Summer LINK Raleigh: Unless the Lord Builds the House

Summer LINK Raleigh: Unless the Lord Builds the House

     A verse that seems to fit my thoughts on this first week of Summer LINK is Psalm 127:1: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” This truth radically changes my initial attitude toward the summer.

     As I have often done, my preliminary thoughts on the summer were focused on what I was going to do and not do. My hopes and fears were filled with thoughts of diligent work that I would do to produce fruit for the kingdom, but a fear of the slothfulness that hinders this. These are not necessarily bad thoughts, but they are certainly incomplete.

     Conviction about the incompleteness and sinfulness of my initial mindset came on Monday at our team’s first Equip Night at the house of Tim Brannigan—the Director of Missions at Open Door. It was an evening of godly hospitality and freaking cool stories from Tim and Nancy’s early missionary career, but what struck me most was the discussion on prayer towards the latter part of the evening.

     The Holy Spirit stirring a desire for a deeper prayer life in my heart has been especially potent the last few months, and one of the impetuses has been noticing that every Christian that has done much for the fame of God’s name has also had a deep prayer life. After hearing about Tim’s life, I wanted to verify this observation with him, too. And sure enough, my suspicions were valid. This man’s prayer life certainly humiliates me—and I’m guessing it does the same for many believers around me. The most astonishing statements Tim made that have stuck with me are “One of the most fun things for me to do is pray” and “When we pray, we see God work.” My heart has been meditating on these statements ever since.

     Do I have fun when I pray? Do I really enjoy God through prayer? Or are many of my prayers cold obligations? Sadly, I think many times the latter question is the only one that receives an affirmative. And I believe joyful prayers like Tim’s are much more fruitful than cold prayers of obligation because they are rooted in the supremacy and satisfaction of Christ. For any fruit to come from SummerLINK, our teams and churches must be saturated in this God-satisfied prayer. And if our prayers are not at this point, we must pray until we are happy in Christ—we must pray until it is “fun.”

     And even more so, do I really believe God works through my prayers? Do I think I can accomplish anything for the kingdom apart from prayer? The answers to these questions are often pitiful as well. But the truth that Tim proclaimed—that when we pray we see God work, and the truth in Psalm 127—that unless the Lord builds the house we labor in vain, are so liberating. The liberation lies in their taking focus off of us and onto God Himself. The summer is no longer about what we will or won’t do, the summer is about what God will do. All we must do to take part in the Holy Spirit’s work by having the “fun” of praying.

     So, in conclusion, to gather what I’ve learned from the first week of Summer LINK: Unless the Lord builds Summer LINK, we labor in vain. To broaden the truth, unless the Holy Spirit makes disciples through the local church, we labor in vain. So let us beg God, beg him to work. Let’s eagerly yearn to have the joy of seeing the Holy Spirit change lives in ways impossible for us, all for the glory of Christ. Let’s spend this summer learning how to pray until it’s fun, so that we can look back on the summer and see fruit for the kingdom, the strengthening of the local church, and glory to Christ.

            By: Tyler Perkins

Summer LINK Raleigh: Reflections on Worship

This Summer I have been working with the summer link team from Open Door. I am doing my internship with the worship pastor here in Raleigh. While doing this it has caused me to think about what worship really is. Yes worship can be considered singing on Sunday mornings for cooperate worship but that is not all worship is. Back in Genesis God created Adam and Eve in the garden and there they had perfect communion with God and were made to have fellowship and to worship him. But, because man chose to sin we are now separated from God. Thankfully, God provided a way though the death and resurrection of His son so that we might have communion with him and be able to worship him. 

This summer I have been doing some reading about spiritual disciplines and about what it truly means to worship. I have been reminded that through Christ’s death on the cross he was the substitute for my sin and because he took my place that it should be no long I who live but Christ who lives in me which is stated in Galatians 2:20. I no longer have to come across God’s wrath from my sin because Jesus sacrifice has overtaken wrath and has covered it with Christ self sacrifice.  Christ death has conquered sin and death in the grave. He took my sin upon himself so that I might live and have fellowship with him. 

Because Christ has done this he has given us a new heart. Our heart is the main organ in our body that keeps us going but it is also an organ that has passions and affections along with desires. But, another thing that comes from the heart is worship. Since our heart’s purpose is to worship we need to guard it.  We need to watch out for the Idols that can come in. This summer I have really been learning this because there are so many different things that I want but I know that they will not be the best for me.   

