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.

By Ally Avozani