I graduated from Summit a few years back. The place is a mess. There's another comment here explaining how manipulative they are, and that comment is 100% true.
I was also in a vulnerable spot when I attended, and it has taken me years to climb out of the hell they put me in. I was taught so many non-Biblical ideas, with no (or even contradictory) Biblical basis. I was not taught how to actually read or understand Scripture as a scholar. The select staff and students who are held up on pedestals are often the worst of the bunch (but called "spiritual" because they have talents).
I have literal goosebumps writing this even now, and I feel sick in my stomach. I do not like to throw around the word lightly, but Summit was traumatizing, and I'm still recovering. I feel like my mind was beaten down daily, told I had something wrong with me, was exploited, mocked and belittled...all while being crushed with how much all of it was by "God's design". I still want to believe in Jesus, but Summit hurt me so deeply that it's really hard remain in the faith.
Do not donate. Do not attend. It's not a school where you will learn actual Scripture, and it's likely you will be made to feel like a worthless piece of trash. Half my cohort left Summit as atheists.
Summit International School of Ministry is not what it appears to be. I spent two years “studying” at Summit after high school. I came out of an abusive relationship and was ripe for manipulation.
I came to Summit because it had been described to me as the place in which I would encounter God on a deeper level. Instead, I received many painful and traumatic experiences that have taken years to heal from. The leaders at Summit (perhaps due to a lack of attention/care and education) use Scripture as a means to manipulate students into submission. Students are not taught to critically think or determine the actual meaning of Scripture. They are taught to “sense” what God is revealing to them through absent-minded contemplation.
At Summit, I was taught a few great theological concepts of the character of God, alongside many anecdotal ideas of prayer and “feeling the presence of God.” Most of the teachers are grossly unqualified; in a number of my classes I noticed misspellings and improper usage of grammar used by my teachers.
The majority of Summit’s staff favors the students who have natural speaking/preaching abilities or natural musical capabilities. Those students will be the ones who receive the most attention, be given the greatest opportunity to speak publicly, and have the upper hand in any relational conflict within the school. They are considered to be the students with the most spiritual influence, even if their character or lifestyle does not equal their natural talent. I, myself alongside many of my classmates received the brunt of this neglect from the staff.
I stayed at Summit because I had been manipulated and made unaware of just how unhealthy my environment was. Leaving Summit before the two year term is shamed by fellow students and staff alike, as it is considered leaving the very will of God. Upon graduating and leaving however, I was left with absolutely no support from staff, and no practical preparation for real life.
If you are considering this school, I pray you take heed to the warning signs, and carefully consider the risk.
Summit International School of Ministry, formally Mt. Zion, is probably the best thing that has happened to me in my life.
I graduated in 2017, and don't regret a minute of my time spent at the school.
There is so much that I have learned over my two years there. I matured in ways I would not have if I had gone first to a secular school.
To the student who is looking to first seek God before beginning the rest of their life, Summit is the place to go. It won't be easy, it will definitely come with challenges. Yet, if seeking God is truly your desire, you will achieve that.
I am amazed at how the school has changed over time, and how God continues to bless it and provide for it. I honestly believe He honors those working at the school because of what it does!
The school is extremely affordable. Most people don't know, but if you do your research, students are asked to pay less than 50% of the actual cost of studying at Summit. Much of the finances are donations that come through donors.
If I can leave the reader with one thought, it would be this; Summit is steeped in prayer. It's all about prayer, and teaching people the necessity of it. It exists because those in charge spend many, many hours praying. Praying for finances, praying for the students, praying for the faculty, praying for everything! That is something very valuable that you won't find in many places.
The person who wrote the October 5th review, has written numerous other negative reports about the school. It is from a disgruntled parent of a student who withdrew in the first 3 weeks of classes. Frankly, If a person cannot tolerate 3 weeks of following simple guidelines, such as meal times and class schedules, then I would question if that person is suitable to have sound judgement on what the school is really like. Three weeks is hardly enough time to give an accurate depiction of what goes on there. Be very wary of any reviews written by this person.
I went to the school and stayed for the entire 2 year class schedule. While there used to be many more rules, the new name of the institution and President, are indicative of the many changes taken place there. I have heard they relaxed many of the rules that were found to be redundant. I can only speak of what the school used to be like under the old name mentioned above.
First off, the school is a Bible College. I stress the word college. Therefore there are guidelines set up to facilitate and ensure that, what goes on at other colleges, does not happen there. Such as rampant hook ups and many of the inappropriate behaviors of young, college age, people. Yes, they are all supposed to be "mature Christians", but they are also human and prone to making poor choices, especially at college age. Some students are more mature than others. However, everyone must follow the same set of guidelines.
The cut off age is 39 and I was a grown man when I went there in my 30,s. Having never had much discipline growing up, I found the rules extremely challenging. I realized rather quickly I was going to have to deal with the many emotional issues, I had never come to grips with in my past, or I could simply choose to leave. Some of the issues in which the rules are designed to address are; spiritual Immaturity, learning to come under authority, loving those you have absolutely nothing in common with, inordinate pride, anger issues... etc.
My roommate was your typical college age student. When I asked him how he felt about the situation, he responded "Its not much different than from what I experienced, in my home life, before I came. I had various chores, rules and a schedule I needed to follow. Therefore I am not having the same problems you are having." It gave me great insight into why I found the simplest of rules, so hard to follow. I had never learned to come under authority as a young person, so needed to learn it at the school.
All in all, I would not change a thing about my time there. Everything I needed to learn, I learned. The classes are phenomenal. The amount of spiritual growth I received was very satisfying. The school gives you a structured environment to be able to quickly read through the entire Bible in 1 school year. Despite having had already read the Bible from start to finish a couple of times, I found the structure of the classes extremely helpful and very insightful. It also set me up to have an organized devotional life after finishing. The other students were very supportive and I gained much insight on what it means to live a life of service to others.
I would highly recommend this school to anyone who is interested in deepening their faith and discovering who they are in Christ. All while under a leadership who's testimony speaks for itself.