Greenville Alumna Moriah Summers Finds Purpose in Ministry and Writing

Published: April 03, 2025

Author: Liz Dowell

Faith has always been central to Moriah Summers's life. But since graduating from Greenville University in 2023, she has immersed herself in ministry in ways she never expected—through hands-on pastoral work and the written word.

Summers, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Worship Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a minor in Jewish-Christian Studies, now serves as an administrator and volunteer pastor at a Free Methodist church near Los Angeles. Her journey to this role began during an internship through Greenville University. After returning to campus to complete her senior year, she felt called to return to the church for another internship. That decision ultimately led to a permanent position.

"Right now, I'm an admin at the church and a volunteer pastor," Summers said. "I'm going through my ordination process, so I'm considered a local ministerial candidate. It keeps me busy, that's for sure."

Summers describes the church as a vibrant, multicultural community in transition. The lead pastors recently moved on to other denominational roles, leaving a pastoral team of six, including Summers, to guide the congregation through a period of change.

"We’ve been taking turns preaching, doing local ministry, and focusing on discipleship," she said. "It's been a huge transition going straight from college into ministry, working anywhere from 20 to 40 hours a week."

Beyond her pastoral duties, Summers has discovered a passion for writing about faith and discipleship. A songwriter first, she and her boyfriend, Daniel—also a Greenville alumnus—co-founded a songwriting group called The Dwelling, dedicated to crafting music with rich theological depth. However, her interest in writing extended beyond music.

"I never considered myself a writer until college," she admitted. "But as I was writing papers and diving deeper into theology, I realized I enjoyed it. Even after graduation, I still wanted to write."

That passion led her to an opportunity with Light & Life, a Free Methodist publication. A mentor and fellow Greenville alumna connected her with the magazine's editor, and before long, Summers was invited to submit an article. She wrote about revival—an increasingly relevant topic within the church—framing it through the lens of what younger generations desire from spiritual renewal.

"I wanted to challenge the church to think differently about revival, to consider what my generation longs for," she said. "I made some bold claims but wanted to do so lovingly and respectfully."

The response to her article exceeded expectations. It was well received and translated into Spanish, allowing Summers to share it with a broader audience, including Daniel’s family in Guatemala.

"I didn’t think anyone beyond my friends and family would read it," she said. "But I’ve received emails and texts from professors and mentors encouraging me. It’s been amazing."

As she continues her work in ministry, Summers remains committed to preaching and writing, using her voice to inspire and challenge others in their faith. Her journey is a testament to how Greenville University alumni are making an impact—whether in the pulpit, on the page, or in the heart of a community needing guidance and hope.