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Restore the Strength of Your Ministry and Relationships at The Summit
By Rheta Murry

Can a little recreation and rejuvenation lead to revival and restoration? They can when pastors and ministry leaders really get away from e-mail, phones and meetings to recharge their batteries in a place designed just for them. The Summit is not some sleepy cabin in the woods -- it’s a quiet place where ministers can reconnect with God and their church staff, and even enjoy a first-class retreat with their spouse. The Summit has many things you can do to change your pace besides just relaxing. It is a retreat center tucked into 50 acres of private woods in Ft. Payne, Ala., that provides space for Christian leaders and professionals to retreat from daily busyness and renew their perspectives.

“Our mission is to provide a sacred respite for the encouragement of Christian leaders,” said Trent Wilbanks, director of The Summit. “While individual pastor/spouse retreats are part of who we are, we also focus on teambuilding retreats for pastoral, church staff and ministry leadership teams.”

Ministers and pastoral teams can relax and unwind in one of 14 comfortable bedrooms and suites, each without televisions or telephones. They also can conduct meetings in The Summit's massive great room with pass-through stone fireplace and mountain views, or use the conference and break-out rooms for smaller gatherings.

Need a little recreation? The Summit offers a bevy of leisure activities both inside and out. Swim in the pool, hike mountain trails, gather at the bonfire ring, toss a Frisbee or basketball or just relax on The Summit’s 6,000-plus square feet of decks and porches. Exercise in the fitness room or step into the Gentry Billiards room complete with a billiards table, foosball and board games. All rooms feature fantastic views of the area.

With advance notice, you can arrange a variety of area outings including rock climbing, rappelling, golf, canoeing, hiking, picnics, fishing, paintball, ropes course, mountain biking, hang gliding, taking scenic drives and shopping.

Reconnect with Your Spouse

Think this wonderful place would be out of your “pocketbook” range? Guess again.

“We have discounted ministry-retreat fees for church staff retreats and other ministry-leadership team retreats," Wilbanks said. "It is also our pleasure to host individual pastors and their spouses for personal times of rest and spiritual renewal at The Summit in Fort Payne, AL."

Dr. David Parker, and his wife, Yvonne, recently spent three nights at The Summit. Parker is senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Duluth, Ga. He said the facility is a great place to relax, debrief, back off from the pressures of life and to pray.

“It was absolutely wonderful,” Parker said. “It has all the ambience of a place you would go to as a first class resort, but is conducted on the basis of a total spiritual renewal type of experience.”

Once the couple had toured the facilities and heard its history, Wilbanks and staff “gave us their blessing to do whatever we needed to do to refresh,” Parker added.

The Parkers' experience included waffles one morning and ala carte omelets, where the couple chose the ingredients and staff cooked the omelets to perfection, on another. They ate breakfast in the estate’s elegant banquet-size dining room.

Teddy Gentry, bass guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the legendary country band Alabama, constructed The Summit's original buildings in 1987. Bob and Beth Yoe purchased the property in 1991. During the next 12 years, they enhanced the already-impressive home, hoping that the estate would someday be used as a unique and intimate Christian retreat. Today the property is owned by S. Truett Cathy, inventor of the chicken sandwich and founder of Chick-fil-A, Inc., with ministries operated by Lifeshape Foundation.

Keith Moore, senior pastor of Dogwood Church in Tyrone, Ga. brought his entire staff – 18 members – to The Summit for a retreat a little over a year ago. In addition, he’s conducted a senior staff annual planning retreat and a two-day meeting with his executive pastor, and takes at least two five personal retreats a year.

“We took the time to tell our life stories to each other and then pray for each other,” Moore said of his staff retreat. “We grew in community and love and trust one another more.”

Moore said he takes both personal and staff retreats at The Summit to deepen community, grow in spirit, do strategic planning and to have an extended time with the Lord in prayer to seek His direction.

Why does he choose The Summit at Ft. Payne, Ala.?

“It is beautiful and the facilities are first class,” he said. “The food and service is over the top. It’s in a convenient location, only 2.5 hours away.”

It doesn’t matter whether you live within driving distance of The Summit at Ft. Payne, Ala., or across the country. Guests return home encouraged and renewed.

Your Retreat is Waiting, Schedule Today!

It’s easy to make reservations at The Summit. Visit the Website at http://www.lifeshape.org/summit/contact_reservation.aspx and fill out a simple online reservation inquiry. We’ll take it from there — so you can relax!

You can also e-mail TheSummit@Lifeshape.org , or call (678) 999-2181, ext. 380. The Summit at Ft. Payne, Ala., is located at 1000 Laurel Lane SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967.

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