Summit Ministries
Summary
Summit Ministries (formal name American Christian College, Inc.) strives to teach, instruct and train young people from throughout the US about Christian values, America's Christian heritage and the Christian worldview, and to support and assist organizations which are organized and operated for similar purposes. Summit Ministries exists to train a generation of leaders who understand the times, know what it means to think biblically in every area of life, and are able to become leaders for Christ in their schools, communities, churches, families and country. Christian leadership training center helps young people understand how their faith relates to their everyday lives. Through various extensions, Summit Ministries challenges Christians to develop a biblical worldview, and to serve Christ and others by speaking, and living, the truth. Summit Ministries was founded in 1962. This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Contact Information: [ Back to top ]
| Mailing Address: | PO Box 207
Manitou Springs, CO
80829-0207 |
| Website: | www.summit.org |
| Phone: | (719) 685-9103 |
| Email: | You need to enable javascript to see the email |
Organization Details [ Back to top ]
EIN: 730792333
| CEO/President: |
Dr. David Noebel |
Tax Deductible: |
Yes |
| Chairman: |
Jeff Myers |
Fiscal Year End: |
March 31 |
| Board Size: |
6 |
Financial info from: |
990 |
| Founder: |
|
Member of ECFA: |
Yes |
| Year Founded: |
1962 |
Member of ECFA since: |
1988 |
Summit Ministries (formal name American Christian College, Inc.) strives to teach, instruct and train young people from throughout the US about Christian values, America's Christian heritage and the Christian worldview, and to support and assist organizations which are organized and operated for similar purposes. Summit Ministries exists to train a generation of leaders who understand the times, know what it means to think biblically in every area of life, and are able to become leaders for Christ in their schools, communities, churches, families and country. Christian leadership training center helps young people understand how their faith relates to their everyday lives. Through various extensions, Summit Ministries challenges Christians to develop a biblical worldview, and to serve Christ and others by speaking, and living, the truth. Summit Ministries was founded in 1962.
This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. It is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Summit Ministries uses the following to express its mission:
...equipping servant leaders in worldview analysis, training champions of the Christian faith, and inspiring them to love God with their hearts and minds.
Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]
- Updated Lightbearers Middle School Curriculum.
- Printed first grade of Building on the Rock Grade School Curriculum. Continuing in the development of grades 2-6.
- Went online with a completely new summit.org. Rebuilt from the ground up, summit.org now offers the user a much cleaner interface to navigate as well as many new tools and resources to better aid them in the development of a Christian worldview.
- Summit Alumni Association - This website is a tool for past Summit students to get involved on their college campuses and in their communities. Through this site Summit alumni can contact other Summit students and network with them. It is our hope that together they can make an impact for Christ.
- Just a Thought Discussion Board - Provides a forum of discussion between the Summit staff and Summit students. Topics for discussion include relevant worldview, apologetic, and cultural issues.
- Re-structured the summer program to bring all non-Colorado based programs under the umbrella of the Manitou Springs-based Ministry. This includes the two programs at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee and a new program at Cedarville University in Ohio.
- Finished editing and made available the Summit Lecture Series. This series includes 121 lectures given at the Summit and at other events Summit Ministries has been asked to be involved. The series comes in mp3, DVD and Audio CD formats.
- Launched "Truth & Consequences," a monthly email worldview resource.
- Countering Culture was co-published with Broadman and Holman. This is a thirteen-week study of worldviews for youth, adults, college-age students and homeschoolers.
- Christians in New Zealand started a worldview program modeled after Summit's Summer Conference. They also used many Summit speakers including Dr. Noebel.
- Summit completed its 43rd summer of training high school and college students in comparative worldview and apologetics. Over 1,200 students came through the program in Manitou Springs, CO. In addition Summit programs continue in TN, OH and internationally in South Africa.
Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]
As a statement of faith, Summit Agrees with and holds to The Apostle’s Creed:
[We] believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
[We] believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
[We] believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. AMEN.
