07 Jun Unity in Christ
Things are just getting started for Summer LINK here in Clemson, but even at the beginning of our journey it is hopeful to see the Lord already at work. To kick things off, we headed out to the lake for an orientation weekend with the purpose of preparing our hearts and minds to serve the Lord in the busy weeks ahead. This was a fruitful and encouraging weekend as we were able spend time getting to know one another and looking forward to how we will serve the Lord in Clemson this summer.
One focus of the weekend was spending time studying the Word of God together as a team. We focused on Ephesians chapter 4, which talks about our identity in Christ and how we live in accordance with that identity. In Ephesians 4:1-3 Paul urges the Ephesians to live in light of our calling as Christians and the unity we have in the Spirit:
?I therefore,?a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to?walk in a manner worthy of?the calling to which you have been called,?with all?humility and?gentleness, with?patience,?bearing with one another in love,??eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in?the bond of peace.?
As our team begins the summer, we strive to be a group of individuals characterized by unity. We all share one mission, one calling, one baptism, and one Lord, and it is our desire that this unity and love we have for one another will be a light as we serve the Clemson area. Although we are all serving in different areas of ministry, we are praying that the Lord would bring us together in unity and use us mightily in Clemson during the next eight weeks.
We have been blessed to see this unity in the College Summer Small Group that began a few weeks before the other SummerLINK ministries kicked off. During the first few meetings, people from various backgrounds and colleges have joined in, that may not have been involved in a Crosspoint small group before. Despite our differences, we have had fruitful and meaningful discussion and prayer together as we wrestle with various topics about what it looks like to follow Christ. It has been encouraging to see some of these newcomers readily jump in to help serve food for a Children?s Ministry event this past Sunday. Through only a few small group meetings, it has been beautiful to see how the Lord unifies his people for His glory and His mission.
As the other ministry areas start getting under way, we continue to pray for unity as we pursue Christ and seek to further His kingdom. We are excited to see what God will do as we prayerfully trust Him to use us for His glory!
Phillip Wilson
Summer LINK Clemson