interdependent leadership.
At Summit Church we practice what is referred to as an “Interdependent Leadership” model. Simply defined, God gives the gift of leadership to the Church and calls a plurality of elders with complimentary abilities and functions to serve Him collectively to equip God’s people to carry out His purposes in the world (Ephesians 4:11-12). The primary metaphor to describe the New Testament Church is the “body” comprised of individual members serving as differing parts (I Corinthians 12:8-27) with Jesus Christ as the only appointed “Head” of His “body”.
Furthermore we see the model of leadership established in the very nature of our Triune God; (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) three distinct persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) with three distinct roles, acting in complete interdependence with one another. Interdependent Leadership is not only biblically grounded in God’s design for His body, and modeled by His very nature, but it also emphasizes the “heart” that God desires for His leadership (Mathew 20:20-28).
Summit is led by our Elder team, each having a variety of complimentary functions and gifts, leading together under the authority and headship of Jesus Christ. No one man has more authority than another, but instead, each mutually submits to and empowers the others to lead where they are most gifted. This provides a high level of accountability, cultivates humility and trust, and gives confidence to the body to know that the Elders must collectively be convinced of God’s will for the church before acting.
We realize our structure of not having one primary leader is not normative. However we believe that Interdependent Leadership, collectively leading out God’s mission for His Church, can more completely mobilize and disciple the body to carry out its destiny in the world.
meet our staff.
OUR DIRECTING ELDERS
Dr. Jamin Stinziano
jamin.stinziano{at}summitlife.com
Joe O'Neal
joe.oneal{at}summitlife.com
Orlando Cabrera
orlando.cabrera{at}summitlife.com
Kyle Balcerzak
kyle.balcerzak{at}summitlife.com
Jeremiah Taylor
jeremiah.taylor{at}summitlife.com
Nate Johnson
nate.johnson{at}summitlife.com
John DeAngelis
john.deangelis{at}summitlife.com
university congregation staff
Orlando Cabrera
Campus Pastor
orlando.cabrera{at}summitlife.com
Kyle Balcerzak
Executive Pastor of Operations
kyle.balcerzak{at}summitlife.com
Jesse Stewart
College Ministry Pastor
jesse.stewart{at}summitlife.com
Stephen Johnson
Community Pastor stephen.johnson{at}summitlife.com
Christine Dore-Smith
Elementary & Middle School Director
christine.dore-smith{at}summitlife.com
Josh Scott
Summit Students HS Director
Worship Assistant
josh.scott{at}summitlife.com
Brandon Swanner
Worship Pastor
brandon.swanner{at}summitlife.com
Abbie Vetter
Special Needs & Childcare Coordinator
abbie.vetter{at}summitlife.com
Megan Overmyer
Recovery Ministry Coordinator
megan.overmyer{at}summitlife.com
Caitlin Fruit
Elementary & Middle School Coordinator
caitlin.fruit{at}summitlife.com
Abbey Valiquette
Membership & Missions Coordinator
abbey.valiquette{at}summitlife.com
Al Minott
Pastor of Care
al.minott{at}summitlife.com
Emily Lyons
College Ministry Coordinator
emily.lyons{at}summitlife.com
Steven Rivera Middle School Coordinator & Ignite Resident
steven.rivera{at}summitlife.com
Mark Siverling
Recovery Ministry Pastor
mark.siverling{at}summitlife.com
Cayla Schuetz
Women’s Ministry Director Assimilation Coordinator
cayla.schuetz{at}summitlife.com
Joann Medinilla
Director of Early Childhood
joann.medinilla{at}summitlife.com
naples CONGREGATION staff
Jeremiah Taylor
Campus Pastor
jeremiah.taylor{at}summitlife.com
Kaley Vahlkamp
Summit Kids & Students Coordinator
kaley.vahlkamp{at}summitlife.com
Craig Sturm
Community & Care Pastor
craig.sturm{at}summitlife.com
Blaize Smith
Family Ministries Director
blaize.smith{at}summitlife.com
Michael Girado
Worship Pastor
michael.girado{at}summitlife.com
Wendy Caudill
Ministry Coordinator
wendy.caudill{at}summitlife.com
gateway CONGREGATION staff
Joe O'Neal
Campus Pastor
joe.oneal{at}summitlife.com
Brooke Keslar
Summit Kids Coordinator
brooke.keslar{at}summitlife.com
Joel Vint
Community & Care Pastor
joel.vint{at}summitlife.com
JR Lackner
Gateway Facilities Director
Jr.Lackner{at}summitlife.com
Bethany McCleaf
Membership Coordinator
bethany.mccleaf{at}summitlife.com
Mathis Turley
Worship Leader
mathis.turley{at}summitlife.com
central ministries staff
Vicky Stinziano
Every Child Initiative Director
vicky.stinziano{at}summitlife.com
Mark Vowels
Counseling Center Director
mark.vowels{at}summitlife.com
Jordan Cox
AVL & IT Director
jordan.cox{at}summitlife.com
Kirt Glassford
Facilities Director
kirt.glassford{at}summitlife.com
Joy Wood
Operations Coordinator
joy.wood{at}summitlife.com
Charlie Mitchell
Pastor in Residence
Stephanie Neis
Executive Assistant & Office Manager
stephanie.neis{at}summitlife.com
Dan Trippie
Scholar in Residence
Melissa Durity
Biblical Counseling Coordinator
melissa.durity{at}summitlife.com
Justin Valiquette
Pastor of Missions, Church Planting & Pastoral Residencies
justin.valiquette{at}summitlife.com
Denise Covert
Database & Operations Assistant
denise.covert{at}summitlife.com
Christy Crumpton
Communications Director
christy.crumpton{at}summitlife.com
Chris Minott
Biblical Counseling Director
chris.minott{at}summitlife.com
Zac Brunson
Director of Mobilization
zac.brunson{at}summitlife.com
Conrad Couden
Facilities Assistant
conrad.couden{at}summitlife.com