Some things never change

The response to COVID-19 has left many of us wondering how to live in this new normal. Sunday morning gatherings have been replaced with live online streams. Community Groups are meeting digitally through online meeting providers. Ministry communication and discipleship has transitioned to phone calls, emails, texts, and pre-recorded videos. While this new reality leads to more questions than answers, certain things never change.

The Unchanging Nature of God’s Promises
Our God continues to be the Sovereign Lord over all things. He is all-knowing and all-powerful, and as such, we can fully trust his character and purposes. The finished work of Christ on the cross and his victorious resurrection from the dead also provide us with great assurance. He has overcome sin and death on our behalf, and our enemy has been defeated and stripped of his power. His Word continues to be perfect and sure, reviving our souls, providing wisdom, and rejoicing our hearts. These unchanging realities serve as the foundation of our faith. They provide stability, confidence, and assurance in times of uncertainty. But they should also lead us to continue living out the purpose of the church.

The Unchanging Purpose of the Church
God has redeemed us as “a people for his own possession” that we may now proclaim his excellencies (1 Pet. 2:9). As new creations in Christ, we have been entrusted with the ministry and message of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-19). Filled with the Holy Spirit, we have been called to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Delegated with the authority of Christ, we are sent into the world to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-19; John 20:21). The purpose of the Church remains the same, even in the face of crisis. As Summit Church, our mission to glorify God by making disciples who represent the gospel to every man, woman, and child continues to lead us as God’s people.

Equipped to Live as God’s People
As we adjust to the new normal in response to COVID-19, the primary question now becomes, how will we live as God’s people in the world? In an effort to equip Summit Church, we will be providing specific resources in the coming weeks that will empower us to live out our mission. One of those primary resources is an online Discipleship Essentials course which will teach us how to reflect our values and outcomes during this season. Additional resources will include podcasts, blogs, and other online tools to help us live as faithful ambassadors of Christ. The result, we pray, will be a people equipped to represent the gospel to every man, woman, and child in the unique places where we live, work, and play.

- Michael Girado

COVID-19 and Peace from Jesus

I am no expert on pandemics. I can barely remember all the protocols that go with hurricane prep. But one thing I’ve come to know throughout my years of walking with the Lord is that He is faithful. It’s a simple truth that can be lost on us if we’re not careful. If there is one thing this COVID-19 coronavirus is teaching us, it’s that life as we know it can change in an instant, and no matter how much we want to feel as though we have control over our lives, the reality is…we don’t.

Sovereign God
So, what are we to do with this reality? Well, we can give this all up to chance, or we can recognize what the Bible declares as Truth: that God is sovereign. In the words of the late Pastor R.C. Sproul, “there isn’t one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of God’s sovereignty.” That is good news. Our lives aren’t determined by chance or chaos, but we are in the hands of a sovereign God. I won’t try to explain why this virus has hit our world. I would simply remind us that we are sojourners and this world is polluted by sin. The next one is not.

Times like these can elicit many different responses and feelings from us – feelings that can range from fear, to worry, to doubt, to sadness. I certainly don’t want to rob anyone of their feelings, but at the same time, we don’t want them to become our steering wheel. Instead, let’s allow them to be an onramp for intimacy with God. The same Savior who came and lived a sinless life, died a brutal death, and paid the ultimate price for your sins and for mine, is the same Savior who intercedes for us now, praying that we will endure (Hebrews 7:25).

These days have certainly come at us fast with news and events unfolding rapidly and fluidly, knocking us off balance. But remember, that is NOT God’s reality. Our God knows all things and His understanding is infinite (Psalm 147:5). His plans cannot be thwarted (Isaiah 46:9-10). So much is changing and will change in the future, but what is of greatest worth, greatest gain, and greatest hope has not. Jesus, our rock and redeemer, is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Peace from Jesus
Today, I want us to be encouraged by the very words of Jesus; “I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Let’s take those words to heart today. The world may be low on peace, but for the believer in Christ, your well of peace is bottomless. Jesus knew we would face challenges – yes, even a coronavirus pandemic – and that is why even before going to the cross He prayed for us (John 17). Even now, ascended into Heaven, He hasn’t stopped interceding for us, and if that isn’t enough, He has also left us His Spirit.

