work.

This BAM internship is for you if you want to:

  • Discern your calling for how to use business as ministry and hone your gifts
  • Build cross cultural relationships in a professional setting 
  • Learn effective outreach and evangelism strategies that flow into discipleship 
  • Make a real difference in the lives of Unreached People Groups 
bam interns sorting donations

Focuses of BAM Internships

Here’s how you’ll spend your time, including an hourly breakdown per week of our BAM internships: 

1. Business Operations🏬

  • Expect to work about 24 hours per week in the thrift store. You’ll learn about how to run all aspects of the business. While this will primarily include customer facing positions (cashiering, pricing, etc.) and general management, it can also include working in the back (sorting, cleaning, etc.).
  • As a business, we strive to meet daily, weekly, and monthly goals. As a member of our team, you will be expected and held accountable to meeting these goals during your assigned hours.
  • Throughout the internship, you will attend ministry training including but not limited to: cross cultural evangelism, disciple making, and reproducible church planting. You will then be expected to practice some of these skills as you interact with customers. These tools will equip you to initiate spiritual conversations and build relationships that can be continued outside of your assigned store hours. 
  • Expect to attend monthly staff meetings and other all staff events.

2. Community Center🏫

  • Expect to work about 8 hours per week in the community center. This can include running classes, events, programs, etc.
  • Expect to attend regular community center planning meetings.

3.Neighborhood Ministry🌇

  • Expect to invest about 8 hours per week doing outreach in the local community. This will mostly be in conjunction with your house church and/or Salaam Center activities (including the thrift store and community center). 
  • You will be given assignments throughout the program that will push you outside your comfort zone. You will be asked to do things such as engaging strangers with the Gospel and other direct forms of evangelism. 
  • You will have the opportunity to share your story/testimony and share the Gospel with numerous people each week. 
  • Be prepared to follow ministry methods taught by trainers and coaches. 
  • Be ready to follow the instructions developed by leaders based on their experience, and be open to correction.
bam internships street

BAM Internships FAQs

When Are BAM Internships? 

You could be a summer intern or ask about open positions during the school year. 

The 2025 BAM summer internship begins May 31 and participants must arrive in NYC by May 30, 2025. The summer internship ends July 20 and participants may leave NYC on July 22, 2025. 

Who Are BAM Internships for? 

Anyone who has a passion for Unreached People Groups (UPGs) and is receptive to learning new things. No matter your experience level, you can apply.

bam interns together

What Does a Typical BAM Intern Week Look Like?

Your typical week will consist of full time work and training 6 days a week. We will NOT schedule ministry activities or training on your day off. 

You will be expected to do ministry on days and times set by your supervisor(s). However, it is not always your typical 9 – 5 job schedule and adjustments can be made as needed. Peak ministry time is often in the evenings and on weekends. 

What BAM Skills Will I Learn?

During your Bam Internship, your experience could include: 

  • Business operations – entering and analyzing data, reviewing reports, initiating supply orders, completing opening/closing tasks, and following procedures
  • Project management – leading and completing projects related to inventory, business operations, or community programs
  • Customer service – learning names, building relationships with customers, and creating a welcoming environment for everyone
  • Social media – creating content, responding to messages, evaluating metrics, and adapting strategies
  • Intercultural communication – interacting daily with our diverse team in person and through apps to ensure smooth operations

Can I Get College or Seminary Credit for My BAM Internship?

If you want to use your BAM internship as credit towards your bachelor’s or master’s degree, let us know so we can collaborate with your school to see if we can meet their requirements.

Where Are BAM Internships?

Our BAM internships are in person in New York City at our Salaam Center.

Are BAM Scholarships Available? 

Full and partial scholarships may be available for those who apply early. If you are interested in learning more about scholarships, be sure to include that in your application email.  

Is it a Paid BAM Internship? 

No, but full or partial scholarships may be available. (See above.)

Do You Provide Housing for BAM Interns?

Housing is included in the cost of your BAM internship. 

Can I Fundraise for My BAM Internship? 

International Project offers the option to raise support to cover the cost of BAM internship positions. 

We can create a ministry account and link for supporters to give to your internship.

What Is the Cost for a BAM Internship? 

The cost for the International Project BAM internship is $4,100 per person. This price will include all costs related to room, board, and ministry for the duration of the internship. This will not include any funds for personal expenses. 

Interns have the option to raise additional funds for a stipend at the end of the summer. Interns may raise an additional $4,000 for a stipend. (As with all missionaries within International Project, all funds raised are charged a 10% administration fee.)

bam internship gathering

Who Do BAM Interns Work With? 

You will report to our Thrift Store Manager, work alongside our thrift store staff, and build relationships with community members. It’s an uplifting environment to work in. 

Biweekly, you’ll meet with an experienced ministry mentor who can help you process what God is teaching you during this time. You’ll find them supportive of your personal and spiritual growth. 

Why Do BAM with International Project?

From working in our community center and thrift store to sharing the Gospel in the neighborhood, you’ll: 

  • Receive mentorship and training designed for personal development
  • Be a part of a thriving, like minded community in NYC focused on intercultural ministry 
  • Gain hands on experience that integrates ministry with real world experience
  • Grow spiritually while you develop essential leadership and business skills

Alongside mentors and a supportive team, you’ll deepen your understanding of your calling and prepare for a lifetime of Kingdom focused work. 

If you serve with us, you’ll learn how to replicate our model of reaching UPGs in order to plant churches through them. 

You will glean effective outreach skills and a spirit of strategic innovation from veteran business leaders so you can fulfill God’s call on your life. 

How to Apply for BAM Internships

Please email BAM Internship applications to go@internationalproject.org, use the subject line “business as mission internship”, and include your resume and a cover letter.  

Looking for missions internships?  See our summer internship opportunities here.