Dr. David Noebel founded the Summit in 1962 to help ground Christians in their faith, thereby enabling them to face the challenges whirling about on college campuses. From 1962 until 1988, what was a small series of camp-style conferences, hosting an average of 350 students each year, grew in 1989 to a program that hosts eight two-week conferences every summer, with over 1300 students graduating each year. In 1991, the curriculum department of Summit launched a year-long program for Christian high school seniors with the same basic goals – to teach Christians how to analyze competing worldviews and to defend their faith. Each year 3,500 high school seniors graduate from this program. Currently, Summit’s conferences have expanded to offer programs to adults, parents, pastors, and educators. Their curriculum department has grown as well and now offers curriculum materials for individuals, churches, Sunday schools, home schools, Christian middle schools, and soon Christian elementary schools.
This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.
Research Analysis
Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]
| Transparency Grade of : A |
| Criteria category | Grade | Other Comments |
| Timeliness: | 100 | 10/31/2005 4:20:52 PM: Organization made financial information available less than 5 ½ months after their fiscal year end. |
| Financial Information: | 100 | 10/31/2005 4:21:00 PM: Organization provided all financial information requested. Information was clear and thorough. |
| Foundational Clarity: | 100 | 3/30/2006 12:23:42 PM: Descriptive information was abundant and thorough. |
| Level of Cooperation: | 100 | 4/19/2007 4:38:06 PM: Answers to questions were thorough. |
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MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]
| Ranking Category | Rating | Overall Rank | Christian Growth Sector |
|---|
| Overall Efficiency Rating |  | 318 of 353 | 35 of 43 |
| Fund Acquisition Decision |  | 208 of 353 | 21 of 43 |
| Resource Allocation Decision | | 273 of 353 | 26 of 43 |
| Asset Utilization Decision | | 340 of 353 | 41 of 43 |
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MinistryWatch.com's Take
January 2003
Andy Presler,Research Analyst
Summit Ministries trains people to become leaders with a Christian worldview. The ministry utilizes a greater portion of its financial resources to support administrative activities than other ministries, but they demonstrate superior transparency with regard to finances.
Summit Ministries (SM) exists to help parents prepare their teenage children to maintain and defend the Christian worldview in the midst of anti-Christian schools, universities, and society in general. Summit Ministries is headquartered in Manitou Springs, CO, operating facilities there and ministering in Tennessee, Texas, and abroad.
The founder and current president of Summit Ministries is David Noebel. Noebel was educated at Hope College (B.A.), the University of Tulsa (M.A.), and the University of Wisconsin (Ph.D. candidate). Rev. Noebel was ordained to ministry in 1961. He has served as a pastor, and has directed the Summit Youth Ministries since 1964. Rev. Noebel has authored numerous books and articles, most notably, Understanding the Times: A Student Guide to the Christian, Marxist, and Humanist Worldviews.
The main program activity of Summit Ministries is a series of two-week youth conferences staged every summer. These conferences are designed for high school students preparing to enter college. The conferences feature seminars in philosophy, sociology, ethics, and politics, all from a Christian perspective. The major thesis of these seminars is that Christ is supreme in all areas of life. From this thesis it follows that believers should understand and be able to share with others a full-fledged worldview grounded in the truth of Christian Revelation. The three-fold purpose of the conferences is to (1) train servant-leaders in worldview analysis, (2) equip them to champion the Christian faith, and (3) inspire them to love God with all their hearts and minds.
These purposes are implemented by Summit Ministries in other programs as well including adult conferences (one week a year), “Worldview Weekends” (where a Summit representative comes to a local church to give a presentation), and the publication of a monthly journal. SM also offers a variety of Christian publications for sale at their web site.
Respected scholars from the nation’s top seminaries and universities routinely participate in Summit conferences, establishing Summit Ministries as a first-rate resource for training in apologetics (the defense of the Faith), worldview, and social issues. These conferences are not restricted, however, to the classroom. Abundant opportunity is provided for recreation, making a Summit conference a well-rounded experience.
Summit Ministries received an overall financial efficiency rating of 2 stars, out of a possible 5 stars, from MinistryWatch.com and ranked 38 out of 40 in the Christian Growth sector. The lower rating and ranking is primarily a result of Summit Ministries utilizing a greater portion of its financial resources to support its administrative activities than other ministries.
