2026-2027 AMI Interns

Ashley Yu

Ashley was born and raised in Orange County, CA and graduated from UCI with a degree in Language Science. She enjoys going out with friends, working out, golfing, and fashion. Ashley is honored to serve God in this way and humbled that the Lord called her to serve His people and participate in His Kingdom work internationally. She was planning on going to graduate school for speech-language pathology, but decided to step out in faith and say “yes” because God’s plans are so much greater than her own. She wants to spend this next year abiding with Jesus and loving the people of Guatemala with the Father’s heart. Ashley is excited to witness God’s faithfulness and glory displayed throughout her 1-year internship!

Deborah Zewdie

Born in London, Deborah has spent her entire life travelling! Originally from Ethiopia, she also lived in the UK, Pakistan, and South Africa. She came to California in 2021, attending Biola University to study Biology, and Theology. Here, the Lord sparked her passion for teaching Scripture! Through a missions trip to the Middle East, she felt a great burden to serve the Muslim community, leading her to AMI 1Y. She currently serves as a 5th grade Sunday school teacher, and works at Biola as a lab professor. In her free time (if such a thing exists…) Deborah enjoys practicing ukulele and reading Pride and Prejudice.

Derick Kwon

Derick grew up in Southern California and graduated from UCSD with a joint major in Mathematics and Economics. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, spending time with friends, and resting at home. During his time at Church of Southland, he served the youth, college, and young adult groups in various capacities. He worked at a biotech startup for over five years prior to committing to the AMI 1 Year Internship. Through this internship, he hopes to be made more like Jesus, serve the locals faithfully, and catch a vision for a Kingdom-first life.

Jennifer Kim

Jenn was born and raised in Orange County, California. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to study Psychology and Nursing at Emory University, where she also joined Journey Church of Atlanta. After living in ATL for eight years, she moved back home and started attending Church of Southland – Anaheim.

Jenn worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a private practice before committing to this one-year internship. She said “yes” to the Lord’s invitation because she desires to go wherever He leads, trusting that a life surrendered to Him is the path to the greatest peace, joy, and fulfillment.

She enjoys journaling, reading, playing piano/singing, and spending quality time with people – whether catching up over coffee or taking walks together. Above all, she finds her deepest joy in walking daily with Jesus.

Karis Kim

Karis grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from the University of California, Irvine with bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Art. After multiple mission experiences and witnessing the miraculous power of God, she decided that there was nothing else she would rather do than say “yes” to God’s invitation. She is overjoyed to be a part of God’s work and is excited to see how He reveals Himself to His children in Jakarta, Indonesia. Some of Karis’ interests include coffee, music, and photography. She enjoys playing Catan, eating too much spicy food, and playing guitar with friends.

Lauren Failor

Lauren was born and raised in Nampa, ID. She attended BIOLA University graduating with a degree in Design. In her free time Lauren enjoys pottery, cooking, and rock climbing. While at Biola she started attending Church of Southland Anaheim and got heavily involved in the college ministry ACTS. While getting her degree in Design Lauren felt God call her to missions opening several door through her undergrad that grew her heart for His Kingdom. She is now excited to spend the next year joining God in His kingdom work and seeing how his love and truth transforms lives!

Samantha Lee

Samantha grew up in South Korea and moved to the United States when she was 14 years old. She spent her teenage years in North Carolina before moving to Southern California for physical therapy school. During that time, she was introduced to Church of Southland through a friend and has been part of the community since. Samantha loves caring for animals, including fostering and enjoys spending time with her two fur babies. She also enjoys exploring coffee shops and discovering local food spots, from popular eateries to hidden hole-in-the-wall gems. She finds great joy and blessing in serving God by sharing the good news and guiding others to know the same awesome God she has come to know personally. Samantha realized there is never a “perfect” time to serve God—only the moment He calls and we respond in faith. Accepting the AMI one-year internship was both the hardest and easiest decision she has made, and she is grateful for the opportunity to grow in her faith and serve during this season.

Seanna Sadie Sta. Ana

Growing up in Southern California, Seanna remained close to home and earned her B.S. in Marketing at Biola University. In her free time, she enjoys going to the movies, baking, and taking day trips to explore nearby cities. Her heart to serve is a response to the overflow of love she continually receives from the Lord and the people He has placed in her life. Committing to AMI 1 YR was born out of a willingness to trust God with her next season, praying it would be just another step of faith walking in boldness and humility for the Lord!

Vivian Nguyen

Born and raised in Southern California, Vivian studied at California State University, Long Beach and earned her B.S. in Food Science. In her free time, she enjoys baking, playing guitar and singing, and spending quality time with family and friends! Through Church of Southland Anaheim, Vivian has had the immense blessing of going on short term missions every summer for the past four years, and has experienced an exponential growth of her heart towards missions. It is through these STMs that God convicted her so strongly to AMI 1YR, and she is filled with joy and gratitude to be invited to join God in His global kingdom work.

Stephan Hahn

Stephan is a student from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a degree in Urban Design/City Planning. He enjoys running around his neighborhood, going on adventurous hikes, and discovering new cafés. Above all, he loves serving in the church and being in the presence of the Lord. Seeing God transform people’s lives continually excites and encourages him. He joined the AMI 1-Year program out of obedience to God’s calling, holding onto the words: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8).

Alina Guan

Alina grew up in New Jersey and recently graduated from New York University with a degree in Finance and Marketing, minoring in Psychology. Since coming to New York, she has been attending Remnant Church, finding joy in serving the college and children’s ministries. She felt God calling her to 1YR last summer and received her placement in Guatemala while serving on a short-term mission trip there. Now she is excited to return, eager to see how God will move and to encounter Him in new ways.

Krystal Ssonko

Krystal was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. She earned her Bachelors of Arts from Wheaton College (MA) in 2021, and moved to Boston, MA in 2022 to work as a Social Media Coordinator. Shortly after moving to Boston, she was introduced to Symphony Church by a close friend, and has faithfully served on the worship and intercessory prayer team for two years. In her free time Krystal enjoys, writing music, going to the movies, and volunteering. During her time in Boston, God has grown Krystal’s heart for intercessory prayer, Christ-centered social justice, and loving her neighbors with an emphasis on Imago Dei (we are all made in the image of God). Krystal is excited to experience God’s love for Cobán!

Claire Li

Claire grew up in Irvine, Orange County until moving to Pasadena to study at ArtCenter College of Design in Concept Design. That’s when she started attending Tapestry LA, at the recommendation of her brother who attends Kairos. Halfway through her freshman year, she radically encountered Christ and gave her life to Jesus. Claire started serving in TapCollege Ministry where God grew her love and passion for service and she went on her first mission trip in the summer of 2023. Since then, God has continually grown her heart for missions and finally led her to take the step of applying for AMI 1 Year.

Lydia Gee

Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Lydia enjoys playing volleyball and spending quality time with friends and family. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Educational Studies, she began working in the public school system as an HR Specialist. During that time, Lydia started attending Tapestry LA Church, where she experienced God’s unconditional love and sustaining grace in a deep and personal way. Her heart for missions and the AMI 1YR program grew out of a desire to deepen her faith and step into a life of humble obedience. Lydia is grateful for the opportunity to partner with God and see how He will work in Japan!