The Summit - A Sacred Gathering by Bryan Craig

A few years ago, Rocky asked me to write a book on the history of Influencers from my perspective.  I was humbled and honored that he would entrust this task to me.  It was a joy to go back into my memory and recall all the wonderful things my eyes have seen in my 20 years in this ministry.  And I got to go back and confirm all the stories I had heard about the first five years, as well, before I was a part of it.  Lord willing, this book will be published in time for our International Men’s Summit April 9-12, 2026.  

One thing is certain, as I poured over all the stories and interviewed so many leaders in this ministry… God’s fingerprints are all over this ministry.  And I do not think it to be any coincidence that the publishing of this book was delayed over a year, so that its publishing could coincide with our 25-year anniversary.  Another fingerprint of God.

All of that being said, I feel like this particular Men’s Summit is going to be of particular significance and importance.  It’s NOT just another renewal weekend, or a family reunion, or a time of equipping and encouragement.  All of that will happen, but I believe it is a Sacred Calling of those who are called to this mission we call Influencers Global Ministries.  And I believe it is a “passing of the torch” of sorts, from those of us who have forged the path of the beginnings of this ministry to the next generation of Influencers who will carry the torch into the days and times ahead.  And from all indications and as God’s Holy Word foretells, these days will not be easy.

So I, for one, see this particular Summit as one to take seriously, one worth changing your schedule for, one worth the time and effort, and one you won’t want to miss.  I think of all those sacred gathering we read about in Scripture when God assembled the people for a special moment in history:

• When Moses gathered the people to share the Law he had been given on the mountain, which set a new standard and calling for God’s people.
• When Solomon dedicated the Temple and all that God had provided in His providence, and all the people were witnesses and shared in the gratitude.
• When Nehemiah gathered all the people after they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem after a period of hard work, intense resistance, and God’s favor.
• The gathering of God’s people on Pentecost when God poured out His Spirit.

You may think I’m being a bit dramatic to compare our Summit to these monumental moments in Bible history.  However, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His Spirit is on the move today as much as it was then.  From my personal experience, when you get a group of abiding disciples together, there is a power, unity and purpose that permeates the gathering and ignites new paths, and strength and courage for the ministry ahead.

Consider this…

• It was at a Summit that Les Pearsey was called to join Influencers full-time as Bakersfield’s Regional Director.
• It was at a Summit that Gary Steffes was moved to be obedient in taking care of his first ministry, his family, as he moved off of Influencers staff to take his family to Florida.  God has done amazing things with Gary and his family since.
• It was at a Summit when Henry Gutierrez, a pastor from Costa Rica, and Mike Malak, a businessman from Michigan, got invited to attend, even though they had never been through a Journey group and did not know what this ministry was all about.  God blew them away, called them in, and now they are both Regional Directors.
• It was at a Summit that two men came back home inspired to start Journey groups in their workplace at Tyson Foods, which transformed many men and influenced the corporate culture.
• It was at a Summit that one of our key leaders was appalled as he heard a man confess that he had murdered someone in his former life.  He nearly left the Summit early because he was disgusted, but God kept him there.  When he got home and was processing all of this, God reminded him of the time he urged his wife to get an abortion.  He, too, had been part of a murder.  He was cut to the heart, repented and asked his wife for forgiveness, and it set his faith and leadership on a new course.

There are many, many stories of Influencers meeting God at our Summits, cementing their relationship with Him, and clarifying their calling within this ministry.  I feel like God wants to do some amazing things, more than ever, at this Summit.

So, would you pray about this Summit? But more than that, pray about your role in this ministry movement called Influencers Global Ministries.  If you are called to this ministry, you need to be at the Summit.