From Intern to Leader: John Winter's Story
What happened when a summer internship became a life-changing calling? For John Winter Wilson, the FCA Encounter Summer Internship wasn’t just a graduation requirement—it was the place where God grew his faith, shaped his leadership, and sparked a passion to disciple others. Just one year later, he returned to lead the very program that had transformed him.
When John Winter Wilson first heard about the FCA Encounter Summer Internship, he wasn’t entirely sure where it would lead.
A sport management major at the University of Georgia, John Winter knew he needed an internship to graduate, but he also wanted something that aligned with his passions and faith. “I was looking for something related to sports that I would actually enjoy,” he recalled.
His connection to FCA started years earlier and eventually led to him attending an FCA leadership camp during his junior year of college. “That was the first time I saw FCA from a leadership perspective,” he said. “I had been around FCA in high school, but that summer really showed me what it was all about.”
A Summer of Consistency
When John Winter finally stepped into the internship, it became more than a résumé builder; it was a season of personal and spiritual transformation.
“The Encounter internship helped me develop a healthy sense of consistency that affected every area of my life,” he shared. “It started with working out Monday through Friday, but it carried over into my quiet time with God and the way I approached life in general.”
That growth didn’t stop when the summer ended. He applied what he learned while serving in campus ministry at UGA, solidifying his calling to invest in others.
Stepping into Leadership
Just a year later, John Winter returned to FCA, this time as a leader for the Encounter program.
“Last year, I was a student in the internship. This year, I’m stepping into a leadership role,” he explained. “I’ve experienced consistency, applied it in my own life, and now I get to teach and guide others. It’s that 2 Timothy 2 idea, teaching and equipping others so they can go and teach others. This internship is all about life-on-life discipleship.”
His Vision for Summer Encounter Interns
For John Winter, the internship is like a greenhouse—an environment where growth is nurtured daily.
“My heart is for the interns to grow deep roots with Jesus,” he said. “This summer isn’t the real world; it’s a unique, intentional space. But as they go back to their campuses, I want them to have such a strong foundation that their relationship with Jesus continues to grow and impact others.”
Looking Ahead
Now, John Winter is prayerfully pursuing a full-time staff role with FCA Atlanta. His passion for discipleship, his experience as both intern and leader, and his heart for athletes make him eager to keep investing in coaches, athletes, and campus ministries year-round.
“I’ve seen firsthand how God can use FCA to transform lives,” he said. “I want to keep being a part of that…helping people grow spiritually, mentally, and physically in Christ.”
From college student to ministry leader, John Winter’s journey is a testimony to what can happen when you follow God’s leading into the unknown and trust Him to guide your next steps.
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