When God Calls…
Although she was the child of a pastor, Anika-kafi Summers initially had no intention of becoming one herself. Her father, a Methodist minister, served in several churches around the state of Ohio while she was growing up. This necessitated many moves from one city to another for their family.
According to Anika, “being a preacher’s kid was not always easy. Meeting a wide set of family and church family expectations, moving to new locations and transitioning during difficult academic years shaped my life.”
When she was in the second grade, her father was assigned to the Clifton Church in Cincinnati. Theirs was the first black family in an all-white congregation. She has good memories of the time spent there: beautiful Tiffany-stained glass windows in the sanctuary, friendly church members and the parsonage so close to the church building she could look out the kitchen window and wave to her dad as he sat in his office.
Anika attended a nearby school and made friends with a girl who lived a block away. It was difficult when they moved to Toledo and from there to Columbus before she could complete her senior year in high school. At that point, she wanted nothing to do with “church.” Too much disruption and disappointment.
After graduation, she had several parttime jobs, then went on to get her Master of Education degree in student personnel and higher education. The country was in the throes of an economic downturn when she finished in the early 90’s. “It would have been a good time to serve, but I resisted.”
Anika then worked for several universities in the Student Services division, ending up at the University of Detroit-mercy and “that is how I got to Michigan!” Eventually the work became unfulfilling, so after getting married and having children, she decided to stay home with them — a big change for her. Although she felt called to serve God, the time just wasn’t right.
As her children grew, she became the director of a Michigan Kitchen Network — finding available kitchens in churches in underserved communities and connecting them with food entrepreneurs who were looking to start small businesses.
“My goal has been to create an environment where underserved communities have opportunities and resources to create their own success.” The most challenging part of that position was helping the “micro” business owners expand into bigger kitchens.
Going through some difficult periods in her life, Anika has found that God was with her through it all. “It was only when I was astute enough to listen quietly that the waters of my life shifted from sandy ground to rock,” she said. And when she heard His call for the third time, she was ready to say “OK!”
When Anika applied for a scholarship to the Methodist Theological School of Ohio, not only was she accepted, but she was also awarded a full scholarship. While currently taking classes in the Master of Divinity program at MTSO, she has moved from the Kitchen Network program to teaching cooking classes to people of all ages and is also the director of nutrition at Detroit’s famous historic Eastern Market.
In addition to school, work and supervising her two children plus a step-daughter who are doing all of their schooling from home, Anika is also serving as an intern at the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham and Berkley.
Her plans after she graduates? “I don’t know where God is going to send me. I want to serve the community and to connect people who have a need. God knows and mentors have discerned my gifts and skills and will put them to good use through ministry.”
Thank you Anika for following His call!
“Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find. The door will be opened to the one who knocks. Suppose your son asks for bread. Which of you will give him a stone? Or suppose he asks for a fish. Which of you will give him a snake? Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! In everything, do to others what you would want them to do to you. This is what is written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:7-12 NIVR)
Judy Lowery is a former resident of Springville and lives in Michigan. The Good News column appears on the Religion pages of the Recorder. You can read more at Judy’s blog, goodnewswithjudy.blogspots.com