So, let’s do all we can to heed the recommendations being made by the CDC and our national and state governments. Let’s be wise in our “social distancing”. Most importantly, let’s hold fast to our confession of hope (Hebrews 10:23) and to the One who holds fast to us. God bless you.

- Orlando Cabrera

In Person Ministries Suspended

In order to love our neighbors and to follow the governing authorities, we are temporarily suspending all in-person ministries at this time.

If you would like to talk with a Pastor, please contact Evan Lemkuil at Evan@summitlife.com.

If you need prayer or are sick and need help, please contact us at help@summitlife.com.

We will continue to gather virtually online on Sundays at 11am. We encourage you to worship with us there! Click the button below.

A Letter from our Elders

Summit Family,

As the uncertainty of the CO-VID 19 coronavirus continues to unfold before us, it is as important as ever that we hold fast to our faith and to the Lord who upholds us with His right hand (Psalm 63:8) and calls us not to fear (Isaiah 41:13). In times like these, and indeed at all times, we need to lean on the Lord by feasting on His Word, resting in his promises, and pressing into the Body of Christ.

Fear, worry, and anxiety in a time like this are normal. You are not a ‘bad Christian’ or an illegitimate child of God if you are struggling with such feelings. Instead of allowing these feelings to be a path of isolation, let them be an on-ramp for intimacy with God, our Father, and a point of community with His Body. Let us remember and graciously remind one another that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

As we journey through the uncertainty of these days, let’s keep sight of God’s missional heart. Many around us are facing this pandemic without the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The history of the church is bursting with stories of God’s activity through his people, especially in the darkest hours. This is more than a health pandemic; this is a Gospel moment. If we walk with wisdom, we can seize this opportunity for the glory of God and the good of our neighbors. Through sacrificial service, acts of kindness, and grace-filled gospel words, we have the potential to impact the lives of our friends, family and next door neighbors. To that end, let us be prayerful, ever vigilant to the needs of those around us. As followers of Jesus, let's set the standard of what it looks like to love our neighbors and serve the least of these, for these are the norms of the kingdom of God (Matt. 25:40-45).

We are currently unsure of when we will be able to gather again across all of our congregations. We look forward to that day and pray that it will be soon. Until then, we commit to continue streaming online services every Sunday. We encourage you to gather with your family and allow these streams to nourish your souls. And though we won’t be able to gather all together in person, let us remember that the power of our gathering is actually seen in our scattering. So may the Spirit lead us and empower us in the days ahead as we scatter all across our community. We’ll be providing resources and ways to stay connected through regular devotionals, podcasts and more. So stay tuned to our social media channels, emails, and website.

We are also in contact with our Xpansion ministry partners and seeking ways in which we can help them serve our community and world. As more of the needs are made known to us, we will make sure to share them with you. For now, continue to pray with us and let us know how we can serve you and your families. Feel free to reach out to us at help@summitlife.com. We love you and feel extremely blessed to be on mission with you. God bless you!

Helpful links:

WAKE 2020 - Recap

Last weekend, over 130 students from all three student ministries (Gateway, Naples, and University) gathered together at the Naples campus for WAKE 2020. WAKE is a three-day camp where every year the theme is all about waking up to the reality of who God is and our standing with Him. We began the first night of WAKE as we do every year calling upon the Lord in worship and praise through singing. This year, Naples lead pastor, Jeremiah Taylor taught from Genesis chapter one speaking about the brokenness each one of us feels due to sin. He reminded us that each one of us was created by God and that when we live apart from Him, we deny the created order. We continued conversations in our host homes discussing the weightiness of our sin and its effects. Personally, I was surprised at the level of depth in our student's questions and answers.

My experience with Wake this year was incredibly eye opening. Pastor Jeremiah shared powerful messages which influenced many students. He proclaimed the truth about the reality of our sin and God’s rightful presence in our lives. It made me realize that sin is a daily battle that we have to fight, and we don’t have to fight alone when we have God on our side. My small group and I created life long memories by simply having fun and being vulnerable with one another, which is my favorite part about Wake. At church we played may exciting games that created team bonding and lots of laughter. I wouldn’t have traded this weekend for anything!

-Abby, student

Our host families and their homes were a huge blessing to our students where we could all relax, play games, and goof off in between sessions. On Saturday morning we listened to a pre-recorded message from Matt Cantwell that was all about waking up to God's presence in our lives. Matt shared about what it means to have intimacy with God and experience Him; he asked questions like what it means to be in the presence of God and whether or not we are resting in His presence. 

