The Alliance
  • Alliance Life
  • News
  • Video
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Ministries
  • Events
  • Resources
  • MyCMA
  • Give
  • Serve
  • Pray

Browse by:

  • Alliance Life
  • News
  • Video

Envision Summit: ‘A Life-Changing Week’

Summit is an annual Envision (Alliance) leadership conference for young influencers.

Young leaders sought God and grew in their faith together at the recent Envision Summit in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 14–21. The goal of this intimate gathering of about 50 was to care for the participants’ souls and leadership skills.

“[The Summit was] a great way to connect with like-minded peers in a casual setting, yet have meaningful conversation and receive valuable information,” says Becky Lilly, 27, from Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Envision Summit: ‘A Life-Changing Week’
Speaker CJ Casciotta (Photo courtesy of Summit 2016 participant Carter Bergen)

This year’s Summit theme was “The Table.” Attendees were divided into cohorts to spend time conversing around the table as Jesus did so many times.

“We experienced spiritual family as God invited us to feast on Him throughout the week and engage in corporate times of worship,” says Britt Cooper, U.S. Envision trips coordinator.

Variety of Participants

Summit participants, who had to apply to attend, ranged from students to professionals with different faith journeys, backgrounds, and vocations. The variety of stories and perspectives they brought to the table added to the event’s richness.

Envision Summit: ‘A Life-Changing Week’
Summit participants (pictured) described their week as deep, formative, life-changing, soul-filling, empowering, EPIC . . . mind-blowing. (Photo courtesy of Summit 2016 participant Benjamin Sander)

“I was amazed with how God used my roommate and the people I met . . . to speak into my life and how we were able to encourage each other,” says Chelsea Baird, 24, from Colorado Springs, Colorado. “A lot of us seemed to be at the same place emotionally and spiritually. Jesus affirmed many things I had already been thinking about through the people and the sessions.”

Am I Being Faithful?

Some of the group’s favorite times were spent with David Hearn, Canadian Alliance president, and John Stumbo, U.S. Alliance president. These speakers challenged the group to not ask, “Am I doing enough?” in regards to serving the Lord but instead ask, “Am I being faithful in what I’m doing?” They encouraged the young people listening to practice healthy rhythms of Sabbath.

Envision Summit: ‘A Life-Changing Week’
Corporate worship was a time of “feasting on God.” (Photo courtesy of Summit 2016 participant Carter Bergen)

Another key topic at the Summit was about waiting expectantly for the Holy Spirit to move. Tim Meier, U.S. director for Envision, shared that Spirit empowerment “comes from being in a position of willingness and waiting.” But first believers must ask, as David Hearn said, “Am I ignitable?” In other words, am I willing, expectant, and ready for the Holy Spirit to move?

CJ Casciotta, founder and executive producer of Sounds Like a Movement, helped the conference attendees write their mission statements and personal manifestos. He instructed them about how to move toward their dreams or callings.

Other presenters spoke about living missionally, “father wounds,” questions Jesus asked, being a church planter in a post-Christian context, and more.

“[The Summit] was an awesome opportunity to bond with other people who have similar passions. [It was] a great place for people who regularly pour themselves out to get filled up—a life-changing week,” Chelsea says.

The U.S. Envision staff is grateful for Ryan Graham, director of Envision Leadership Development for The Alliance in Canada, and his team, whose partnership and ownership were critical to the week’s success.


Recap video by Benjamin Sander

Learn More

Visit WeAreEnvision.com to learn about future Envision Summits.

  • Previous
  • Next

Related Stories

  • The Aroma of Christ Spreads Throughout Taiwan April 28, 2021
  • Because You Give, Gang Members Have Gospel Access November 30, 2020
  • Caring in Miami June 3, 2020
  • Caring in Indonesia April 15, 2020
  • Caring in the Philippines April 13, 2020
  • Unprecedented Outreach Opportunity Touches Thousands December 6, 2019
  • Dr. Timothy Meier, ATS Alumnus of the Year for Service to the Kingdom of God June 13, 2019
  • Prayer is Primary September 1, 2018
  • Word and Deed July 2, 2018
  • But First, Water April 30, 2018

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet

Get Involved...

Pray.

We cannot “Live the Call Together” unless prayer is central to all we do.
Pray with us »

Serve.

Is God calling you to service? We’re here to help you connect your passion with God’s purpose.
Serve with The Alliance »

Give.

Help build Christ’s Church by supporting the ministry and workers of The Alliance.
Give today »


Get Connected

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • MyCMA
  • Locate a Church
  • Locate an International Worker
  • Daily Devotionals
  • Employment
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • MyCMA

Our Web site uses cookies to streamline site navigation and provide a better online experience for you. Your continued use of www.cmalliance.org indicates your agreement to accept cookies from this site. ©2003-2022 The Christian and Missionary Alliance-All rights reserved. Some material used by permission.