“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:1–3
Abby Blakey had both the skills and the calling to lead—but Summit challenged her to lead from a place of love.
Since high school, Abby had intentionally pursued leadership opportunities that would positively impact her peers. She helped lead chapel services, guided devotionals, and served as a spiritual mentor to her cheer team. But something was missing.
“I just had a human view of love,” says Abby.
She shares that past friendships and life experiences had shaped a legalistic view of her faith—one that lacked the grace and mercy at the heart of the Gospel.“Through these past events, I had seen love modeled incorrectly,” says Abby.
Luckily, a Summit small group experience changed Abby’s outlook on love.
During the small group conversation, Abby explains, “I realized that love is the foundation of what I want to do as a leader.” Her group discussed the attributes of love, like giving grace, being patient, and behaving with gentleness.
“Understanding these attributes radically changed how I plan to approach leadership,” says Abby.
As an aspiring medical professional, Abby believes her renewed perspective on leadership will profoundly impact the way she serves in her future career. Drawing from her experience in the field as a college student, she notes that the medical field often prioritizes strict procedures and protocol—sometimes at the expense of showing God’s grace and compassion.
In response to the potential spiritual emptiness in her future profession, Abby says, “I want to go into the medical field and spread the light of Christ. I want to minister to my patients not only through physical healing but also through Christ’s healing love.”