Meet the 2026 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Interns
EYA interns explore their faith and identity while putting their faith into action through advocacy and public witness.
Meet the 2026 Summer Interns! The General Board of Church and Society is excited to welcome its 2026 summer interns! This year, we are hosting 12 interns: eight Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) interns, two Church and Society interns, and two Theology interns. They bring diverse experiences, deep faith, and a shared commitment to justice.
Throughout the summer, the interns will engage in advocacy, public policy, theological reflection, and community engagement while serving alongside Church and Society staff and leaders. Pray for them as they explore the intersection of faith and social witness and deepen their understanding of their call to justice, leadership, and service in their communities and around the world.
Recognizing the visa challenges some interns may face in participating in the Washington, D.C., program, GBCS continues to offer a hybrid internship model that welcomes both in-person and virtual interns from across the United Methodist connection.
We are excited to introduce you to our 2026 summer interns!
Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Interns
Benjamin Marwa
Benjamin Marwa is a student at Maseno University in Kenya, where he studies Geospatial Information Science. He is a member of First United Methodist Church Moheto, where he has been actively involved in organizing youth programs, leadership development initiatives, and community outreach activities. He is passionate about community development, social justice, youth empowerment, and the use of technology to address societal challenges. He believes that faith should inspire meaningful action in society and seeks to integrate Christian values with efforts that promote justice, dignity, and opportunity for all people. Through this internship, Benjamin hopes to deepen his understanding of the Social Principles, strengthen his leadership and advocacy skills, collaborate with young leaders from diverse backgrounds, and develop resources that empower youth to become agents of positive change in their churches and communities.
Florence Kiwele wa Mwamba (South Congo Annual Conference)
Florence Kiwele wa Mwamba is a graduate of the University of Lubumbashi with a Master’s degree in Mining Engineering. Florence is deeply passionate about sustainable development, ethical leadership, and the responsible management of natural resources, and is committed to using her knowledge and skills to contribute to a more just, peaceful, and prosperous society. Her research and industry internships have reinforced her belief that mineral wealth should benefit local communities through transparent and ethical stewardship. Florence looks forward to this internship because she believes that faith and professional expertise can work together to address some of society’s most pressing challenges. She is particularly interested in understanding how advocacy, peacebuilding, and justice-centered initiatives can contribute to sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially within mining communities.
Haeyoon Annette Kwon (California-Nevada Annual Conference)
Haeyoon Annette Kwon is a third-year college student studying public health and nursing (De Anza College and San Francisco State University). Her commitment to advocacy has been shaped through years of ministry as a youth leader, mentor, and retreat counselor, as well as through her work advocating for safer environments for women and survivors of sexual harassment and violence. During high school, she organized student demonstrations and engaged school leaders to promote policies that better protected female students. Through her internship at the General Board of Church and Society, Haeyoon hopes to deepen her understanding of advocacy while strengthening her leadership skills to support marginalized communities. She is passionate about healthcare, social justice, and faith-based leadership and envisions a future in which her healthcare career and faith work together to advance justice, compassion, and dignity for all.
Jean Ndayisenga (Burundi Annual Conference)
Jean Ndayisenga is a member of United Methodist Church ROHERO Parish in the Burundi Annual Conference and studies French at the Institute for Applied Pedagogy at the University of Burundi. Throughout his academic and church experiences, Jean has developed strong gifts in teaching, communication, leadership, and ministry. He has served as a prayer cell leader, interpreter, and preacher while also completing a teaching internship that strengthened his commitment to education and service. During his EYA internship, Jean is focusing on The United Methodist Social Principles, particularly issues surrounding poverty and helping young people engage faithfully with the social challenges facing their communities. He hopes this experience will deepen his faith while equipping him with practical leadership and communication skills to serve others more effectively.
Onesimus Emmanuel (Northern Nigeria Annual Conference)
Onesimus Emmanuel is pursuing a degree in Medical Laboratory Science at Africa University in Zimbabwe. He is passionate about healthcare because he has witnessed hunger, poverty, and limited access to healthcare in his community. He realized that poverty and sickness are not simply “bad luck,” but are intricately connected to injustice. These experiences inspired him to pursue healthcare while recognizing that healing extends beyond medicine to addressing injustice and inequitable systems. He sees this internship as an opportunity to deepen his understanding of peace, justice, and the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church while learning how faith can be lived through advocacy and public service. He hopes this summer will help him connect his faith with meaningful action, especially in healthcare, where justice and mercy must meet.
Tafadzwa Chikawa (Zimbabwe East Annual Conference)
Tafadzwa Chikawa is a recent graduate of Africa University and a registered social worker with a strong commitment to social justice and community transformation. As an active member of King David United Methodist Church in Mutare, he participates in outreach ministries that support vulnerable individuals and families and volunteers at orphanages and homes for older adults. Tafadzwa is also involved in humanitarian initiatives, including organizing food assistance for vulnerable children in his community. His faith and professional training have reinforced his belief that lasting change comes through compassion, empowerment, and collaborative action. Through the EYA Internship Program, Tafadzwa seeks to further integrate faith and advocacy as he continues working toward stronger communities where every person’s dignity is honored. Tafadzwa is a returning EYA intern who will serve as a co-chaplain while participating in this year’s internship program.
Zaire Allen Gladden-Williams (Indiana Annual Conference)
Zaire Allen Gladden-Williams will be attending Morgan State University this fall to study Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity. Zaire has a deep appreciation for music as a ministry that inspires worship while raising awareness and advocating for justice. Through his internship, Zaire hopes to connect his faith, creativity, and passion for advocacy, believing that standing up for others and sharing love and kindness are essential expressions of the Christian faith.
Zaria Smith (Texas Annual Conference)
Zaria Smith is a rising junior honors student at Howard University, majoring in Supply Chain Management. She is a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in the Texas Annual Conference. Her faith has been a guiding force throughout her life and has shaped her values, leadership style, and commitment to serving others. Prior to this internship, Zaria served as a Resident Assistant at Howard University, helping to create a supportive community among students. She also gained valuable professional experience through internships in marketing and athletics. Zaria looks forward to this internship because it will provide an opportunity to explore how faith can be used as a catalyst for service, advocacy, and social change. She is looking forward to growing spiritually, professionally, and personally while discovering new ways to connect her passion for service with her future career and lifelong leadership.
