About Us
Our Mission
equipping churches for Christ-centered discipleship.measurable results.eternal outcomes.
Our mission is to equip churches for Christ-centered discipleship. We promise that we will equip your church to grow individuals across all stages of their spiritual journey, showing eternal outcomes. By deepening the faith of followers, we help you restore your church to its core purpose. Your results will be measurable and your outcomes lasting.
Rev. Dr. Mike Johnson
President/Founder
Let's start building together
who we are
Our Team
Staff
Board
Coaches
Additional Team
Rhonda Spriggs
Operations Director
As the Operations Director, Rhonda is responsible for developing and delegating administration protocols and procedures, supervising administrative staff and stewarding all back-office operations. She holds a BA and MBA from Houston Christian University (formerly Houston Baptist University).
Rhonda’s background includes over 19 years of experience in database marketing management. She maintained 24/7 database accessibility. Rhonda was also the principle liaison when troubleshooting became necessary. Prior to this, she was both an Account Service Manager and a Processing Manager. She designed and delivered training curriculum that ensured widespread success.
In addition to this experience, she is the Youth Director for 4th Missionary Baptist Church. In her position she is afforded the opportunity to be a counselor, a Bible teacher, mentor, and motivator who supports the spiritual growth and development of children through adolescence to young adulthood.
Context | Belief | Woo | Communication| Developer
Rhonda’s background includes over 19 years of experience in database marketing management. She maintained 24/7 database accessibility. Rhonda was also the principle liaison when troubleshooting became necessary. Prior to this, she was both an Account Service Manager and a Processing Manager. She designed and delivered training curriculum that ensured widespread success.
In addition to this experience, she is the Youth Director for 4th Missionary Baptist Church. In her position she is afforded the opportunity to be a counselor, a Bible teacher, mentor, and motivator who supports the spiritual growth and development of children through adolescence to young adulthood.
Context | Belief | Woo | Communication| Developer
Dr. Michael Johnson
Founder and President
Mike believes he is formed by Christ to form others. He is an ordained Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. In March of 2004, Mike received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary, specializing in adult lay leadership development.
Prior to that, Mike served as resident pastor at New Life Church in Spring, Texas, and then planted and pastored Community Life Church in Missouri City, Texas. During this period, Mike developed and implemented the Texas Leadership Development Network, which was the predecessor to Ascending Leaders. Mike has also helped church leaders refocus and has been involved in the city-reaching efforts of the greater Houston, Texas area.
Mike started Ascending Leaders in 2005 and is the core author of much of Ascending Leaders' material . He has developed coaching skills that have blessed a myriad of churches. He leads this ministry forward.
Mike, his wife, Gina and their children’s families have made the Sugar Land, Texas area their home since 1990. Mike enjoys time together as a family, most recently including doubles PickleBall with his wife.
Belief | Connectedness | Focus | Responsibility | Strategic
Prior to that, Mike served as resident pastor at New Life Church in Spring, Texas, and then planted and pastored Community Life Church in Missouri City, Texas. During this period, Mike developed and implemented the Texas Leadership Development Network, which was the predecessor to Ascending Leaders. Mike has also helped church leaders refocus and has been involved in the city-reaching efforts of the greater Houston, Texas area.
Mike started Ascending Leaders in 2005 and is the core author of much of Ascending Leaders' material . He has developed coaching skills that have blessed a myriad of churches. He leads this ministry forward.
Mike, his wife, Gina and their children’s families have made the Sugar Land, Texas area their home since 1990. Mike enjoys time together as a family, most recently including doubles PickleBall with his wife.
Belief | Connectedness | Focus | Responsibility | Strategic
Teri Watson
Accounts Assistant
As Accounts Assistant, Teri enjoys working behind the scenes to help Ascending Leaders run smoothly and efficiently. Numbers and spreadsheets and invoices – oh my! She has the unique
privilege of connecting directly with the donors, churches, & vendors who support the work and mission of AL. Teri takes pride in serving the Ascending Leaders community by ensuring we are
good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. She has recently added graphic design to her list of learned skills and enjoys exploring her creative side through helping with email and print communications.
By trade, Teri was a teacher for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. In the year 2000, she was blessed to be able to transition to the role of Mom and stay home with her 3 kiddos for 10 years before beginning her work at Ascending Leaders. Entering the Christian non-profit world has been an unexpected but welcome opportunity.