This internship has been wonderful for me because it has caused me to remember what it is that Christ has done and how he has provided a way for all to be saved. It has also helped me to reflect over my life to see the things that have taken over my heart. It has allowed me to realign my heart with His as he has been transforming my life into something that will honor him and will be an example to the world.

By Josh Poitras 

Summer LINK Raleigh: Ministering Where You Live

I am finding that Summerlink Raleigh is very different from the other SLINK locations. I live in Wake Forest, a tiny town on the outside of Raleigh, so my life is here! I honestly had no idea that our location was so different from the other locations, but hey it is. There have been advantages and disadvantages with serving in the same area I live. Especially at the beginning of the summer, it was hard to balance my job and the relationships I already had in Raleigh with SLINK. I had to learn that my time isn’t actually my time. My time and my life is the Lord’s.

It is really cool that the things I have been learning and practicing have been in my own church! I will be able to continue these relationships I have built with people here. Discipleship will continue after this summer. I have learned from people in my own church body that I may not have gotten the chance to know outside of SLINK, and the cool part is that those relationships can grow and progress throughout my time here at Open Door.

Even as I am trying to write this blog, I am trying to separate the things I have learned from summerlink and the things I have been learning from my life in general. However, I am realizing that the two are not distinct. The relationships I had before summerlink have gone on and they have been with me on this journey. I am doing my life in my local church, with the name of summerlink or without.

This next week, a few of the girls on our team will be starting a youth girls Bible study on Hosea. I am super excited about this study. I have always wanted to do a study on Hosea and grasp a deeper understanding of the book. It can be a difficult book, but it is such a beautiful picture of the gospel. We are just like Hosea’s wife. We are adulators and make idols out of literally EVERYTHING. Hosea sought out his wife when she ran away, found her, and brought her back. We are Christ’s bride. He found us and brought us into relationship when we did not deserve to be brought back. I am excited to study this in more depth and dwell in the richness and the fullness of the gospel.

By Sarah Snow

Summer LINK Raleigh: Joy in the Midst of Suffering

When I first began to serve Open Door through Generation Link I never could have imagined how much of a blessing this year would be. Likewise, I didn’t know what the Lord was up to when I was given the assignment of leading Summer Link Raleigh. But, now that we are more than halfway through Summer Link I can see in many ways that God’s timing and plan have been perfect. I have been able to make some great friends and be part of a great network of people who are passionate about the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that the Lord has placed me within the NACPF and Generation Link family. It’s truly an honor and gift of God’s grace to be a part of such great partnerships for the sake of the gospel and his greatness!

We have learned some great lessons in Raleigh this summer. Two of the major themes that have been present are humility and joy in the midst of suffering.

Humility: Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phil. 2:4)

Pride makes demands. Pride says, “What about me?” Pride is self-focused and makes us turn inward on ourselves. Pride produces grumbling and complaining. If pride takes over we will never experience great relationships within the body of Christ because we can never get past ourselves to see how we can love and serve others. Humility teaches us to stop worrying about our own glory. It teaches us to pour out our lives for the sake of others. Humility yields everything for the sake of others. Without humility there can never be unity. This is why Paul calls the Philippians to unity by giving Christ as the ultimate example of humility (Phil. 2). Here in Raleigh we have learned that effective ministry will not happen without humbly yielding our expectations and desires for the sake of the gospel.

Joy in the Midst of Suffering: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (Phil. 4:4)

When Paul wrote this verse he was in prison chained to a wall in a hole in a ground. His crime was simply loving Jesus and proclaiming his gospel. In Raleigh this summer as we have studied the book of Philippians we have been continually amazed at Paul’s joy in the midst of such terrible circumstances. Paul was so in love with Jesus and so focused on the priority of the gospel that he was able to rejoice in the Lord while in prison. He trusted in a God that is sovereign, good, and wise.

As we studied these incredible words of Paul my family had no idea how God would use them in our lives. After enjoying a great time of fellowship in Myrtle Beach with new friends during Seminary week, I decided to leave Friday night instead of Saturday because my sweet wife was having light contractions. She was 37 weeks pregnant and I couldn’t miss my 4th baby’s entrance into the world. It was a good idea because we were headed to the hospital 5 hours after I got home.