Wake was an amazing event. Pastor Jeremiah plainly yet powerfully taught about the severity and dangers of sin. It inspired me to be more aware and combative towards the sin in my own life. I deeply enjoyed the time I spent with my small group, both in laughter and serious conversation. In addition to the spiritual impact of Wake, I had lots of fun playing games, and hanging out with my small group. It was an incredible weekend, and one I won’t soon forget. 

-Silas, student 

 The rest of the day we were able to participate in all sorts of fun like relay races, escape rooms, and laser tag wars at the church. At our last session on Saturday night, Jeremiah spoke about Waking up to the Gospel. Jeremiah shared how in his own grace story when there was no way, God made a way. He laid out Christ crucified and the offer of salvation and soul satisfaction to every student. Jeremiah ended the night by inviting students to stand if the Lord was working in their life and many stood! This followed by a sweet time of confession and prayer for students. As student leaders, our prayer was to see students respond in faith to the Gospel and to see students further in their relationship with God over the course of only a few days. I believe that the Lord answered those prayers at WAKE 2020!

Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic

Want to come to the Dominican Republic with us this summer and minister alongside our partner, Love Serves Int'l? This is a great opportunity to bless this community through outreach events, building projects, prayer and evangelism and more!

If you would like more information about this trip, send an email to xpansion@summitlife.com.

WHEN: July 18-25, 2020

WHERE: Dominican Republic

Grace

Grace is the undeserved blessing of God – for both salvation and sanctification.

A key passage for this topic is Romans 8:1-17, which might seem odd, since the word grace does not appear at all in this section. But looking at Romans 8 as a description of blessings we’ve received but don’t deserve tells us much about grace.

In Romans 7, Paul admitted his powerlessness over his sinful nature. “For I do not understand my own actions,” he wrote in verse 15. “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Perhaps you can relate to such a sentiment. I certainly can.

Grace for Salvation

As Paul begins the next section of his letter, he declares, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” That is an incredible announcement. Because here’s the truth: you and I have earned and deserve condemnation. In our sin, we are traitors against the God who created us.

When God shows us grace for salvation, He is definitely giving us something we don’t deserve. And He is giving us something we could not receive in any other way. We have zero chance ofearning God’s favor. We fall so very far short of His perfect standard that convincing Him to accept us based on our performance is insanity. We simply can’t.

But, as Paul says, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) As we often declare at Summit Church, Jesus did what we can’t. He lived a perfect life that we owe to our Creator, and died a sacrificial death so that His perfection can be applied to us. When Jesus cried “It is finished” (John 19:30), He really had finished performing the perfect atonement in obedience to the Father. And when He rose in victory over sin and death, He proved that His sacrifice is effective.

Grace for Sanctification

Paul goes on to instruct believers, “if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13) The Spirit gives us power to live into our identities as children of God. This is the process of sanctification.

And here is the key distinction: people who live by works do good deeds to try to earn God’s favor. But people who live by grace do good works to thank God for the favor that He gives without our deserving. We put to death the things that kill us and live into the things of life as a natural response as we grasp that we’ve been given so much that we don’t deserve.

I think of the sinful woman in Luke 7 who came to wash Jesus’s feet with her tears and hair. The Pharisees looked with disgust on such a scene, but Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47). This woman was not more sinful than you or me (especially me). But she understood that forgiveness was a work of God’s amazing grace, and she couldn’t help but react with love in action. That is the Christian life in a nutshell.

Adopted

This great passage in Romans 8 ends with an amazing truth: “you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” To call the Creator of the universe by such an intimate term is a result of radical grace. God loves His children and takes good care of them. He listens to them and delights to hear and answer their prayers.

We have grace for salvation so we can be adopted. And we have grace for sanctification so we can grow in Christ-likeness and live like beloved heirs with Jesus. Grace is at the heart of the Christian life. Thank God we receive so much that we could never deserve. Now, let’s share our Grace Stories with a world who needs to hear them.

Building Stronger Marriages

Marriage is a covenant relationship designed by God to bless us and to bring Himself glory. Healthy, gracious and joyful marriages that are Christ-exalting take time, energy and investment to build. This February we are hosting an evening at our University Campus to do just that: invest into our relationship with our spouse so that we might experience God’s blessings and glorify Him.

