Summit is located in Southwest Michigan. We have been a part of the community of Niles, serving the surrounding area for over 70 years. At Summit Church, our doors are open to people from all backgrounds, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. The heart behind everything we do is leading people to follow Christ, so that lives are changed, for our good and for God's glory. That's what we're all about.

People from a wide range of backgrounds feel at home here. We are a part of a specific denomination, the Missionary Church denomination, and our core beliefs are Biblically based and align with those of the greater Christian faith. We try to focus more on the beliefs that unite us rather than those that would divide us.

Leading People to Follow Christ.

The goal of every church should be leading people to follow Christ. It takes effort to move from being a believer in Christ to being a follower of Christ. In order to have real transformation that comes from following Christ we must do three things:

Know God. Love People. Serve the World.

If the people of Summit Church are actively seeking to Know God, Love People, and Serve the World, then God will work among us and we will see lives changed for the Glory of God. 

As a church we want to clearly state what we believe and stand behind it. While understand that people may differ on some beliefs, we all have core beliefs that we would die for. We focus more on the beliefs that would unite us than those that might divide us. These are our core beliefs--about God, people, the church, the Bible, and the return of Christ. They are the foundation of our faith. This is what we believe.

GOD

We believe the God of the Bible is the only true God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

(Matt. 28:19, 1 Cor. 8:6, Deut. 6:4)

We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His atoning death on the cross that paid the price for human sin, His bodily resurrection, His ascension and His return to earth. 

(Jn. 1:1, Jn. 14:6, Lk. 1:31, 35, 1 Cor. 15:3-5, 2 Cor. 5:21)

We believe the Holy Spirit is present in the world to make humanity aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance to do what is right. He provides spiritual gifts that enable believers to accomplish the purposes of God as we yield our life to Him. (Jn. 14:16-17, 26, Gal. 4:6)

PEOPLE

We believe that Adam and Eve, our first parents, were created by an immediate act of God. In their original state they enjoyed sweet fellowship with God. The purpose of their creation was to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Having been created in the likeness of God, human beings possess self-conscious personality capable of free and rational choice.

(Gen. 1:26-27, Gen. 5:1-2)

We believe Adam and Eve did not remain in the happy state of their original creation because they were deluded through the subtlety of satan and voluntarily disobeyed the positive command of God. They became alienated from God and incurred upon themselves a sentence of death, both physical and spiritual. In consequence of this act of disobedience, the entire human race has become corrupted. In every human heart there is an evil disposition, which eventually leads to acts of sin and to condemnation. All people are guilty of sin and need God's forgiveness. (Gen. 3, Rom. 3:23, Rom. 5:12)

We believe a right relationship with God is available to anyone through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who confess and turn from their sin, trusting in Jesus Christ, will be saved by God's grace and become Children of God with the promise of eternal life. (Jn. 3:16, Jn 3:36, Rom. 6:23)

THE BIBLE

We believe the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God and is the unchanging authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:21)

THE CHURCH

We believe Christ is the Head of the Church. The Church is composed of "Christ followers" who seek to bring glory to God and is God's primary way of accomplishing His purposes on earth. (Heb. 10:23-25, Matt. 28:18-20, Eph. 1:21-23, Eph. 2:19-20, Col. 1:18)

THE RETURN OF CHRIST

We believe that Jesus is coming again in bodily form, to rule and judge the world. (1 Thess. 4:16-17, Jn. 14:3, Mk. 13:32, Heb. 9:28, Rev. 22:12)

It takes effort to move from being a believer in Christ to being a follower of Christ. That is why we encourage everyone at Summit to keep growing in these six areas that we value.

GRACE

Receiving, living in, and sharing God's grace.

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God." Ephesians 2:8

GROWTH

Growing in wisdom, character, and obedience.

"We will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church." Ephesians 4:15

GROUPS

Experiencing biblically functioning community with others.

"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." Acts 2:46

GIFTS

Serving God and others with spiritual gifts.

"A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church...All of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:7, 27

GENEROSITY

Generously responding to God by supporting the needs of the church, community and world. 

"If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. With the measure you use in giving, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

GOSPEL

All people can have new life with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God..." Ephesians 2:8-9

Summit Church is affiliated with the Missionary Church Denomination. If you would like a more in-depth look the Missionary Church, or would like to view our more specific beliefs, you can visit their site. 

We are geographically located in the North Central District of our denomination, which spans Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, and part of Illinois. Our district is made up of over 70 churches with similar beliefs and goals to reach the world for Christ. 

World Partners is the international arm of the Missionary Church, and spans the globe with more than 80 professional missionaries. A portion of our church's operating budget supports World Partners, in addition to our church's local and global missions work.