By Donna Fagerstrom

Bruce and Kym Sumner serve the Converge Southwest region, which includes southern California, Arizona and portions of Texas. Its missionally minded leaders and churches unite to advance Christ’s mission locally, regionally and globally. At the region’s March 2011 biennial meeting in Phoenix, Bruce was extended another four-year term as executive minister.

Kym accepted Christ as her personal Savior at age 13. She comments, “I was invited to attend the local Baptist church by my friends from school. I joined the Junior Choir and soon began going to church on a regular basis. After some time I attended church camp and eventually accepted Christ as Lord of my life and my personal Savior.”

Bruce came to know the Lord at age 21 in Anchorage, Alaska. Kym’s twin brothers came to Anchorage for a three-week visit that resulted in their staying three months. The two siblings lived with the Sumners in their 624-square-foot house during the fall. What had been a colorful autumn eventually gave way to a harsh January, with temperatures of -20 degrees. Kym’s brothers took the opportunity of a captive audience to share Christ with Bruce. Bruce said, “Despite the frigid temperature outside, inside our home, and inside of my heart, the temperature rose to 1000 degrees. The Spirit had moved into our home as well.” Five people living in a 624-square-foot house -- with a spiritual bombardment -- created a very crowded, confined experience. Finally, after weeks of discussions, everyone agreed to start attending church. One Sunday morning, as with Lydia in Acts, the Lord opened Bruce’s heart. He states, “I was lovingly compelled to respond to Jesus’ offer of grace, love and forgiveness.”

High-impact couple

Kym has developed GraceNet, a ministry of caring and support to ministry wives in the Southwest Region. The ministry touches every aspect of life and ministry, while providing women with a safe environment in which they can fully express their needs, concerns and feelings without judgment or opinions. Kym writes, “Our GraceNet groups have bonded us together not only as ministry spouses but as lifelong ministry partners.”

Bruce serves as an executive minister, which means he incorporates the roles of pastor, teacher, leader, giver and exhorter. He is committed to the growth, integration and blending of missionally minded leaders and churches to advance Christ’s mission. In Bruce’s words, “When leaders develop, new churches are started and faithful churches are strengthened.” Bruce serves others to enhance the spiritual lives of key spiritual leaders, inviting them to experience a greater intimacy with Jesus. When asked the question, “What passion wakes you every morning to serve Jesus more effectively?” he responded, “Fostering stronger and healthier churches that embrace a genuine kingdom view of accomplishing Christ’s commission. I become passionate about leaders who are committed to personal spiritual growth, advancing the kingdom of Jesus and genuinely committed to one another.”

How they met

Bruce and Kym met at their junior high school in Downey, Calif. Bruce immediately noticed and liked Kym; it took Kym some time to warm up to the same idea. During a homecoming dinner event at the top of the Occidental Tower in Los Angeles, Bruce and Kym finally hit it off, talking for hours. The only problem was that Kym was at the dinner with the star football player and Bruce had another date. The rest is history, and 36 years of memorable moments. They were married December 4, 1976.

Their favorite memory is of outdoor adventures while living in Alaska during their first years of marriage. Hiking, backpacking and fishing in isolated wilderness areas near the Russian River appear in their cherished photo album. The new pictures in the album are marked by travels around the globe. Their greatest memories, however, are the births of their two sons, Justin and Joel. With the addition of daughters-in-law Sara and Angela, the photo album has expanded with anniversaries and now the best of all memories: grandchildren Ava and Noah. Alaska? That is history. Ava and Noah? “They are the rest of our lives, and we all live in San Diego!”

Inspiration and prayer needs

Kym and Bruce listed the following passages from the Bible as some of the most meaningful ministry texts and personal verses that guide their lives:

Kym – ministry: 1 Timothy 4:10; personal: Colossians 1:13-20

Bruce – ministry: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13; personal: 1 Timothy 4:14-16

The Sumners recommend the following books:

• Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster
• Handbook on Prayer, by Kenneth Boa
• Church Unique, by Will Mancini
• Simple Church, by Thom Rainer
• Leading Congregational Change, by Jim Herrington
• How Full Is Your Bucket, by Tom Rath, Donald D. Cliffton
• The Christian Life Profile, by Randy Frazee
• A Work of Heart, by Reggie McNeal
• Practicing Greatness, by Reggie McNeal

Bruce and Kym share the following prayer request: For wisdom to handle various situations in ministry and in life, and for clarity of the Lord’s vision for Converge Southwest in the future. 

Bruce also asked for prayer for:

• Ongoing personal spiritual growth and intimacy with Jesus.
• Maintain physical health by consistently working out, exercise.
• That the Lord will allow a couple of churches that need to close to see the blessedness of “sowing a heritage” and thus provide the foundation for several new works to begin.
• Preserve appropriate “together” time with Kym.

The fun stuff

On the lighter side of life, Bruce and Kym enjoy sailing on San Diego Bay, walking on the beach, eating out and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Bruce enjoys a game of golf, a good movie, travel and “anything Apple.” Kym loves to read, take outdoor walks, shop with friends and a fun game of Angry Birds. In addition, she is an avid artist and professional cake decorator. Their music of choice dates back to the ‘60s –‘70s Easy Rock, Christian Praise, Pop and some Country.

Kym and Bruce responded as follows when asked the question, “Who has most influenced your life?”

Kym: “Pastor Harold Adams. Under his teaching and council I came to know the Lord at the age of 13.” Bruce: “My father. The following quote conveys a sense of his influence. ‘In life you will hear people say, “Think outside the box.” But I tell you that’s not possible. The problem is, they’re already in the box, and their frame of reference is the box. No, get out of the box, and think.’ Dad challenged me to look for solutions, not just at the obstacles.”

Donna Fagerstrom is a staff writer