Summit will begin on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m., with check-in opening up at 6:00 p.m., and will continue until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10. View the schedule.

We will gather in person in Abilene on the ACU campus. We will meet at the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building (BSB) for the Summit gatherings on Wednesday evening, Thursday morning and afternoon, and Friday morning. And we’ll host Thursday’s dinner and plenary session with Nijay Gupta at the Hunter Welcome Center on the ACU campus. See the schedule for details. 

In the past, Summit offered classes on an array of topics. Through an intentional discernment process, we decided to focus each Summit gathering more narrowly in order to meet participants’ needs. To mix a few metaphors, rather than try to be all things to all people, we’re seeking to pick a lane and knock it out of the ballpark! Learn more about our vision.

As always, Summit will provide opportunities for fellowship, study, worship, and spiritual renewal for all who wish to participate. This year, we will focus more intentionally on the areas of adult formation, Hispanic ministry, intergenerational ministry, preaching, and small/rural churches. We will also offer two general interest communities—an Old Testament and a New Testament—for anyone, ministers and non-ministers alike! Read more about our Summit communities.

Not necessarily. The groups will likely vary at each Summit, though some communities may occur at Summit on a regular basis. We will continue to discern and respond to emerging needs from our networks of congregational leaders and other Christ-followers. Will sessions be recorded?

Generally speaking, the sessions for the specific ministry communities will not be recorded. As we prioritize the relational, face-to-face aspects of the Summit experience, sessions will become more interactive, more conversational. On a practical level, discussions are far more difficult to record than lectures, and frankly, rarely provide a good listening experience later, even if the recording quality is good. More importantly, we want participants to feel comfortable speaking candidly without the concern that their thoughts will be preserved for all time. Thus, we have decided not to record Summit sessions as a whole. However, we have made plans to record the general interest sessions as well as the keynote speakers. And we also invite you to access past Summit recordings at any time.

Generally speaking, the sessions for the specific ministry communities will not be recorded. As we prioritize the relational, face-to-face aspects of the Summit experience, sessions will become more interactive, more conversational. On a practical level, discussions are far more difficult to record than lectures, and frankly, rarely provide a good listening experience later, even if the recording quality is good. More importantly, we want participants to feel comfortable speaking candidly without the concern that their thoughts will be preserved for all time. Thus, we have decided not to record Summit sessions as a whole. However, we have made plans to record the general interest sessions as well as the keynote speakers. And we also invite you to access past Summit recordings at any time.

Yes, if you are not able to participate in Summit but would still like to attend the plenary session and dinner, click on the registration link, and select the ticket option for “Thursday Anchor Point Dinner Only.” Please note that this registration does not include a copy of Nijay Gupta’s book, Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling.

We have noticed that hotel prices are significantly higher than in previous years, as a result we have procured a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn and Suites Abilene I-20. The special ACU Summit rate is $199/night plus local and state taxes (15%). If this is something you're interested in, you can book through one of the following options:

• Online: Use this hotel reservation link to book two nights for Oct. 8-10, 2025.

• Phone: Call the hotel directly at 325-673-4400 and mention ACU Summit for the special rate.

Special note: This block of rooms is good until September 22 at 11:55pm Central Time or once all rooms are booked. Additionally, please call the hotel directly to add your Hilton Honors information or to request a different length of stay. We also recommend looking into VRBO or AirBnB for lodging accommodations. 

Yes! Summit registration is now required. Why? For a few reasons. It will help group facilitators craft their community gathering times appropriately for the size of their group – several hours of interactive engagement looks very different with a group of 30 compared to a group of 100! It will also help our team with practical matters like selecting classrooms and ordering the right amount of food for Thursday’s dinner. 

Additionally,due to our venue capacity and our intentionally smaller program, Summit registration is limited to only 350 people. Early registration ($35) is open through August 28, with regular registration ($55) open through September 23. See table below.

We have a special half-price rate for undergraduate or graduate students who would like to attend Summit. Early student registration ($17.50) is open through August 28, with regular student registration ($27.50) open through September 23. Please email us for a student discount code.

• All sessions with your Summit community plus any related materials, if applicable.

• Keynote sessions led by Naomi Walters, Jerry Taylor, and Nathan Burrow alongside intentional times of worship with United Voice Worship.

• A wonderful catered dinner and plenary session, called Anchor Point, with noted scholar, author, and speaker Nijay Gupta, and communal worship.

• A copy of Nijay Gupta’s book, Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling.

• A hospitality gathering with light refreshments on Wednesday evening and light brunch in the late morning on Friday. 

We don’t want the cost to keep anyone from participating in Summit; therefore, we have scholarships available. If you find the registration price prohibitive, please email us for a discount code.

On a related note, if you would like to chip in a bit extra to help defray the cost of someone else’s attending, you’ll have the opportunity to do that via the registration form. Simply select the “Donation” ticket type and enter your desired donation amount.

See table below. Registration now!

If you are an ACU employee and want to pay by FOAP, please use this registration form.

Click here for a listing of several hotels near campus. Please check with hotels directly for details and rates, including discounts for ACU-affiliated guests.

Thursday’s dinner will be in the Hunter Welcome Center on the ACU Campus.