After being in the hospital for more than 12 hours, we were getting close to meeting Isaac. As the doctor came in to check Emily, much to everyone’s surprise, Isaac was coming out backwards. As we were preparing to have a C-section, a nurse informed us there was not enough time. Isaac decided to come into the world bottom first. A rush of doctors and nurses flooded the room for an emergency delivery. I stood back against the wall as I watched two frantic doctors try to deliver Isaac. His head was stuck for 4 minutes. They finally were able to pull his lifeless, pale body out. There I stood, my wife in pain, my baby not breathing or moving. All I could do was cry, pray, and cry some more. But, suddenly the Lord reminded me of his sovereignty. I felt a calmness come over me from head to toe. It was as if he settled my spirit and reminded me that he is in control. I knew then that we would trust in a faithful God no matter what the outcome would be. Isaac never lost his heartbeat and they were able to help him breathe pretty quickly. In the following days, Isaac lay there unable to breathe entirely on his own, bruised and swollen, with wires and hoses connected all over his little body. All we could do was trust God with our child’s life. We knew we would have to respond in faith even if we lost our child. So with open hands we begged God to heal our baby. And by his grace that’s what he did. Isaac spent 11 days in the NICU. We watched him battle with a persistent strength as he gradually got better and better. Now he’s at home breathing and eating like a normal healthy baby! He should have no lasting problems due to his traumatic delivery. We are overwhelmed with the graciousness of our Lord!

So we rejoice in a great God! We have learned that no matter what the circumstance whether prison, conflict, opposition or traumatic experiences if we trust God and pray to him the peace of God which surpasses understanding will guard our hearts and our minds (Phil 4: 6, 7).

As we approach the closing weeks of Summer Link Raleigh, we are thankful for the Lord’s work in our lives. It has been great to watch our team’s excitement about the Lord grow and grow throughout this summer. We are eager to see what the Lord will do throughout the remaining weeks. We expect great things!

Me holding Isaac for the first time

A current picture of Isaac

By Paul Whitfield, Summer LINK Raleigh Director

Summer LINK Raleigh: Mission Trip to Boston

This summer of Summer Link has taught me so much. From our first Equipping Night at Zach Nelson’s house to this last week in Boston I have learned what it means to give of myself in service and to depend on the Lord for strength and purpose rather than searching for it within myself. The Lord has stretched me and pushed me so much this summer, and while it has been hard, I am grateful for it. I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Boston with Open Door, and that week was definitely a highlight of this summer.

This was my first time on this mission trip, and it was definitely a blessing to be able to go. I had been hearing a lot of great things about Redemption Hill and it was amazing to see how this church plant had grown over the past three years. I was so encouraged by the faith of the Pastors and leaders of Redemption Hill, and how they truly did trust God with their church and the work they were doing in the Medford Community. While we were in Boston, our primary focus was Soccer Nights. Through Soccer Nights we were able to reach out to a great number of parents who were watching their kids play. I thought it was so awesome that there was an outreach team and their specific job for Soccer Nights was to share the gospel and love on the parents who were there. It was so encouraging to see the heart of the outreach team to reach these people. Almost everywhere I looked, there were people engaging other people, loving them and trying to share the gospel with them. It was definitely a great reminder of how essential the gospel is and how there are people who need the gospel. It was also a great reminder to be bold with my faith and to be a light to the people around me, not just in Boston, but at home in Raleigh as well.

 Overall, Boston was an amazing trip. I enjoyed spending time with the people from Redemption Hill and serving them and Medford through Soccer Nights. I left Boston encouraged and challenged, and I am thankful for the opportunity to go.

By Taylor Hendrickson

Summer LINK Raleigh: Preparation for the Philippines

Oh my how these few weeks have flown by. I feel like the first day of Summer LINK was just yesterday. So my story is a little bit different. I’m not a ten-week Summer LINK staff who attends staff meetings. I do not get to participate in all the big events that we have been planning. I will not be there for the retreat or a celebration at the end. However, I do get the privilege of extending the Summer LINK family to the other side of the world. 

I leave in two weeks for the Philippines. Then for six months I will be doing evangelism and discipleship among an unreached people group. How exciting, right? Summer LINK has been such an encouragement to me in these weeks of preparation. The equipping nights, bible studies, and intentional time with my mentors and leaders have been extremely beneficial to me. There are two main things that I will be able to look back and say: “I remember when this clicked for me during Summer LINK.”

