Risk Comfort
If you are anything like me, the sheer size of the problem can be paralyzing. I do not pretend to have all the answers, but here is a place to start. Start by talking about it with your family. Talk to your kids, in an age-appropriate manner. Kids of every color need to know that this matters. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Use your voice to talk about it at church, in your Connect group, with your friends. I’m asking my kids how they are going to use their voices. Boldly speak up and stand up when you see prejudice, hate, or injustice. Risk comfort and reach out to those who look different than you.
God Uses All of It
In the past month, though, a global pandemic has changed the way we do church, which begs the question, “If part of being the Church means serving those around us, how do we do that when we’ve been asked to stay home? How can we be the hands and feet of Jesus to others when we’re supposed to stay six feet away from them?” Many of our regular routines and activities have been suspended during this season, but a foster family can’t press pause on caring for the kids in their home. In fact, as kids are home full-time from school and other activities, foster kids need the love and support of adults in their lives more than ever. No one knows that better than foster moms like Jackie and Shannon.
The Secret to Contentment
If our feelings of being “over it” drive our actions, then our actions will battle or deny the reality that “it” is not over. It is better for our actions to remain anchored in reality and that we learn how to train our feelings accordingly.
Not for Ourselves
When people are in need, the back of my car usually fills up. It has been filled to the brim with things that people need—people who matter, who are loved by Jesus, and who should be loved by the people that follow him. When people are in need, the back of my car fills up thanks to so many in this church family coming together to step up and help out. And it is a privilege to see it.
Let Us Be Bacon
The Church, in its truest form, is carried in the people who bear the name of Christ. If this week church for me looks like worship with my wife and kids, I welcome the opportunity. If for you, it looks like connecting with your people digitally and together engaging in the service online, then make the most of it. Doing so is not a lesser version of church—it is what the Church does in these exact circumstances.
Burning Brighter Together
With his unique perspective on Black History Month, Thomas’ hope was that families would be entertained, of course, but that they would also leave the theatre with expanded viewpoints. “Just opening them up to new experiences so people can have those conversations,” he says.
Burning Brighter Together
With his unique perspective on Black History Month, Thomas’ hope was that families would be entertained, of course, but that they would also leave the theatre with expanded viewpoints. “Just opening them up to new experiences so people can have those conversations,” he says.
More Than Hoped For
While in Kenya, Paige spent time with one of our global partners, Tazama Nia. This organization works with women, children, and vulnerable individuals in the slums of Nairobi. Paige was able to be a part of facilitating Tazama Nia’s summer Bible clubs, and through this, discovered a passion within herself for working with children.
A Personal Focus for the Year
Your personal holiness matters and is the very best thing you can offer the people and communities God has placed you in.
Where God Guides
“How can we be a part of what is breaking God’s heart as well?” asks Michelle Hamilton. She had no idea that God would call her into schools to minister to students. But God is always working, and she has seen that in her life. Every year, Summit designates the offering collected during Christmas Eve services to go to an organization outside our walls. We are so excited to come alongside Michelle and her volunteers’ work as this year’s offering will be given toward their ministry.
It Must Be a Gift
Truth can feel terribly old-fashioned these days. Jesus made use of story to speak difficult truth in a way that could capture the hearts of everyone—the uneducated and those who were too educated for their own good. To both the first-century farmer and the modern businessman, the seed strangled by the weeds of worry is all too relatable. To the Pharisee and to the prejudiced, the good Samaritan exposes the ugliness that might be otherwise be hidden behind 10 dollar words. Children can understand stories. Grown-ups (like me) can endure their truth, which—in another form—I might easily reject. Because even where a story exposes my sin, there is something sweetly healing about the sting.
A Lasting Impact
The FCA students choosing to join Summit for niceSERVE gave us a glimpse of some of the amazing things our local schools have to offer—the relationships that only they can build, the influence that only they can have, and the skills that only they can offer.
He Sees Me
“The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Jesus’ voice rose as he ended his story with a burst of confidence and hope. Even I could feel it.
True Love Shown
Shanon and Alejandro have worked in the arts for many years. When they felt the call to share the love of Jesus through dance at the Fringe Festival, they asked several in their church community to be a part of such a show. Through the hard work and many hours interpreting the story of “The Light Princess,” they knew it was worth the effort because it was a show that glorified God.
Rewriting the Story
How often do we feel ourselves drawn to something bigger, something more, something different? We can all relate to that. But how often do we also find ourselves longing for a sneak peek of our story before taking that first step?
Change in Place and Pace
As much as we have enjoyed traveling and reveled in our truly full summer, we never imagined not returning to our lives and to our church family. Being confident in the life God has given us is what gave us permission to enjoy the change in place and pace that we had during our sabbatical.
This Time is Enough
As the week progressed, this undertone of friendships independent of language or abilities seemed to seep into each and every heart.
The Summer Interns of 2019
As summer comes to an end, so does our time with our four summer interns. It has been a pleasure to have each of them around and we are so thankful for their time and hard work these past few months. But before we say goodbye, we wanted to take some time to check in and see what they did during and what they thought of their internship.
Fish Guts & Gratitude: A Look Back at "Jonah & The Wave Breakers"
As the cast and crew broke down the set, put away props, and hung up costumes for the last time, my head swirled with thoughts. Gratitude for the experience. Love for everyone involved. Amazement at the support the show received... and wonderment at where the time went. The final performance of Jonah & The Wave Breakers marked the end of an almost four-month journey for most of the cast and crew. But for me, it began over two years ago.
Certain in Faith
Ethan realized he couldn’t be perfect on his own. He needed Jesus. While he was still in middle school, he started talking about the duality in his life with his Surge leaders, which alleviated much of the stress and shame. His Connect group embraced his vulnerability, which fostered an environment of trust and openness. Being able to confess and discuss his thoughts and feelings lifted a burden off of Ethan, and it freed him up to start praying and really listening to God.