Meet the Interns

Daniel Phebus
Daniel Phebus is Boone UMC’s Summer 2026 Student-Intern from Duke Divinity School. At divinity school, Daniel is entering his third year in the master of divinity program where he studies with a concentration in worship studies, Wesleyan/Methodist studies, and large church leadership. He is a certified candidate in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and an annually vowed member of the Order of Saint Luke. Daniel’s work finds him preaching and teaching the apostolic hope, seeking after God in study and prayer, and partnering in mission in the shared life of the Church. Additionally, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife Barbara, watching soccer, eating good food, reading, and wandering the great outdoors.

To welcome and support Daniel as he serves with us, we are providing him with meals several nights each week. Click below and sign up to keep Daniel fed while he connects around our beautiful High Country this summer!

Savannah Smith
Savannah Smith is Blackburns’ Chapel’s Summer Intern this summer from Duke Divinity School. Savannah just completed her second year as a Thriving Rural Fellow at Duke Divinity. She is a proud alum of Appalachian State University where she studied Advertising and Religious Studies. During her senior year at App State, she worked at Boone UMC as a Communications Intern and as the Children’s Ministry Assistant. She is thrilled to be back in the area this summer and for an opportunity to learn from Rev. Laura Byrch. Savannah enjoys getting lost in a Jodi Picoult book or any kind of period piece film, and she has a deep affection for storytelling of any sort.

“I believe God has called me to the pulpit to share my love for God and love for people through my own storytelling,” said Savannah. “I love to be outside whether for a long walk or to simply admire God’s creation. I’m honored to join you all for the summer and look forward to learning from each of you!”