1) Pruning is the placing of God’s word in my heart. It affects the way I live in community with others and make disciples. John 15:1-3 talks about God the Father pruning us as branches. During our first Equipping Night with Zach Nelson we discussed what it means to actually be pruned. Most answers were things like, “trials, tribulations, sin, suffering.” While these things are correct, the main answer was the placing of God’s word in our hearts. This is when we are pruned; when the bad is stripped away from us. When the Living Word of God speaks into our hearts and conforms us more into the image of our Creator. What does this mean? Spend time in the Word. I will not just read with the intention of learning about God or about the Bible. I will not just read Psalms or Proverbs to feel all squishy and warm inside. I will read the Living Word with the intention of God speaking truth into my life to sometimes painfully conform me more unto Himself. What will it do? It will change my relationships. I will live humbly with those around me. I will love them like Christ does. If I must confront I will do it lovingly and with God’s Word not with my own. It will transform those around me. 

2)  Calvinism. What? Really, Laura? You want to write a blog about Calvinism? Yes. I do. But not exactly. I’ve been fighting through these different views to see where I come out. I’ve been back and forth, angry, confused, and distracted. I had conflicting ideas within my head and I needed to do something about it. What a better place than around a campfire? (welcome to Summer LINK Raleigh where we have theological conversations day in and day out.) I do not have the space to spill out all my thoughts or all the words that came out of everyone’s mouth that night, but I do have my conclusion. Now I really don’t care which side you stand on in this battle, but I want you to hear me out. Here is my vague and non-Tulip conclusion about where I stand on this issue. I do not say this to convince anyone or educate you. I simply want to share how I am growing, and this was a big step!

First, there is a Great Commission. This implies urgency to go and tell all people. Second, you cannot deny Ephesians 2 that all people are dead before Christ gives grace.  Third, there is Romans 10. “… and how are they to hear without someone preaching? … So faith comes from hearing, and hearing the word of Christ.” My conclusion: Salvation is in the hands of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, thus people teaching the Word of God. Jesus commands us to go and tell. Therefore, it is not in our hands who is able to respond to God’s grace. We also do not know who God has chosen, therefore, GO TELL EVERYONE. Is it sad that people go to Hell? Absolutely, we should never lose that grief. Is it amazing that God even chooses to save some (billions and billions) from eternal damnation? Absolutely, we should never lose our thankfulness for his mercy. Is there tension? Yes, but rest comfortably knowing that you are not in control, but that our Sovereign God is. And go and tell this glorious Gospel so that more may hear of saving grace!

I am so thankful for everything the Lord is doing in my life and how we are able to serve our local church. While the other interns are doing dirty work, I have had the privilege of attending the events and reaping the wisdom from those who sit around me. I praise God for this group and the mighty things that will happen this summer and beyond!  

Camping with the Summer LINK team this past week

By Laura Hahn

Summer LINK Raleigh: Jesus is the Answer to Pride

I flew from Miami (Providence Road Church) to Raleigh to participate in Summer LINK at Open Door Church. It has been an amazing experience so far, and a humbling one as well. I came here thinking about how I couldn’t wait to serve the preschool ministry every day of the week, and alongside that, getting to invest in new friendships here in North Carolina. But, after the first few days of Summer Link, my expectations seemed to diminish. I found myself tired, homesick, and found it hard to serve the preschool kids at OBDC. At this moment I needed to go back to God and His Word. It was then that I realized the lesson that God was going to teach me this summer: Humility.

 Studying the book of Philippians with the Summer LINK team has been so encouraging and uplifting to me. Philippians chapter 2 says: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others” v 3 to 4. This verse was so convicting, because I was just being selfish and looking out for my own interests and what would make me comfortable or happy. Paul continues in his letter just a few more verses after, saying that the perfect example of humility is Jesus Christ. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross…” v8. Christ is the perfect example of humility that me as his daughter, am learning more on more serving the preschool ministry. I love the kids and the ladies I work with, and day by day God continues to pour His grace over me and teach me what it means to count others more significant than myself. I chose to do Summer LINK for that very reason. For God to stretch me and use this summer for His glory in whatever way He sees fit. Christians should be characterized by humility. It can only be found in Jesus Christ and it exalts Christ for Gods glory.

