History

George Neau, the founder of SUM, became a troubled teen after his father committed suicide and died in his arms. From there George started running the streets and ended up becoming a professional rock musician. After developing a stomach virus, the doctors advised him to take a break from the rock band, during which time he began studying at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He met a young man from New York who began to share with him the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Not only did George surrender his life to the Lord, God miraculously healed him physically.

In 1987, George pioneered an inner city church in a poor area of Baton Rouge, where he realized the future urban leaders had the vision and abilities to transform their neighborhoods. However, the needed training that a Bible College afforded an individual was out of reach because many students had a poor educational background, often lacking a high school degree, and had little or no money for tuition and housing.

George's dream of building an urban Bible College for poor urban students would be realized by acquiring depressed land and inner city buildings transforming them into first class facilities with donated materials and volunteer labor whenever possible. By combining classrooms and administration facilities with dormitories, costs could be kept to a minimum. In order to hold down operating costs, students would be expected to maintain the facilities on a volunteer basis. SUM would utilize adjunct faculty and staff from local churches to minimize payroll expenses. With this plan, full tuition and housing could be $300 per month, making theological education accessible for even poor students, and allows them to graduate debt free.

In 1993, SUM purchased a three-story 17,000 sq. ft. building near downtown New Orleans. The renovation of the building into classrooms, library, an administration facility, and dormitory was completed in 1995 for a total cost of $0.5 million. The School has an enrollment of 45 students, 14 faculty and staff members, and 55 graduates. The operating budget is $500,000 annually. The School has Candidate Status with the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (A.A.B.C.) and offers an Associate of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies.

In 1999 after being led to start a second campus in Oakland, George received a call concerning a church property that was being repossessed. SUM was successful in purchasing a four and one-half acre site with two warehouse buildings totaling 35,000 sq. ft. and an adjoining seven two-bedroom apartment complex for $940,000. With the completion of the 15,000 sq. ft. building in August of 2001, SUM has a 300 student-classroom capacity in its educational facility.

In August of 2002, the dormitory section of the 20,000 sq. ft. Administration facility was completed for both men and women. In September of 2003, the construction of the new offices, bookstore and chapel section was completed.