Andrea Summers: CREATING SPACE ON CAMPUS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
In 2016, Andrea Summers, dean of spiritual formation and campus pastor at IWU, attended the Lausanne Movement Conference for Younger Leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia. In a room filled with 1,500 church leaders from around the world, Summers felt God calling her to foster spiritual awakening in the next generation. While she had no idea where God would lead her, she had a clear sense of purpose.
For John Drury, professor of theology and ministry and campus intercessor, one of the most significant shifts in prayer culture at IWU came with the arrival of Summers and her heart for spiritual renewal.
“Before that, it was the lonely work of just a few people,” Drury said. “But Andrea was able to elevate and partner with the groups that existed, so things could grow.”
Summers believes part of what makes current college students so open to God is that many have experienced deep brokenness — whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. While these challenges differ from those of previous generations, they also create unique opportunities for spiritual growth and restoration.
“I love the way the Holy Spirit is uniquely moving in Generation Z and equipping them to bring spiritual awakening to the church at large and to teach older generations something about what it means to walk in the Spirit,” Summers said. “Getting to see how God is moving in Gen Z and being a conduit to help that come to fruition on campus is really exciting to me.”
"GETTING TO SEE HOW GOD IS MOVING IN GEN Z AND BEING A CONDUIT TO HELP THAT COME TO FRUITION ON CAMPUS IS REALLY EXCITING TO ME.”
-
REV. ANDREA SUMMERS ’00
Dean of Spiritual Formation & Campus Pastor
One of the most significant changes since Summers’ arrival was the launch of small groups across campus, replacing a traditional Wednesday chapel service with a weekly time dedicated to small group gatherings.
“Groups can jump from three to 10 students in a week. It’s catching on like wildfire because God’s at the heart of it,” said senior Esperance Mwiza, a human communication major who currently serves as the student body chaplain of prayer.
Mwiza helps lead Consecrate the Week, a space where students gather to pray for the coming week. The group began modestly but has been joined by 18 weekly times for gathered prayer throughout the week.
“There’s a spiritual vitality and vibrancy on this campus that’s connected to a web of relationships,” Summers said. An estimated 55 to 70 percent of IWU’s residential students are actively engaged in at least one small group. “It’s become woven into our culture, and when people from other schools hear the numbers, their jaws drop. I don’t know why God’s blessing is in this way, but it’s really special.”
Summers attributes much of IWU’s current faith climate to the work of her team in the Office of Spiritual Formation, including Spencer Loman, Josh Lavender, Emily Robbins, Jonathan Alvarez, Dalton Miller, as well as John Drury.
“I feel privileged to work with them,” Summers said. “I’m proud of the team the Lord let me assemble to serve students and our campus. They’re all super creative, humble leaders, and they care about students.”
While small groups create logistical complications for her team, their support allows Summers to focus on what small groups have led to on campus and where the Holy Spirit is taking them next.
“There are wonderful things happening in the worship culture on campus — students have started assembling once a month to talk about what it means to lead worship and engage in it together,” Summers said. “There’s something bubbling up there we want to pay attention to.”
There are exciting new opportunities for students to engage with both the local community and the global Church. Summers emphasized that true spiritual awakening is often linked to our willingness to come alongside — and learn from — the marginalized.
Drury believes the work Summers leads is deeply Wesleyan in nature and opens the door for meaningful growth and restoration — not only in individual lives but in the overall spiritual health of the student body.
“Awakening was a central piece of what the Wesley brothers did,” Drury said. “It wasn’t just about stirring people up but getting them organized in groups where they could encourage and push each other to grow. That’s the vision Andrea has for small groups and prayer on campus.”
For Summers, everything ties back to the mission God placed on her heart in 2016 and her ongoing effort to remain faithful to it.
“I don't think it's been anything I've done, it's just what God has allowed to unfold under my leadership,” Summers said. “When you have enough people willing to contend in prayer, believing God is active, and passionate about bringing others in — that leads to great things. I'm just trying to create space for what God’s doing and be faithful in that.”