Please come be with us on Friday, February 21st at 6:30pm as we take a look at how to grow closer and stronger through life’s defining moments. Joining us will be Pastor and Author Dave Harvey who will be using his new book “I Still Do” to help us navigate this evening. Cost for this event is $20 and includes a copy of the book, dessert, and childcare.

On Addiction

Addiction is a process our brains and bodies (primarily our central nervous system) undergo that literally rewires and readapts them to become dependent upon a substance or behavior. This physiological and psychological process is initially directed toward pleasure and relief, but ultimately becomes a mechanism for survival. We call addiction a disease because in many ways it functions like one, hijacking our biological systems and creating devastating consequences that can ultimately lead to death. It’s a disease in many ways like diabetes: it exists as a reality, and personal choices to either treat or not treat it will lead to reduced / zero symptoms, or worsening symptoms that can eventually cause death.

Addiction is complex because it involves so many facets of what it means to be human – what has happened and is happening to us, but also what choices we are making. Trauma is one of the most common precursors to addiction. Past abuses can create neurological pathways in our brains that tell our bodies we must have relief or we will die. The age old question is: Is addiction a disease or a choice? In Recovery we would say, spiritually speaking, it’s not one or the other, but that it involves both sin and suffering. Attempting to categorize it usually leaves a person isolated from the very thing that can heal and restore: intimacy. Addiction is a problem that affects more people than we realize because it is not limited to drugs and alcohol.

In Recovery, we see that underneath all of the addiction jargon is a spiritual problem more severe than any physical ailment. That’s because addiction doesn’t start with the brain and it’s not primarily about substances or behaviors. Therefore the answer doesn’t ultimately lie in effective medication or therapy (though they can be helpful). Rather, it starts with our broken relationship with God. It’s primarily about the nature we carry with us in our flesh, and the solution ultimately lies in a place outside of ourselves – in a Savior who can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Since addiction is a spiritual issue, we find that almost anyone can benefit from the process of Christ-centered Recovery.

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 “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

            Romans 6:5-14

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Recovery is about life and death: dying to our sin and being made alive to Christ. Freedom comes when our desires are ruled by Christ, when our wounds are healed by the resurrection power of His life in us, and when we are made new to live as instruments for righteousness. When Christ reigns over our lives we can experience a freedom that the world cannot offer.

If you are longing for freedom and want to discover what it means to be made new in Christ, come to Recovery on Thursday nights at our Gateway or University Campuses. We meet from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Here you will find a place where victory in Christ is possible! Childcare is provided.

www.RecoveryAtSummit.com

Christmas Outreach Update

As we say often at Summit, we want to be a church that, if we ceased to exist, our community would miss us. Not for the name and glory of Summit, but for the glory of God and the work of His Kingdom. So to bless our Circles of Accountability (COA = a designated geographical area around all of our campuses that we have determined to take ownership of) this Christmas season, we partnered with our local schools to help families in need of Christmas gifts. We do this to remember and celebrate that we’ve been given the ultimate gift, adoption through Jesus.

All three of our campuses participated, joining with 11 different schools to bless 64 families (over 160 kids!).

To begin, weekend service attendees at each campus took ornaments with descriptions of what was needed on them, purchased the gifts and gift cards, and brought them back. Then the gifts were passed on to the families who needed them, through Deacons at the Gateway and Naples campuses, and at a Comeback event at the University campus.

Through this simple act of giving, we were able to show our community the love and provision of God. And the goal was not to simply meet physical needs. We also want to build relationships, because a Circle of Accountability is about making disciples and sharing the incredible life that Jesus gives.

Here are a few stories of the families that were affected:

At the comeback event at the University campus, a single mom came to participate and mentioned to the staff that she did not have a Christmas tree, and that her kids had never had a tree. Since there were several trees in the church for decoration, volunteers took one right down off the stage and put in in the family’s truck. This family is excited to finally enjoy this Christmas tradition.

Two Deacons from our Gateway Campus were able to visit a single mom and her children at their home to bless them with gifts. The following Sunday, the whole family attended our weekend service together and expressed interest in returning for Christmas Eve.

Another couple told our staff their story. They recently retired and were getting ready to do some traveling, when they felt God calling them to become foster parents. They’ve since taken in two sibling pairs, and went from having no children in their home to caring for four! They’re working with us and the parents of their foster children to give them a wonderful Christmas.

