Summit Blog
May 2
Meet Kerri Dunkelberger, Olive Crest: Things that Matter
Over the last few months, I have had the chance to sit with or telephone many of the breakout presenters for this year’s Summit, in order to learn more about their stories and share them with you. Having attended Summit for the last two years, I’m amazed at the depth and breadth of the stories [...]
May 1
Meet Scott Brown: Called.
Meet … Scott Brown, Breakout Presenter, Summit VIII Aging Out of Orphan Care Why? Called. One of my favorite childhood memories is of my father on a cold, rainy night of middle school soccer. I will never forget it. I was playing a double-header soccer game. One soccer game is long, two straight must [...]
May 1
Meet Ruslan Maliuta: Ukraine and Russia
Meet … Ruslan Maliuta, Breakout Presenter, Summit VIII Learning from the Indigenous Orphan Care Movement in Ukraine and Russia Why? GOD. My favorite childhood memory is when I climbed to the top of Mt. Goverla when I was 14. At 6,761 feet, this is the highest mountain in Ukraine, and when I climbed Goverla it [...]
Apr 30
Meet Marci Lewellen: Jesus
Meet … Marci Lewellen, Breakout Presenter, Summit VIII Mobilizing the Whole Community to Rescue and Restore Why does Marci do what she does? Jesus. She shares … As a child, I loved playing in my backyard… with my mom close in the kitchen I felt the perfect balance of independence and safety to explore and [...]
Apr 30
Meet Jodi and Vanessa: Orphan Sunday Power
The Power of Orphan Sunday: How You Can Impact the World with Your Gifts Meet … Jodi Jackson Turner, Breakout Co-Presenter, Summit VIII Adoption has always been part of my family even since childhood. I have two siblings who were adopted as infants, and I saw in my parent’s love for them that all children [...]
Apr 30
With arms raised high
I got excited tonight. Excited that Summit is almost here. Excited to WORSHIP together. With all the great breakouts, the amazing keynote speakers, and the tremendous resources we get to gather at Summit, I believe the most impactful thing of all is when we worship together. When we bow our heads, lift our hands, weep, [...]
Apr 27
Meet Sarah Hock: Love.
Meet … Sarah Hock, Breakout Presenter, Summit VIII Pop Culture and Orphans Why? Love. We serve orphans because of God’s great love for us. My favorite childhood memories are from the time I spent growing up on Maui as a child. I have many wonderful memories of times shared with my younger brother growing up in what was [...]
Apr 26
Meet Michael Monroe: Gratitude
Meet … Michael Monroe, Breakout Presenter, Summit VIII 1. Building Church Ministries: Adoption 201 2. Adoption from the Inside Out Why? Gratitude. A favorite childhood memory of mine was going to Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama with my Dad and brother in 1986 to watch Alabama play Notre Dame. Alabama won. Roll Tide! God turned [...]
Apr 25
Meet Robin Pennington: Redemption
Meet … Robin Pennington, Summit VIII Breakout Presenter Serving At Risk Families & At Risk Children in Adoption & Disruption Why? Redemption. My favorite childhood memory was just about everything related to summer! I loved being out of school and being free to spend my days swimming, playing with the neighborhood kids, eating ice cream [...]
Apr 24
Meet Darren Washausen: Obedience
Meet … Darren Washausen, Breakout Presenter, Summit VIII Working Together: The Benefits of Regional Church Orphan Ministry Alliances Why? Obedience, and a love for serving God in caring for the Fatherless. A favorite childhood memory is when my extended family would go to Crab Orchard Lake in Southern Illinois for a weekend of camping and [...]
