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 Clemson: Christ our Sustainer

Our second week in Tigertown has come to a close, and what a great week it was! The Lord blessed our week in so many different ways. Thursday nights we meet in different church members' homes to fellowship with them over a meal and conversation of God's grace in their lives. The Finley family was gracious to host us this past week. We had a delicious meal prepared by Cayce, and a sweet time getting to know this awesome family of seven! It was a blessing to be loved on and encouraged by such a great family through their hospitality and sharing of what our precious Savior has done in their lives.

Many of us on the team are taking summer classes, working long hours, or doing both in addition to the responsibilities that come with serving our local church body through Summer LINK. Therefore when the weekend approaches, we welcome it with open arms!

Friday is the night designated as our “socials” night. Each week we alternate the structure of our social.  We start out with a larger more structured event planned by Sean and Sammi, and the next week is meant to be something low key and planned amongst ourselves. We call these “group dates.” “Group dates” are intended to be a time for us to continue to fellowship with one another through fun activities! These nights can be as a whole group, or we could choose to split and do different things in smaller groups. The purpose is to have a fun time that allows us to relax and continue building relationships with one another. 

This past Friday marked our first group date social. The guys planned for us to eat dinner at Paw’s, a local diner, and then head to Clemson’s campus to play Frisbee golf! During dinner an intense storm arrived, and we thought we wouldn’t be able to play. However, the Lord was gracious and eventually the storm subsided enough for us to begin playing in a light rain. It turned out to be a great evening full of laughter, playing in the rain, and encouraging one another! I was really encouraged by our two guys, Victor and Edward, as they stepped and took leadership over this night! They took initiative to make plans and served the girls well by being patient and encouraging as they taught many of us to play Frisbee golf for the first time.

Saturday is designed to be our day of rest, so we all are generally doing very different things. This past Saturday, Crosspoint’s youth had a lake day so those on our team serving with the youth for the summer spent their Saturday afternoon on the lake loving on the students and building relationships with them. The rest of us spent our day doing various things as we all sought to be rejuvenated for the next week!

Sundays are always a big day for us. We arrive an hour before the first service to come alongside the other staff and help complete whatever needs to be done for Sundays to operate smoothly. These tasks always look very different. Some of the team helped set up the café area and prepared to greet people as they arrived, while others served with the kid’s ministry. This summer I am serving with Crosspoint’s college ministry; ergo my primary responsibility on Sunday morning’s is making sure everything for our college discussion groups is set up and ready to run smoothly.

The college discussion groups happen during the 11:00 service. Each week we discuss the passage/sermon that was just preached during the 9:00 service. It is a great time for food, fellowship, and time together studying God’s word. This past Sunday we had great discussion over 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10! Many good discussions broke out as we digested what we had just heard about God’s righteous judgment and discussed how the hope the Thessalonians had is the same hope we can trust in today! Praise the Lord that Christ is glorified through judgment and mercy!

As I reflect on these past two weeks, I am beyond thankful for the Lord's love and faithfulness. It has been a joy experiencing and witnessing the different ways in which the Lord answers prayers and equips his children to do work for His Kingdom. Whether that be through being refreshed by hearing of God's work in others lives, encouraging one another as we labor through long days or difficult situations, extend grace to one another when we fall short, or merely just providing one another with biblical, Christ-loving community! Regardless of our own faithfulness, our Lord is never changing and forever GOOD! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

By: Hannah Milroy 

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

SummerLINK Myrtle Beach: Life at the Sea Mist

It's hard to believe another week has come and gone! A lot has happened and changed in such a short amount of time. Where to begin?! This past week has looked almost nothing like the first. While the first week was filled with orientation activities and a LOT of hanging out, this week began to shape the rest of the summer as students started jobs and we began our regular week night activities. Thus, the amount of hang out time has been greatly condensed. But praise the Lord because He is doing work! Here is just a quick snapshot starting with last Saturday where the last blog post left off:

After a morning of reaching out to and connecting with several of the lifeguards, we spent the afternoon and evening getting a real feel for Myrtle Beach. We began the evening with a round of putt putt at Mount Atlanticus, boys vs. girls style. And though the girls fought valiantly, we were beat out by the slightly more athletic men. To top the night off, we walked through the heart of "The Strip," taking in the sights and the sounds of this entertainment-hungry world. And as if that wasn't enough, we ended with a couple dozen Hot Now Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and milk.

