In consultation with McLean Bible, the host facility for summit 2021, it has been decided to cancel the “in-person” event and move summit 2021 to a virtual event like Summit 2020.
We will hold Fine Arts competitions as well as honoring those who earned their Citation award during this global pandemic.
We are discussing the possibility of holding quizzing in some format virtually.
This blog will be updated with information on the virtual event as we finalize items, so keep checking back often.
If you have already registered, we will contact you with information about refunds, etc.
Please have Citation Plaques sent to your church or your home.
We are saddened that the Summit in-person event has moved to being virtual, but even though we will not gather in person, we want to commission and encourage you with the words of Jesus from Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Go out and be messengers of God to the world, being disciples, and making disciples. Now more than ever the world needs to know about God. The world needs our prayers. You are well prepared to go and share God’s love with them. We send you out to share God’s love and look forward to your good report when we are able to meet again.
Thank you for understanding, and we hope to see you at the Summit 2021 virtual event and in person next year in 2022.
Your Summit 2021 Team
With the announcement made this morning that Summit 2021 will be virtual, there seems to be several factors that were not considered when this decision was made. By far, the largest problem with this decision is that it does not follow what God has written in the scriptures. James 1:22 states, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We are not only to read the Bible, but we are to do what it says. The Bible makes it clear that those in Christ are to meet together and have fellowship with one another. Hebrews 10:25 states “…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Are we exempt from this command simply because of the time we live in or because it is not a Sunday service? All across the nation, students have been studying God’s word for the purpose of showing the world what it means to stand for God, and this chance is being taken away from us.
We may live in a time of uncertainty, but that is nothing new. James wrote “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:13-15).
It is true that we are living through a pandemic. However, it is equally true that every day, precautions against the virus’ spread are being taken across the country. Masks have been worn, vaccines are being distributed, and planes have taken many measures to prevent the virus from spreading. If Washington DC will not allow Summit to meet for some reason, there are several other states who will not refuse our meeting (i.e. Wyoming, Texas, North Dakota, etc.). Keep faith! Jesus explained that God provides for even the sparrows and the lilies of the field. We are worth much more than such things, so we should not be worried about anything, “‘Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble’” (Matthew 6:23).
As we live under an administration that rejects God and His law, it is uncertain how long we will retain our religious freedoms. However, high school students like me are willing to meet NOW, even if the organizers of Summit are giving up. As Christians who aim to bring glory and honor to God, it is unacceptable that Summit 2021 has been essentially cancelled. We who are in Christ ought to stand firm when we face challenges as we seek to serve God. When Joshua was facing the daunting task of leading the Israelites after Moses’ death, God commanded him to be strong and courageous: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). This command was repeated twice in Deuteronomy 31 and again three times in chapter 1 of Joshua.
For all these reasons, I hope that you will reconsider your choice of canceling the live event of Summit 2021. I will be praying that you will have courage and faith in God and that you will trust him enough to not worry about the struggles that may come. Do not give up and stand firm!
Blessings,
Katelyn Carlson