Continuing to Serve and Grow: My MFSA Internship Journey
By Camille Bianca Manangan, MFSA Organizing Associate
As I continued my internship with the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) this Spring semester, I can truly say that I have grown in ways I did not expect. Looking back at where I started, I was unsure of myself and still adjusting to the challenges of an online internship. But now, I feel more confident not only in what I can do, but also in who I am becoming.
This semester, I became more comfortable and open with my supervisor. I wholeheartedly participated in my weekly supervision meetings, sharing things about my studies, and I was also able to understand more deeply the importance of the work of MFSA and how it continues to stand for justice, human rights, and the dignity of all people through our open conversations. I found myself not just listening, but also reflecting and connecting with new learnings to my own faith and experiences. It made me realize that social action is not just something we study, but something we live out.
One of the most important things I learned this semester is how to appreciate both my strengths and my vulnerabilities. Before, I would often focus on what I could not do in this online internship, especially when I faced challenges like unstable internet, health issues, or exhaustion. But through this experience, I learned that my willingness to keep showing up, even when things are difficult, is also a strength. I learned to be more patient with myself and to see that growth does not always look perfect.
I am deeply grateful for my mentor, Bridget Cabrera, the Executive Director of MFSA. Her guidance, patience, and encouragement helped me navigate both the work that I have to do for MFSA and my personal struggles. She saw my potential even when I doubted myself, and she created a space where I felt supported and heard. Because of her, I was able to continue learning and growing with confidence not just in my internship but with life in general.
MFSA has truly been a meaningful place for me as an intern. It is not just an organization, but a safe space that cares deeply about justice and people. MFSA showed me that they cared about me when I had a hard time caring for myself as a Theo student and as a person. Being part of MFSA has helped shape my understanding of what it means to serve, especially as someone who wants to keep being involved in faith and advocacy. It showed me that even from afar, I can still be part of something bigger than myself.
Overall, this second semester of my internship has been a journey of growth, resilience, and deeper understanding. I am thankful for the lessons, the challenges, and the people who walked with me through it. This experience will continue to guide me as I move forward in my calling to serve others with faith, compassion, and courage. This may be the end of my MFSA internship but the lessons I have learned are something that will surely take me to the future that God has already laid out for me.
Camille Bianca Sumera Manangan (she/her/hers) is a dedicated leader in faith, justice, and advocacy. She served as an intern with the General Board of Church and Society in 2018 and is currently a board member of the General Commission on Archives and History’s Center for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Management from the University of the East – Manila. She served as a Global Mission Fellow in the United Kingdom from 2022-2024. Camille is now continuing her theological studies at Drew Theological School in New Jersey.