A Deaconess from the Naples campus met with a mother of four who has suffered many miscarriages. The Deaconess was able to pray with this mom, share her own story of loss, and give the mom a Bible and devotional. These sisters in Christ were able to support each other and see God working in their stories of heartache.

One family came to the Comeback event in to pick up gifts for four kids, only to find out that due to a mix-up, girl gifts had been bought for one of the sons. Fortunately, volunteers had some gift cards on hand to give to that family. Just after, a mom came in to pick up gifts for her daughter. She informed the volunteers that these would be the only gifts that her daughter would receive, and that she didn’t have many clothes. The gifts that had been accidentally bought for the other family were just the right size for this girl, and her mom was able to leave with several new outfits. What looked like a mistake was actually God at work to provide!

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There are so many other ways that God is moving. Some we know, others we don’t. But we trust this glimpse of His activity will encourage us and increase our thankfulness for what God has done through our partnerships to bring Gospel joy to families in our Circles of Accountability this Christmas. God has blessed us so we can be a blessing to others. Thank God for this wonderful season and the great gift we have received through Jesus.

"Thank you" from our College Ministry

Dear Summit Family,

 I want to take this opportunity before the end of 2019 to say, “Thank you.” God has used you to play an important role in making and maturing disciples at FGCU. I know from personal experience the importance of a loving church family for the faith of a college student. When I was a student at FGCU, God was good to send men and women from this church into my life. You cared well for me, showering me with love, encouragement, and wisdom. Being able to hear your words and observe your lives gave me necessary perspective on the important things in life and taught me what faithfulness to Christ truly looks like in practice.

 When I became the College Minister here, a goal of mine was to see those types of relationships deepen and become more prevalent. I’m proud to say that today those relationships are thriving more than ever at Summit Church. Whether it’s college students and young families worshiping side by side on a Sunday morning or older men and women discipling college students over coffee throughout the week, it’s clear that God is doing a uniquely beautiful work at Summit that crosses generational boundaries. And for that, I’m filled with gratitude. I’m thankful to God for what he is doing, and I’m thankful to God for YOU.

 This year, I had the privilege of spending Sunday mornings with all three congregations. At each location, I was struck by the interest in what God was doing at FGCU. Whether I was in Naples, Gateway, or Estero, I spoke with men and women of all ages who told me they were praying for the students at the university. Some of you even shared pieces of your story with me. I heard from couples who were broken over wayward college-aged children, individuals who were excited about the work at FGCU because they had become Christians in school, and even some who had trusted Christ as a direct result of IGNITE’s ministry at FGCU before my time. Many of you jumped at the opportunity to serve IGNITE, and have done so through a variety of ways—discipleship, providing hot meals for students away from home, inviting students to spend the holidays with your family, and prayer.

 So thank you.  Thank you for praying for more students to come to faith at FGCU. He answered your prayers. Thank you for loving and encouraging our students by your words and your actions. It’s impossible to measure the impact you are making in their lives. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. They provide both a sobering and hopeful perspective to the job God has called me to. And thank you for being the type of church that finds joy in making sure college students are well cared for and at home in our congregation. God is using you to strengthen his church. 

Love,

Stephen C. Johnson

College Ministry Director

Christmas Eve Service Times

This year we’re holding two Christmas Eve services at each of our campuses this year, as we focus on the promise of a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Join us on December 24th at 4pm or 5:45pm at any of our campuses.

These services offer a great opportunity to invite friends, co-workers and neighbors who might not otherwise be open to attending church. So be sure to prayerfully extend those invites and ask God to move in the hearts of people. We’ve designed some cards for you to take with you to use for those purposes so be sure to grab some from your campus.

Childcare is only offered at the 4pm service. Naples and Gateway are offering pre-kindergarten childcare only. University is offering pre-k up through 5th grade.

Pre-Marriage Ministry

Summit Church has established a new Biblically based pre-marriage class and counseling ministry that is designed to provide essential training and counseling for engaged couples planning to get married by a Summit pastor within the next 5 – 12 months and desiring a Summit pastor to officiate their wedding ceremony. In fact, successful completion of this training and counseling is necessary to have a Summit pastor perform the wedding.

The class is 6 sessions, each 2 hours long and will be offered at the University Campus in the Common Area of the 2nd Floor on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 pm starting February 5th meeting weekly and ending on March 11th. A trained Marriage Mentor couple will be assigned to each engaged couple to spend a minimum of two 1:1 counseling sessions with them at a mutually convenient time and place.

