15 Jun And So It Begins
SLINK Charleston @ Launch Retreat
Summer LINK Charleston is now in its second week! God has brought an awesome team to Charleston this year. ?We began the Summer with a launch retreat at Tracy’s Camp about an hour and half from Charleston. ?The first day there was a great time of no structure, other than obligatory introductions, and hanging out with one another. ?We played catchphrase which was awesome because you always get to hear the humorous thins people say when they are under pressure.
During the weekend we got to meet everyone and God really has brought an amazing crew from all over to Charleston this summer. ?We have students from Clemson, Anderson, College of Charleston, The Citadel, Virginia Tech, NC State and a couple others that are attending as they can. ?We have about 15 students this summer and it has been an incredible time so far of seeing how God has brought so many people together, all at different points in their relationship with him and how he is teaching them this summer.
We kicked off the theme for the summer, which is Convinced and Compelled, by having a teaching time on day 2 of the retreat. We went through 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and talked about how Christ’s love is our One Conviction and how that conviction is something that we cannot keep to ourselves. ?The rest of the retreat was given to relational building through low structure hangout time.
The first week got started on Monday, June 5th. ?One of the most encouraging things to see in our team is everyone’s desire to be with one another. ?So even when we do not have things planned everyone is blowing up the GroupMe with things to do. ?Monday’s are free for students. ?Tuesday’s are our Theme Meetings where we are going over some aspect of Gospel Identity/Christian Living. ?The first week we went through how life as a Christian is and should be lived as a life of Celebration. ?Romans 8:1, which says, “For there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” defines this well. ?We looked at the story of the Prodigal Son and how the Father is the reason we Celebrate because of his great mercy. ?Wednesdays are free as well. ?We have Centerpoint Church community groups throughout the week which they are getting involved in as well. ?Thursdays we have our Discipleship Groups which are an in depth time between a leader and a few of the students. ?Most of our groups have broken out into 1 leader with 3-4 disciples in the group. ?Friday’s we will be serving with a ministry in the inner-city of Charleston, as well as a social, where we go do something together as an SLINK team which students plan. ?This past week we went to a concert basically on the beach and then went to Baskin Robbins. Saturday mornings we have set aside to do Bible Study and Evangelism training. ?Then Sundays we have them serve at church, either in kids, security or volunteer/welcoming people to service.
Needless to say, things have begun and are going great! We are excited to see how God is going to work in the lives of everyone who has a part in Summer LINK.