Sunday morning brought much refreshment and sweet connection with fellow believers at Cornerstone Church where we had the opportunity to worship our great God and dive into Matthew 7:1-5. This served as a great reminder that, as believers, we have all come out of darkness and been brought into marvelous light. Only through God's grace do we have the ability and freedom to deal with our own sin before going to our brother or sister in love that they might also see their sin. Also, Sunday night was a sweet time of fellowship as we joined Cornerstone for their first beach baptism of the summer. How wonderful to see such joy among church member's for the four who publicly professed Christ as their Savior!

With Monday came the first day of jobs for many on our team. Between Chick-fil-A, Sea Mist front desk and registration, Planet Hollywood, and other boutiques or camps or church offices, this team is not only on mission while we attend Cornerstone or at our nightly team events. They have jobs for income, but also for the sake of Christ, to spread the news of His great Gospel!

So, while many of our days are spent doing work of all kinds, we pray the Lord uses the activities of each weeknight to faithfully grow us up in Him. First of all, Monday night was reflection night. This is time set aside to spend alone or together, reflecting on what God is doing in each of our hearts. Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, and other local coffee shops seem to be the favorite locations for reflection.

Tuesday night was my favorite night of the week...home night! We were so blessed by Fred and Wendy Pauly, a family at Cornerstone, who so graciously allowed us to join them for dinner in their home. We spent time getting to know their family and after a delicious dinner, s'mores over the fire, and a little backyard football, we sat around their living room and had the privilege to hear them talk about what the Lord has done in their lives. What a blessing to hear testimony after testimony of the Lord's faithfulness in their lives!

Wednesday we had our first co-ed Bible study. This proved to be a fruitful time as we discussed Sunday's sermon in greater depth. If anything is to knit us together, it is the Word of God as we all seek to know Him better and to be more obedient! Ryan and I were also able to share our testimonies. It was a privilege to share, not only what the Lord has done in my life, but also to see what He is doing in others. He is SO faithful!

Moving right along to Thursday, we had Men's and Women's Time. While the men played sand volleyball and spent time discussing Biblical Manhood, the women went to Fresh Brewed Coffee House to enjoy some cheesecake and open mic performances after some of our own good discussion on Biblical Womanhood. We are trusting God to develop us into the men and women He desires us to be and time like this is so key to our growth in those areas!

The weekends will be our most unstructured time around here. This means we have time to do things like ENO by the pool, put puzzles together, and eat meals together. Even now, I am thankful for a time to rest after a busy week and after a time of evangelism at Market Common this morning. How refreshing it was to spend a few hours engaging people in Gospel conversations. While we were rejected a few times, we were able to have a few fruitful conversations where people heard the Gospel. It is our prayer that we were faithful and that God will be effective here, and that he will continue to foster the seed of truth planted in their hearts today.

And we hope the same things for this team this summer...that He will be faithful and effective in our lives as we continue to grow in our relationship with our Father and in our desire to be obedient to His Word as we desire to make disciples of all nations...disciples of Myrtle Beach.

Written by Corey Dickinson

Summer LINK Clemson: First Week Experience

    

Wow, the first week of Summer LINK Clemson has ended and there are plenty more to come. I am excited to say that I am not ready for the summer to end even though it as just begun.

Throughout this week, we have all learned more about each other and also the leaders and the leaders' families within the church. The two host dinners have been amazing! The food, fellowship, and stories have been great! Our group has learned more about how the elders of Crosspoint Church came to their relationship with Christ, as well as their spouses’ testimonies. We have been blessed to have Q&A with the families and have gotten to hear the lovely stories of how they courted in their younger days.

