We love interns—investing in them, seeing them grow, and eventually sending them out. Our pastoral internship is twelve weeks long. That’s twelve reading assignments, twelve essays, twelve dinner discussions, and twelve weeks shadowing our elders, staff, and Sunday teams. Read about the shape of the internship so you’ll know how better to pray and encourage our training of pastors here.
One of my favorite moments in a week is Sunday at 7:30am when our intern shows up at my study. There on the morning-of preaching launchpad we talk sermon prep for five minutes or so. Then he’s off to the worship team rehearsal.
These past months, Jacob Swift was the intern showing up at my door. I hope you already know Jacob and Esther—a lovely young family, faithful members involved in student ministry.
Here’s our purpose in this internship: to see churches led by pastors who faithfully connect the Bible’s theology of the church to the church’s worship, life, and mission. In other words, to see churches flourish in the gospel. Pray that Jacob would be that kind of shepherd for a church in the years ahead.
Enjoy this interview with Jacob and follow-up with him in person.
To begin, tell us about yourself—where you’re from, how you met Esther, the family you’re growing together. Importantly, how the Lord led you to himself in salvation.
“Where I am from” is generally a complicated question. In short, I am from Detroit Michigan, I was born in the car, in the middle of winter, on the way to the hospital. “In long” I grew up all over the world–but most distinctly, Lebanon. My family were missionaries in the Middle East and we spent the majority of our time there.
As for how Esther and I met, I joke we had an arranged marriage. When my family lived in Washington State, our fathers (who were both pastors) were friends and her church supported us while we served in the Middle East. When we came back to the states, Esther and I met as young adults and quickly forged a fast friendship. A couple years later, we dated for four months, but were engaged for much longer so Esther could finish out her bachelors. I was 20 and Esther was 21 when we were married. A few months following, we learned our first baby, Reuben, was due on our first year anniversary! Since then, we’ve added two more boys to our tribe and are eagerly anticipating the imminent arrival of baby #4 in early October.
My Heavenly Father used my earthly father significantly in the story of my salvation. As the son of a pastor, missionary, and church planter, I was able to see the ins-and-outs of ministry. But my father’s primary focus was on raising up my siblings and I (there were four brothers and one sister) in the fear and admonition of the Lord. At a young age, the Lord worked to convict me of sin and my need for a savior. I was baptized at eight years old. Since then, the Lord has worked continuously in my life to sanctify and grow me in the grace of Christ. I look back at my testimony not as one great moment, but rather many moments of God’s faithfulness.
How did the Lord lead you and Esther to find and join Heritage. Encourage our church with what you saw and have experienced here.
Like many others fleeing the northern and western states, we moved to South Carolina in 2022. We had originally planned to move to Columbia (where we knew some friends), but kept getting drawn back to the Heritage website and weighed what it would look like to move to Greenville instead. We appreciated the intentionality of the church that was woven all throughout the website, also the fact they hosted Simeon Trust Workshops, and were encouraged by the preaching series through Leviticus—we listened all summer long prior to our move! When we received a rather incredible job offer in Greenville, we took the plunge and moved down. I reached out to Abe Stratton and he recruited a dozen guys to help us move in. This gesture helped seal the deal. We immediately felt like we were surrounded by family—and we were! The generosity and Christ-like kindness of Heritage have blessed us ever since.
You just finished your internship. You read and wrote essays on twelve reading assignments. What’s been the most insightful assignment you read and why?
The most challenging week of the internship was also my favorite. I was required to read three books for this particular assignment, followed by the written essay. They were insightful and practical and I was blessed through their study. I was assigned Mark Dever’s book, Disciplining: How to Help Others Follow Jesus, and Jonathan Leeman’s two books, Understanding Church Discipline and Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus.
My main takeaway was simply the power of a relationally intimate church. I am talking about close discipleship, hospitality, being together often, brotherly affection, fellowshipping over meals, and pouring into each other’s lives. Leeman pointed out that many instances of church discipline can be avoided when the church shares deep relationships which allow for loving correction and admonishment before sin grows. Obviously, it can’t always be avoided, and God has instituted this discipline for the restoration and purity of His church. I am thankful for Heritage’s faithful practice of this means of grace!
Mark Dever’s work focused on disciple making. He revealed how disciple making was not for the “professionals” but rather for all Christians. It is a practice that allows people into the daily pain and struggle of one’s life; letting people see the mess and bringing people into your weakness to show that the gospel of Jesus Christ is all that you depend on. It is an encouragement for all Christians, weak or strong, to take up Jesus’ command to the church of making disciples of all nations.
The picture that Mark and Jonathan painted was of a church who knew each other intimately so that Christ might be lived out in the intimate part of their lives. I was very encouraged by these readings and am thankful for the challenge now and for my own future ministry.
You joined us for elders’ meetings over a span of three months. Encourage our church with what you learned and observed in those meetings.
Elders’ meetings are full of prayer, good fellowship, laughing, tears, and rich conversation. I learned that the elders systematically present and pray for each family at Heritage. I am thankful for the elders God has given to lead Heritage. They have a great love for the people of God and for the Word of God. There is a serious desire to pursue the Lord and to shepherd his people. May the Lord bless their work!
What are your desires vocationally for the future and how can we pray for you?
My hope is that a congregation would call me to be their pastor after I graduate. I just began my second year at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I have loved the education they have given me so far. They have a sincere love for the Word of God and are committed to providing the church with men who both know the Word of God and who live it out. Pray the Lord will shape me into such a man. And pray that the Lord will continue to sustain my family as we finish out this demanding season.
Finally, tell us something we might not know about you—a hobby, a quirk, a special skill, something got any favorite teams or hobbies or special skills we can roast you about. Anything, but it better be good.
I can roll my eyebrows. Like, a wave. Imagine someone doing “the worm” dance move, but instead of a whole person dancing, it’s my eyebrows. Speaking of dancing, I love dancing. I have been swing dancing since high school and generally just love to throw it down on the dance floor.
