I really appreciated this whole day. I came to a few realizations about myself and my life thanks to the activities. I feel closer to God which is something I really needed.

My experience at Summit has honestly marked a milestone in my life. The opportunity that the summit program sponsored, allowed for the selected “guides" to go and share an interpersonal understanding with a few near and trusted individuals. This not only strengthened bonds between us, but formed more respect for one another, and an acute awareness of the people around us; how we can affect them, and how we can help them come together over their struggles.

This training was amazing. It showed me how to relate to others that are struggling in ways that I had never thought of. It was also very eye-opening for me and opening up and sharing my story made me realize things about myself that I have struggled with for years.

The summit guide training had a tremendous impact on me because it taught me that it’s okay to have “baggage”. We are soldiers but first and foremost we are human and sometimes we forget that. The training taught how it’s okay to open up and talk about the things that bother us, I learned how to listen to someone that may be going through something and not make them feel weak or unwanted but instead help them and understand that we all go through things that may be hard to bear alone. The Summit training helped me talk about things in my past that would bother me and allowed me to feel closer to other guys in my formation because they now know why I may act the way I do sometimes. The training made all summit leaders across my battalion closer because we all learned from one another and we can help each other grow and be there for each other. I believe future training like this across our formation is needed and will be crucial to building unit cohesion. It will also give leaders a much deeper understanding of their soldiers.

I thought this was extremely powerful, peace-giving, and liberating. This experience helped me build an unforgettable bond and trust that I've never thought was possible. I believe this will take me to the next level in every area of my life. This event/training is necessary.

The training had an amazing impact on me. I personally have never been able to open up like that spiritually, and to other people. I will be able to take what I've learned from this experience and pass it on to many soldiers in my group and out. This training is what will make these groups grow and keep moving forward.

Summit Initiative is an experience that is like no other. In almost 18 years of ministry and countless conferences, seminars, and training, I have never walked away feeling like huge leaps were taken in my faith journey. Sure, I felt equipped and empowered through some, but Summit Initiative helped me dig (deeper than I had before) into my most powerful and effective ministry tool. My story… I can't emphasize enough how any Christ-follower can be so blessed and challenged through this training…

Fantastic leaders, fun and communicative, vulnerable and tender, inspired me to be open and gave me hope for healthy, emotional masculinity. More than anything, I felt safe and comfortable thanks to the environment the leaders created.

This retreat exceeded my expectations. I was struggling with many of the issues we discussed over the weekend. The enemy really had me down and I have not been feeling good about my current circumstance. This weekend renewed my relationship with Jesus. I realized that God is after my heart and I have worth to him. I have been frustrated with my situation and taking it out on my family. I was renewed by this weekend. I want to get reconnected in a deeper relationship with men at [my church]. I want to get involved and serve there as well.

He's been softening my heart. I haven't felt and cried so much for a really long time. There are lies that I've been believing that came up in every man's story. It opened up my eyes in a way that was so relatable and real in examples. "Not good enough" is what I've believed for too long. That's the lie God was speaking to. He's showing me areas I'm blind to. This weekend has broken me in a good way.

About 6 years ago I just, for some reason, stopped obeying. I never stopped hearing God or talking to God... but I stopped praying out loud. I stopped going to church. I stopped reading my bible. I stopped being a disciple and a good witness. What's cool is that God never left my side but he let me get to a point where I was open to finally obey. And that moment was here at the men's retreat. It's time for me to step up and not just know about God but to walk with him through it all. There is nothing in this world that God can't walk through with me.

Before coming I was very skeptical about what the weekend might entail, who would I identify with (if anyone), and what kind of weird things I would have to do. I was terrified of being in a place where I knew no one beyond a first name and was worried about letting people see who I truly was. I had tons of shame and self-doubt pushing me away. Throughout the weekend those walls that I set up slowly crumbled and all my pre-conceived notions faded away. I realized, through testimonies, things about my past and how they affect who I am. Ways I have been running from Him, avoiding His calling, and how my actions have been hurting those around me. I am hopeful to begin immersing myself in the Bible with his word, into my church, and blessing my family with the man He made me to be!

I grew up in church and have committed my life to being a pastor. My faith coming into this weekend was solid, but it was brought to a whole new level this weekend. I was able to name the roots of my sin and move beyond that and feel completely redeemed.

Coming into the Men's Weekend I believed in God and sometimes prayed but had compartmentalized Jesus into parts of my life. I realized that, throughout the weekend, I had not invited Jesus to walk with me in every part of my life and in every relationship. Not only do I feel rejuvenated but feel a connection to Jesus that is unparalleled before. Thank you for that! I am hopeful that I will continue to invite Jesus to walk with me and that He can lead me toward serving, loving, and protecting those in my family to the best of my ability.

[Through the training] God has been speaking to me like never before. I've realized in my day to day I never leave room for God to show up. This weekend has allowed me to soak in God's love and presence in a quiet space and give Him room to speak to me.