Registration is $200 and includes a Prepare-Enrich Assessment Report, the class curriculum and 2 books for each person, Tying the Knot by Rob Green and The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller.

Advent Family Worship Guide

This is the Advent season and we are greatly anticipating what God wants to do in and through us as we focus our eyes on the most precious gift, our Savior!

To help us make the most of this season, we've created a simple Family Worship Guide for parents and children, or really anyone, to use as a tool to remind us that God Himself came to dwell with us and rescue us.

Year End Review Guide

We don’t ever want to take for granted the ways God has demonstrated His faithfulness and dispensed His grace on us as a church. As individuals and as a church we have much to rejoice over.

Would you read through our Year End Guide, and then help us finish 2019 strong as we continue to press forward in the mission of making disciples in 2020?

First Weekend at our new facility in Naples

We’re rejoicing in God’s provision of a new facility for our Naples congregation! These are the words we prayed during our first service held there. Join us in praying them.

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Lord, we recognize that you do not dwell in houses made by hands. We declare that heaven is your throne, and the earth is your footstool. We acknowledge the reality that you cannot be contained in the heaven of heavens, much less in a building made by man. 

We are thankful that you have made us into a holy temple; your very own dwelling place by the Spirit. Yet you command us––your people––to gather in worship, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts, so that the word of Christ may dwell richly in us. 

Following the examples of saints throughout the ages, we gather this morning to dedicate this building, that it may be a place for worship, prayer, and discipleship. In this place may your Word be proclaimed, your sacraments administered, and your church encouraged, equipped, and sent out to make disciples who represent the gospel to every man, woman, and child, to the glory of your great name. 

 As we dedicate this building to you, we make the following commitments before your holy presence…

1.) Lord, we commit to being God-Glorifying so that we and others may know you, worship you, and be led by you.

Congregation: Not to us, O LORD, but to your name be the glory. 

2.) Lord, we commit to being Gospel-Centered so that we and others may embrace the gospel, apply the gospel, and proclaim the gospel.

Congregation: Not to us, O LORD, but to your name be the glory.

3.) Lord, we commit to being Missionally-Driven, embracing the demands of your mission and living as missional ambassadors. 

Congregation: Not to us, O LORD, but to your name be the glory.

Lord, we commit to being Disciple-Making in order to see people trust Christ, obey Christ and imitate Christ. 

Congregation: Not to us, O LORD, but to your name be the glory as we represent the gospel to every man, woman, and child. Amen!

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Our new facility is located at:

15220 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, FL 34110

Origins of the Every Child Initiative

By Vicky Stinziano

Our Story of Orphan Care

The turning point in our story of fostering and adopting came in 2005/2006. We were struggling to have a second child, and it was a difficult season. As we grew tired in our waiting, discussions about adoption would come up. Jamin was open-minded, but I was not. For me, adoption had always been a hard ‘no’, for reasons that don’t make much sense to me now.

It wasn’t until I began to be resigned that a second biological child might not be what the Lord had for us that my heart began to soften to other possibilities. My adamant refusal slowly dissolved into something of a ‘maybe’. We had no real direction and no specific calling, but we had started to contemplate and envision what it might look like to adopt a child.

The Lord did give us a second biological daughter, and then a third. All the while, He was opening our eyes to the desperate needs of the fatherless and transforming our reservations into an eager desire to adopt. We spent the next few years as fans of adoption, rooting for those who would get the opportunity to walk it out, growing in our appreciation for the profound spiritual significance of adoption, waiting for a word of instruction, and wondering if it would ever be for us.

Then, in November of 2010, during a church service where Foster Care was discussed, Jamin and I each separately felt the Lord say to engage there and to start right away. Foster Care had not been on our radar. We didn’t know if adoption would ever be in our future, but we knew that with over 500 kids in the Foster Care system at that time, we could be immediately loving and serving children in our own community. We started classes a few weeks later, and within a couple of months, we were holding our first foster daughter.

…He was opening our eyes to the desperate needs of the fatherless and transforming our reservations into an eager desire…

Every Child

As our eyes were being opened to the needs of the vulnerable, both globally and locally, we began noticing a much broader movement within the Church. We saw that not only was the Lord stirring in our own hearts, but people everywhere seemed to be awakening to the great need to attend to the orphan and a passion to participate in the work. Many at Summit were discerning a call to act on behalf of vulnerable children. God was moving in the hearts of His people to take up the cause of “the least of these.”