There were a few significant financial items to note. The organization spends significantly less of its total income on fundraising, but spends more on administrative efforts than the average organization. Its fundraising efforts are low, but its need for fundraising is also low. The ministry generates most of its income from the fees it charges to participate in its programs (its “other revenue” sources). In the year 2001, the ministry experienced a deficit, due to a combination of revenue decreasing on all fronts by 31% (including a loss on investments) and slightly higher expenses. In addition, SM owns a hotel (used for its students) and the housing adjacent to it in a residential area to insulate itself from other residents in the area. This significant investment in property contributes to a lower financial efficiency rating. The organization’s operations are carried out in a financially open and transparent manner as indicated in Summit Ministries receiving the highest possible Transparency Grade, “A”, from MinistryWatch.com.
Summit Ministries is a champion of the Christian worldview and its ability to train Christian leaders. MinistryWatch.com is able to conclude that the ministry requires a greater investment in administration to carry out its mission, but exhibits a great deal of openness as well.
Ministry Statement or Response [ Back to top ]
March 26, 2007
MinistryWatch.com
2514 Plantation Center Drive
Matthews, NC 28105
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I would appreciate it if you would post these comments on your website relating to Summit Ministries. Overall, I feel you have given a fair and balanced summary of our ministry. However, your efficiency rating of 2 stars bothers me a great deal. I notice that you say, “this significant investment in property contributes to a lower financial efficiency rating.” Let me speak specifically to this issue.
Our ministry began with a single hotel in a residential neighborhood in mid-Manitou Springs, Colorado. When our classes were small (40 students per session) this was not a major problem. However, after Dr. James Dobson featured us on his radio broadcasts and our student body grew to 180 students per session, the neighborhood became concerned over the noise from the students, etc. Therefore, it was imperative that we purchase property around the hotel if we planned to stay in Manitou Springs. We presently own 10 houses and 23 cabins on about 5 acres of land insulating the hotel from the neighborhood. Since these acquisitions we have had no problems with the neighbors and in fact when the neighbors wish to sell their property they all contact us first.
Our houses and cabins are used for faculty, staff and guests primarily and we do not charge faculty and guests for these facilities. We do charge staff minimal rent for any houses or cabins used hoping to at least pay for utilities, etc. We have offered many pastors, Christian professors, Christian leaders and missionaries free vacations in the Rocky Mountains and our supporters enjoy being close to the students attending our two-week programs.
With this explanation I believe we should be closer to a 5 star rating than a 1 star rating with your organization.
Sincerely in Christ,
David A. Noebel
Financial Information:
| Balance Sheet |
| Assets | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Cash | $161,238 | $2,594,098 | $3,024,142 | $2,850,096 | $3,275,247 |
| Receivables, Inventories & Prepaids | $510,046 | $516,819 | $354,379 | $290,172 | $199,281 |
| Short-Term Investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Current Assets | $671,284 | $3,110,917 | $3,378,521 | $3,140,268 | $3,474,528 |
| Long-Term Investments | $3,308,937 | $4,098,614 | $3,901,481 | $3,813,071 | $3,725,711 |
| Fixed Assets | $3,154,563 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other Long-Term Assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Long-Term Assets | $6,463,500 | $4,098,614 | $3,901,481 | $3,813,071 | $3,725,711 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $7,134,784 | $7,209,531 | $7,280,002 | $6,953,339 | $7,200,239 |
| Liabilities | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Payables & Accrued Expenses | $155,013 | $83,084 | $80,675 | $118,686 | $72,071 |