Teri holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders and a Master of Arts, both from The University of Texas at Austin. She and her husband, Matt, live in Sugar Land, TX and enjoy traveling with their kids, spending time with their family, and eating great food!
Achiever | Consistency | Developer | Discipline | Harmony
By trade, Teri was a teacher for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. In the year 2000, she was blessed to be able to transition to the role of Mom and stay home with her 3 kiddos for 10 years before beginning her work at Ascending Leaders. Entering the Christian non-profit world has been an unexpected but welcome opportunity.
Teri holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders and a Master of Arts, both from The University of Texas at Austin. She and her husband, Matt, live in Sugar Land, TX and enjoy traveling with their kids, spending time with their family, and eating great food!
Achiever | Consistency | Developer | Discipline | Harmony
Ellie Tow
Special Projects
As “Special Projects,” Ellie maintains the Salesforce applications, creates mailing lists, does minor video editing and other special projects. After working in both healthcare and industry, she entered the Christian non-profit sector in 2005, when she began work at Bible in 90 Days. There, she created Access databases and learned Salesforce as she provided administrative support where needed. When Bible in 90 Days moved to North Carolina, the Lord opened a position at Ascending Leaders in 2015. There, she maintained the existing Access databases and assisted in the eventual transition to Salesforce.
Ellie has worked in hospitals, the public schools, and as a programmer and systems analyst at Standard Oil of California (Chevron). She was a stay-at-home mom for 8 years before re-entering the workforce.
Ellie holds a BS in Mathematics and an MA in a health care field, both from Stanford University. She is happily married to Fred (over 40 years!) and is the proud mother of 2 children and doting grandmother to 5. Ellie enjoys quilting in her spare time.
Belief | Empathy | Harmony | Maximizer | Responsibility
Ellie has worked in hospitals, the public schools, and as a programmer and systems analyst at Standard Oil of California (Chevron). She was a stay-at-home mom for 8 years before re-entering the workforce.
Ellie holds a BS in Mathematics and an MA in a health care field, both from Stanford University. She is happily married to Fred (over 40 years!) and is the proud mother of 2 children and doting grandmother to 5. Ellie enjoys quilting in her spare time.
Belief | Empathy | Harmony | Maximizer | Responsibility
Ann Pang
DiscipleOn Coordinator and President's Assistant
Ann, the President's Assistant at AL, helps Mike carry out the mission and vision of the organization. This includes coordinating his coaching plans along with creating sales budgets, preparing contracts, reporting on grant usage, processing timesheets and administering Co-lab events. The best part about what she does is getting to see how the upfront planning and logistics leads to churches thriving in the community once they begin understanding and integrating AL’s discipleship concepts.
Prior to joining Ascending Leaders in 2019, Ann was a stay-at-home mom for eight years. Before her first child was born in 2011, she was a finance manager at ExpressJet Airlines. Her responsibilities were in forecasting and budgeting for the pilot and flight attendant groups. Ann holds a BBA in Accounting and a BA in English from The University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Yale University.
Ann and her husband, Kin, have been married for 15 years, but they have known each other since they were eight years old! In her spare time, Ann enjoys gardening and watching youtube videos about successful gardening methods.
Context | Harmony | Restorative | Empathy | Deliberative
Prior to joining Ascending Leaders in 2019, Ann was a stay-at-home mom for eight years. Before her first child was born in 2011, she was a finance manager at ExpressJet Airlines. Her responsibilities were in forecasting and budgeting for the pilot and flight attendant groups. Ann holds a BBA in Accounting and a BA in English from The University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from Yale University.
Ann and her husband, Kin, have been married for 15 years, but they have known each other since they were eight years old! In her spare time, Ann enjoys gardening and watching youtube videos about successful gardening methods.
Context | Harmony | Restorative | Empathy | Deliberative
Ben Compton
Church Liaison
As Church Liaison, Ben maintains strong relationships with AL's partner churches and connects with new congregations who can benefit from AL's valuable services.
Ben draws on seven years of experience in customer service and fourteen years in paid ministry. His recent background includes an 11-month stint as Interim Pastor at New Life CRC, giving him fresh insights into the challenges churches face today.
In addition to his work with AL, Ben serves as both an elder and the apologetics and discipleship pastor at Providence Community Church.