We sensed a need to press into what the Lord was clearly initiating in our church. We began meeting and having conversations about what it could look like to work together, not only to support one another, but also to help envision, equip, and empower others.

What initially felt more like a collective sharpened into an initiative, and it wasn’t long before the Lord gave us clarity of mission and vision that involved various “on-ramps” of engagement and care. The hope was to help connect people with the needs, with the resources, with each other, and most importantly, with the Lord. It was named The Every Child Initiative as a focused work from our church mission statement: Every Man, Woman, and Child.

Over the years, we’ve gained further clarity on how to connect needs with resources to meet them, and we’ve seen that there is a way for every single person to contribute and engage. We’ve added new ministry partners and we’ve watched the Lord cultivate a community of wrap-around care for families who have brought children into their home. A decade down the road, Summit is now steeped in a culture of awareness and care. It’s a beautiful picture of biblical community and hospitality.

What grace and goodness the Lord has lavished upon this congregation as Summit has embraced God’s heart for the vulnerable. We’ve seen the people of Summit being transformed as God’s people engage in an impossible task and watch the Lord do what only He can do.

“What grace and goodness the Lord has lavished upon this congregation as Summit has embraced God’s heart for the vulnerable. ”

And as for our family, our story… it’s unfinished. We now have three biological daughters, one adopted daughter, and two kids in permanent guardianship. 

 These past 11 years have radically changed us in more ways than we will probably ever know. It has been far more wonderful and difficult than we could have possibly anticipated when we made that first phone call to sign up to foster.   I find myself deeply thankful for each part of this journey... the heartache of wanting a child, the pain of saying goodbye to children we thought would be ours forever, the joy of having kids come to know the goodness of God’s love for them, the access and relationships that we’ve gained within our community, the beauty of what adoption has ended up looking like for us, the depth that each detail of fostering and adopting revealed about truth of our own grace stories, the overwhelming blessing of trial and transformation, and the power of the Lord’s presence through all of it.

 And really, that is our hope for even more people at Summit. That’s the vision for the future of The Every Child Initiative: that more might get to experience all that the Lord has for us when we are living out His command to care; that more of us would press in to the tragedy of the vulnerable and see the beauty Jesus creates from ashes.

Orphan Sunday

This weekend, at our Summit services, we will recognize Orphan Sunday. We will join with churches all around the world to seek the heart of God the Father and recognize the plight of the vulnerable child. We will take time to see how the Lord might be drawing us in.

Would you prepare your heart to ask for direction and to receive an answer? Would you consider what higher things He might have for you? Would you see how He might be inviting you to care for the least of these?

Let us not miss out on the blessings that He has for us as a people, and the experience of grace and power that we can only know when we lay our our lives down and embrace what it is to uphold the cause of the fatherless.

“Let us not miss out on the blessings that He has for us as a people...”

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)

To read more about the Every Child Initiative, visit our website at www.everychildswfl.com. 

The Persecuted Church

On November 3, we at Summit, along with churches around the world will observe an International Day of Prayer for persecuted Christians. Open Doors’ current research estimates that there are more than 245 million persecuted Christians. These are people that are harassed or attacked because they identify themselves as being Christian. 

To break it down a little more, this means that 1 in 9 believers in the world today are being persecuted.

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In Indonesia, three churches in East Java were attacked by suicide bombers on May 13, 2018, killing 11 Christians and wounding many more. The shocking nature of this event is magnified by the fact that it was orchestrated by one whole family, including girls that were 9 and 12 years old.

In India, a week after Pastor Gideon Periyaswamy complained to local police about opposition from radical Hindus, he was found hanged from the thatched roof of his house on January 20, 2018.

One of China’s largest house churches in Chengdu was raided by Chinese police 15 days before Christmas 2018. Lasting for days, the raid resulted in the arrests and detainments of more than 100 Christians including Pastor Wang Yi who is one of China’s most well-known pastors.

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These are three examples from the most populous countries in the world. There are much more devastating reports to be found on the Open Doors USA website. They also have a prayer app, videos, and a World Watch List of the top 50 persecuted Countries with very specific information.