| Other Current Liabilities | $42,362 | $69,830 | $63,435 | $51,950 | $46,221 |
| Total Current Liabilities | $197,375 | $152,914 | $144,110 | $170,636 | $118,292 |
| Debt | $7,863 | $35,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 | $122,021 |
| Other Long-Term Liabilities | $191,355 | $191,855 | $197,625 | $203,019 | $228,978 |
| Total Long-Term Liabilities | $199,218 | $226,855 | $207,625 | $223,019 | $350,999 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | $396,593 | $379,769 | $351,735 | $393,655 | $469,291 |
| Assets | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Unrestricted | $5,971,509 | $5,950,502 | $6,036,671 | $5,790,111 | $5,978,765 |
| Temporarily Restricted | $87,582 | $52,958 | $122,181 | $69,058 | $69,173 |
| Permanently Restricted | $838,039 | $826,302 | $769,415 | $700,515 | $682,010 |
| NET ASSETS | $6,897,130 | $6,829,762 | $6,928,267 | $6,559,684 | $6,729,948 |
| Revenue and Expenses |
| Revenue | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Total Contributions | $1,527,110 | $1,440,987 | $1,064,602 | $966,265 | $1,254,778 |
| Program Service Revenue | $1,760,159 | $1,744,605 | $1,443,159 | $1,208,745 | $876,884 |
| Membership Dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment Income | ($28,902) | ($58,477) | ($55,970) | ($67,712) | ($377,326) |
| Other Revenue | $460,449 | $457,867 | $396,452 | $364,761 | $296,852 |
| Total Other Revenue | $2,191,706 | $2,143,995 | $1,783,641 | $1,505,794 | $796,410 |
| TOTAL REVENUE | $3,718,816 | $3,584,982 | $2,848,243 | $2,472,059 | $2,051,188 |
| Expenses | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Program Services | $2,976,316 | $2,523,349 | $2,090,268 | $1,737,996 | $1,385,354 |
| Management & General | $805,898 | $981,645 | $885,766 | $792,211 | $778,839 |
| Fundraising | $124,227 | $25,530 | $27,717 | $23,111 | $23,162 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | $3,906,441 | $3,530,524 | $3,003,751 | $2,553,318 | $2,187,355 |
| Change in Net Assets | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| SURPLUS (DEFICIT) | ($187,625) | $54,458 | ($155,508) | ($81,259) | ($136,167) |
| Other Changes in Net Assets | $254,993 | ($152,963) | $524,091 | ($90,005) | $500,588 |
| TOTAL CHANGE IN NET ASSETS | $67,368 | ($98,505) | $368,583 | ($171,264) | $364,421 |
Functional Expenses [ Back to top ]
| Funding Ratios | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Grants & Allocations | $42,885 | $84,651 | $29,191 | $35,747 | $47,571 |
| Specific Assistance to Individuals | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Benefits Paid To or For Members | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Compensation of Officers, Directors | $100,996 | $102,433 | $100,815 | $91,650 | $91,650 |
| Other Salaries, Wages | $901,923 | $810,585 | $777,482 | $678,047 | $550,612 |
| Pension Plan Contributions | $76,607 | $50,377 | $51,387 | $54,399 | $55,416 |
| Other Employee Benefits | $80,882 | $131,789 | $123,675 | $127,942 | $143,020 |
| Payroll Taxes | $50,301 | $67,316 | $62,261 | $54,031 | $47,682 |
| Professional Fundraising Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Accounting Fees | $15,635 | $13,180 | $14,715 | $13,975 | $13,005 |
| Legal Fees | $0 | $1,000 | $0 | $0 | $290 |
| Supplies | $427,854 | $152,676 | $104,373 | $79,593 | $81,999 |
| Telephone | $24,915 | $20,898 | $27,897 | $25,322 | $30,719 |
| Postage & Shipping | $118,427 | $169,005 | $148,208 | $135,042 | $136,198 |
| Occupancy | $48,000 | $58,795 | $63,268 | $56,732 | $48,076 |
| Equipment Rental & Maintenance | $87,148 | $130,412 | $48,140 | $35,442 | $39,611 |
| Printing & Publications | $17,275 | $128,523 | $116,738 | $137,743 | $86,104 |
| Travel | $116,329 | $123,626 | $104,938 | $157,002 | $78,720 |
| Conferences, Conventions & Meetings | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Interest | $3,107 | $1,391 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Depreciation, Depletion etc. | $60,041 | $70,434 | $82,981 | $84,742 | $100,562 |
| Other Expenses | $1,734,116 | $1,413,433 | $1,147,682 | $785,909 | $636,120 |
| Total Functional Expenses | $3,906,441 | $3,530,524 | $3,003,751 | $2,553,318 | $2,187,355 |