Recent Activity:

This past week we went to NC state with the Summer LINK team to get a feel for a good place to play Kan Jam (a totally foreign game to me) so that we could make friendships with the students there and share the Gospel. It was totally so fun, although I am probably the worst player at Kan Jam (see the humility? …or not? ;))

On Monday nights we have equipping nights. Zachary Nelson spoke about church planting through the passage in scripture from John 15. He said how not only does this passage talk about bearing fruit in our personal lives, but it also means fruit outside of ourselves. Fruit that comes with sharing the Gospel and seeing people turn to Christ as their Savior.

Although many of us have been busy with ministry, we still found time to help some our fellow Summer LINKers move. It was also a great time together, and using our “spare time” to serve each other as well. I love how many times we share in Gospel conversations with each other and edify one another by living life together on mission.

Yesterday we were presented to Open Door Church. Besides the fact that I had no idea (hehe, Michael) It was awesome being greeted by the members at Open Door and seeing the family members that we are serving and investing in.

Some of the preschool children I get to work with!

 Some of the Summer LINK girls riding to NC State

By Ally Avozani

Summer LINK Raleigh: Life Together

While in prison, Paul prays a beautiful prayer in Philippians 1: "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now" (vs. 3-5). Summer LINK Raleigh officially began at Open Door Church this past Tuesday, May 28th with Paul Whitfield (Summer LINK Raleigh Director) teaching us from this passage. Paul asked the question, "What does this partnership in the gospel look like for us?" The students shared their excitement about partnering together for the sake of the gospel through Summer LINK. 

In addition to studying the book of Philippians during Summer LINK Raleigh, all Summer LINK students are reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together. Here are a few of the truths the Lord's been showing me about Christian community as I've been reflecting on Life Together and Philippians:

1) Christian community is a privilege 

Bonhoeffer writes, "It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God's Word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing. The imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the Gospel in heathen lands stand alone" (18). It is clear in the book of Philippians that Paul experienced deep Christian community and fellowship with the saints at Philippi and as he is separated from them in prison he "yearns" for them "with the affection that is in Christ Jesus" (1:8). How quick am I to take Christian community for granted! What a beautiful truth that I have the great privilege of walking in fellowship with other believers during Summer LINK and throughout my life!

2) Christian community only happens through Jesus

This may seem obvious to you, and yet I think it is a profound truth. Because of the blood of Jesus, we are united with our fellow believers for eternity! God chooses to put His Word into the mouths of men so that they may speak it to one another. We need other believers to be "bearers and proclaimers of the divine word of salvation" (23).  Philippians 1:6 has long been a favorite verse of mine: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." As we discussed this verse, I saw it in a new light on Tuesday. I have always applied that verse only to my own spiritual growth. And yet, Paul is actually referring to the Philippians as a people, as a community. So, this means that other believers are a necessary part of God completing his work within us!

3) Christian community is an imperfect reality

If you're anything like me, there are times when Christian community does not look the way you imagine it could or should. In a sense, it's good to always desire to grow and to have deeper community. Yet in another sense, we may often face disappointment with community because we have an unrealistic picture in our minds of what it should look like (or a "wish dream" as Bonhoeffer calls it). Every "human wish dream that is injected into the Christian community is a hindrance to genuine community and must be banished if genuine community is to survive" (27). As we sin and are sinned against, it is easy to become disillusioned with Christian community. And yet, sinning and being sinned against is an opportunity to respond in thankfulness that not only we, but our brother/sister has been forgiven by Christ's blood. 

4) The goal of Christian community is the Great Commission

Bonhoeffer writes, "the goal of all Christian community" is believers "meeting one another as bringers of the message of salvation" (23). Paul describes his brothers and sisters at Philippi as partners with him in the gospel. It is as we go into the world with the gospel and show the lost a picture of true community that the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 will be realized and God's kingdom advanced. I pray that as Summer LINK students experience community, they will be driven to penetrate the lostness that surrounds them with the gospel in Clemson, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh, Boston, Seattle, India, and Honduras.

As we begin Summer LINK Raleigh, here are a few specific ways you can be praying:

1) Please pray for deep community and fellowship among the Summer LINK Raleigh team.

2) Pray for the students to be bold with the gospel as most of them work part-time jobs. In addition, please pray for our outreaches into local neighborhoods and campuses.

3) Pray that we would be a blessing to Open Door church and that we would serve the church and their staff well.

Here's a few pictures from our first social this past week...

Paul, the grill master!

We finished the night off with a fun game of fishbowl!

By Jenna Wayment