But what can we do? Pray.

1.   Pray that whatever their circumstances, God will give our brothers and sisters the right words to say to their persecutors.

2.   Pray that persecuted Christians will understand and find peace in the sufficiency of God’s grace and His presence, even in their weaknesses.

3.   Pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ would receive from the Lord everything they need; strength to endure, faith to believe, protection from harm, food to eat.

4.   Pray their witness would actually transform those who seek to harm them.

Planning on traveling internationally? Check out the World Watch List to see if the country you are visiting is on it. You’ll likely be surprised at the countries listed. Begin to pray for believers there.

 Our desire is to begin to pray regularly, and not just this Sunday, for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Now as we hear global news, let that be a prompt to pray specifically for those believers that are suffering for their faith.

“A biblical and globally astute prayer for believers in persecution would ask that Jesus would be made known, that believers would remain obedient through their suffering, and that we identify with believers in persecution by sharing our faith in whatever environment we find ourselves.” Nik Ripken

Gospel Influence

Each year we take time as a church to purchase food and groceries for those in need in our community. This opportunity allows us to share the love of Christ in a tangible way!

This year we were able to partner with:

CCMI (Community Cooperative) in Downtown Fort Myers.

Into the Jordan, a Christ-centered counseling and wellness program for trafficked and exploited women.

Verity Pregnancy and Medical Resource Center in Fort Myers.

Interfaith Caregivers in San Carlos Park.

PRC (Pregnancy Resource Center of Naples)

Helps Outreach in Naples.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase and donate more than $40,000 of groceries to feed hungry families in our community. Join us in praying that God would take this gift and use it to reveal the greatest gift ever given, Jesus Christ.

“It was such a pleasure working with you this past Sunday for your Publix day!

I added up all the weights on Monday, and it was a total of 3,790lbs!! Wow! I wish you could have seen some of our client’s faces when they came in to shop Monday. They felt so blessed. Our inventory has been pretty low in the pantry.

Thank you again for coordinating this with me. I had a blast. You all were a real joy to be around.”

— Rebecca, Community Cooperative

Revive Us - Recap and Devotional

We are so thankful to God for the gift of “Revive Us” and the four nights of worship, prayer, testimony and Word. If you made it to any (or all) of the nights, we pray you were truly blessed. God was so gracious to allow His Spirit to move amongst us in a powerful way!  The stories that we have already heard are nothing short of amazing and we are confident that we will continue to hear more stories in the coming weeks.  In fact, if the Lord did something significant in you during Revive Us we would love to hear from you. Please consider going here and sharing that story so that others can be encouraged by the power and grace of God.

We want to remind you that the time we just experienced together was NOT merely an event, but a catalyst for deeper spiritual renewal that we pray overflows into a renewed commitment to pursue the Lord as our greatest treasure and live more fully into His mission. 

As we move forward with full hearts and even greater expectations of what the Lord has for each of us, we wanted to encourage you with a couple of things that we hope will foster an ever-growing dependence upon God and a deeper, joy-fueling intimacy with Him. Here are some suggestions:

1. Pray that God would grow your hunger and longing for His Word. If you don’t already have a reading plan consider using Summit’s monthly reading plan. (Jeremiah 15:16) In conjunction with that plan, we’ve also prepared a week long devotional on Joy that you can access here.

2.  Spend time in prayer daily. Consider using the time in your car and at other times throughout your day to commune with your Heavenly Father through prayer. (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

3. Strive to deal ruthlessly with sin, asking God for His grace to repent from anything that does not glorify Him. (Psalm 32:5, Isaiah 55:6-7)

4.  Consider who you might invite into this journey with you-- a spouse, friend, co-worker.  Be committed to community. We were not created or called to live in isolation. (Hebrews 10:24-25, Ecc. 4:9-12)

5.  Ask God to give you His heart for the lost around you. Ask the Lord for continual opportunities to boldly share the Gospel.  (Col. 4:2-6)

6.  Walk in ever-growing thankfulness.  May your gratitude fuel your worship of our great God. (1 Thess 5:18, Psalm 107:1)

7. Take time to actually write out what God did in your life this past week. Make space to ponder and consider the work of the Lord. Consider sharing that with someone. (Psalm 105:5)

We are so grateful for you and thank God that you are a part of this Summit family.  May you continue to experience the fullness of truth that, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” - Zephaniah 3:17