“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” (Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV)
Throughout the Old Testament, God constantly reminds his people to remember what he has done in the past. Do you think that’s because God loves reminiscing about the “good old days?” Neither do I. His re- minder to remember his grace in the past is an encouragement to trust him for what he plans in the future. Past grace points toward future grace. This annual report is a glance at our past that serves several purposes.
First, there is an element of celebration. God has been abundantly faithful. Just look at all that he has done in our midst! Throughout last year, we launched the Apex campus (with more than 2,000 people in week 1!), we saw 50 new small groups, we baptized more than 500 new believers, and we planted 38 new churches!
Second, this annual report provides a measure of accountability from your leadership and fellow church members. The mission of the Summit isn’t carried forward by a handful of people with the anointing of God. It’s carried forward by every person who is pursuing the leadership of the Spirit.
Third, this is a challenge for us to remain faithful. One of my prayers for The Summit Church has been that as God makes us bigger, we would never lose the spirit and focus we had at our beginning—that our pri- mary mission is bringing other people to Jesus. We may meet in 11 locations all across the Triangle, but we are one church with one mission: reaching people with the gospel. What will God do now if we keep making ourselves available to him? Our God is not just a God of the past. He’s a God of the present and of the future. I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.
Pastor J.D.
Following the Holy Spirit, we exist to create a movement of disciple-making disciples, in RDU and around the world.
Giving During COVID-19
Because of your generosity, during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Summit Church has:
- Given $300,000 through ServeRDU to families in need.
- Financially assisted over 150 families.
- Given $200,000 in financial assistance to people in our community.
- Given $75,000 to help with food resources in our community.
- Given $50,000 to help struggling domestic church plants.
133
12,177
24,367
1,482
1,896
19,116
*Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person attendance fluctuated greatly in 2020.
**This number is an estimation based on the total number of views.
***This number is an estimation based on actual in-person attendance and the total number of views.
Spotlight: Ken and JoAnn’s Generosity Story
“We don’t give to win God’s favor, we’re generous because God has been generous to us. What more generous act can you even think of other than the gospel?
God has provided food, clothing, and shelter, but more importantly he has given us contentment and peace with how he has provided for us.”
— Ken and JoAnn
8,000
20
395
1,701
419
400
5,300
Spotlight: Summit Home Gatherings
In a season of great uncertainty, members of the Summit invited others into their homes for weekly meetings of worship, teaching and fellowship.
Despite not being able to gather at our campuses for several months, God worked in and through home gatherings in 2020.
5
62
65
60
11
447
385
261
Spotlight: International Church Planting
Emily and Reid never thought a global pandemic would be their ticket to serving with a church plant overseas. But when the world turned upside down in spring 2020, and Emily began working remotely, God was bringing something beautiful out of something tragic.
17,000
535,523
306,014
2,379,531
358,027
9,549
Following the Holy Spirit, we exist to create a movement of disciple-making disciples, in RDU and around the world.
17,000
514,459
355,190
2,379,531
358,027
10,823
Finances
Audited financials as of Aug. 31
Tithes and offerings: $33,878,765
Mission Trip Giving: $459,220
Program, Support, Rental, and Other Income: $1,568,031
Operating Expenses: $27,947,006
Mission Trip Expenses: $491,028
Operating Cash: $16,857,433
During a year full of risk and uncertainty, through the faithful stewardship and generosity of our members, we were able to achieve our financial targets and maintain our sound financial health. The Summit Church ended the fiscal year in line with our revenue targets. (Our tithes and offerings were $33.9M compared to a budget of $33.7M.) The shift from gathering in person to gathering online resulted in some expense reduction in certain areas, ultimately resulting in expenses coming in under budget. (Ministry programming expenses were $22M compared to a budget of $25M.) We met our growth and expansion fund goal (11.7M actual vs. $8.7M budget) which allowed investment in our digital/online strategy as well as the planned construction of our North Durham permanent campus. Our balance sheet remained strong with cash of $16.9M, long-term debt of $29M, and total assets of $74.3M.
ECFA enhances trust in Christ-centered churches and ministries by establishing and applying Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™ to accredited organizations. ECFA provides accreditation to leading Christian non-profit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, transparency, fundraising, and board governance.