Lastly, throughout this week, I have been greatly discipled by Sean Alford, Will Jackson, and other godly men within the church. I can wait to hear more about the Word and stories about their lives that will help me through my walk with Christ.

By: Edward Fowler

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

Summer LINK Myrtle Beach: Week 1

Bike week is over, but cheer up... Summer LINK has started!

On Tuesday, May 28, our Summer LINK Myrtle Beach team arrived at the coast to begin what we trust will be the most fruitful summer of our lives! After an afternoon of settling in and getting acquainted with the Sea Mist Resort, we traveled over to Cornerstone Church to begin the first of three orientation sessions. It was there that we dove into Ephesians 2:1-10 together to see God's purpose in having each of us in Myrtle Beach this summer. We discussed how we were once dead individuals, walking in sin and darkness; however, God has made us alive together, raised us together and seated us together in Christ. We are now unified in mind and mission for God's glory! Based upon this truth, we desire to grow as disciple makers through reaching the lost together, serving the church together and living in gospel community together!

With Wednesday morning came our second orientation session, where we discussed how Philippians 2:1-11 teaches that humility a) must characterize believers, b) is only found in Christ and c) exalts Christ for God's glory! We expressed our desire to serve God through serving the Church, the city and one another. I was so blessed to see the that the Lord was knitting our hearts together! Pastor Russ Bennett of Cornerstone Church then shared about Cornerstone's history and heart to be a healthy church that proclaims the Word of God in the midst of such lostness. After orientation, we grabbed a quick lunch, discussed a few administrative details, and embarked on our first team-building activity: The Scavenger Hunt. We split in two groups and raced to solve riddles, complete various tasks and ultimately rendezvous at a park to share stories, enjoy watermelon, and play outside. 

Thursday brought our final orientation session. Here we discussed how Ephesians 4:1-16 teaches us to a) live lives that reflect the gospel, b) live as part of the one body of Christ, and c) live to build the body of Christ. We discussed how God has uniquely made us and yet how God has deeply unified us in Christ, a unity that we must be eager to maintain. We know we will inevitably encounter conflict, both from without and within the team, but we desire to handle it biblically. We desire to humbly speaking truth to one another so that Christ will mature us as he builds up his body in love. This discussion of unity paved the way for our team to break off into three ministry teams (Outreach, Hospitality, and Socials), in which the students were entrusted with real ministry responsibility for the summer. After each team prayed, brainstormed, and planned for a while, their passion for and ownership of the vision was clearly visible! We spent the rest of the afternoon together on the beach, connecting with one another and some families sitting nearby.

On Friday, the students spent most of the day taking care of job-related responsibilities. Several students had meetings while others applied for new jobs. That evening we gathered together to discuss how the day was and then took time to discuss Saturday's outreach. Our outreach team cast vision for how we can pursue the two (at least) lifeguards whose posts are out in front of Sea Mist. Some of our team had already had multiple conversations with these lifeguards, so we decided to continue reaching out to these guys by bringing them some gifts they would enjoy on the job and by getting to know them and bringing them the gospel. We all decided to go to Walmart together to build two "gospel gifts" for the guys, consisting of two water bottles, trail mix, bananas, sunflower seeds, gum, chap stick, and a mini fan, all of which fit inside an insulated lunch bag. 

This morning, Saturday, we gathered together to rehearse the gospel and pray before going out on the beach. We then set out in two groups and delivered the gifts to the lifeguards, who we learned are an American named Alex and a Polish guy named Jon (pronounced "yon"). We had great conversations with them, learning who they were, their religious background and their work schedule. We shared who we were, why we are down here, and that as followers of Christ we desire to get to know them and serve them. We invited them to Cornerstone and they invited us to join them in some Sunday afternoon volleyball! We will likely see Alex and Jon multiple times per week for the next 10 weeks! Pray that the Lord would bring them to faith in Christ and that they would join Cornerstone through our continued outreach! Ultimately, pray the the Lord would continue to work in and through our team for his glory! 

Post by: Ryan Heard