Ben is passionate about Jesus, theology, communication, answering life's big questions, Christian Worldview, Discipleship, and bringing others into mutually beneficial relationships. His favorite passage of scripture is Philippians chapter 3.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics, both from Houston Christian University. He and his lovely bride, Samantha, live in Spring, TX and enjoy spending time with their daughters, hosting friends for dinner, and eating great food!
Belief I Intellection I Learner I Responsibility I Connectedness
Ben draws on seven years of experience in customer service and fourteen years in paid ministry. His recent background includes an 11-month stint as Interim Pastor at New Life CRC, giving him fresh insights into the challenges churches face today.
In addition to his work with AL, Ben serves as both an elder and the apologetics and discipleship pastor at Providence Community Church.
Ben is passionate about Jesus, theology, communication, answering life's big questions, Christian Worldview, Discipleship, and bringing others into mutually beneficial relationships. His favorite passage of scripture is Philippians chapter 3.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics, both from Houston Christian University. He and his lovely bride, Samantha, live in Spring, TX and enjoy spending time with their daughters, hosting friends for dinner, and eating great food!
Belief I Intellection I Learner I Responsibility I Connectedness
Rev. Dr. Mike Johnson
Sugar Land, TX
Mike believes he is formed by Christ to form others. He is an ordained Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. In March of 2004, Mike received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary, specializing in adult lay leadership development.
Prior to that, Mike served as resident pastor at New Life Church in Spring, Texas, and then planted and pastored Community Life Church in Missouri City, Texas. During this period, Mike developed and implemented the Texas Leadership Development Network, which was the predecessor to Ascending Leaders. Mike has also helped church leaders refocus and has been involved in the city-reaching efforts of the greater Houston, Texas area.
Mike started Ascending Leaders in 2005 and is the core author of much of Ascending Leaders' material . He has developed coaching skills that have blessed a myriad of churches. He leads this ministry forward.
Mike, his wife, Gina and their children’s families have made the Sugar Land, Texas area their home since 1990. Mike enjoys time together as a family, most recently including doubles PickleBall with his wife.
Prior to that, Mike served as resident pastor at New Life Church in Spring, Texas, and then planted and pastored Community Life Church in Missouri City, Texas. During this period, Mike developed and implemented the Texas Leadership Development Network, which was the predecessor to Ascending Leaders. Mike has also helped church leaders refocus and has been involved in the city-reaching efforts of the greater Houston, Texas area.
Mike started Ascending Leaders in 2005 and is the core author of much of Ascending Leaders' material . He has developed coaching skills that have blessed a myriad of churches. He leads this ministry forward.
Mike, his wife, Gina and their children’s families have made the Sugar Land, Texas area their home since 1990. Mike enjoys time together as a family, most recently including doubles PickleBall with his wife.
Ms. Teresa Rossy
Houston, TX
Since 2008, Teresa has directed Adult Christian Education at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, a 7,000-member church with six worship communities on three campuses in Houston. As Director of Grow Ministries, she collaborates with lay leaders, ministry staff, and clergy to provide a discipleship pathway that leads to mature Christian faith. Her passion is seeing persons grow more in love with Jesus Christ in a way that makes a difference in their relationships with God, self, others, and the created world. Her role in that work is teaching Scriptural principles and modeling spiritual disciplines and equipping leaders to do the same. Strategies include leadership training, starting small groups, writing and adapting curriculum, teaching spiritual formation and Bible studies, and caring for leaders and members.
She is active in various professional organizations, including being Chair of Professional Certification, Board of Ordained Ministry, Texas Annual Conference, 2016 – present and Director of Christian Education and Children’s Ministry Professional Certification courses, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 2018 – present.
She has been married since 1982 to Ken Rossy. They have two children and two grandchildren. They love babysitting their grandchildren as often as possible, their book clubs, and walking together. They also enjoy travelling in the U.S. and internationally and gathering with friends. They are both active in Chapelwood UMC as members and leaders.
She is active in various professional organizations, including being Chair of Professional Certification, Board of Ordained Ministry, Texas Annual Conference, 2016 – present and Director of Christian Education and Children’s Ministry Professional Certification courses, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 2018 – present.
She has been married since 1982 to Ken Rossy. They have two children and two grandchildren. They love babysitting their grandchildren as often as possible, their book clubs, and walking together. They also enjoy travelling in the U.S. and internationally and gathering with friends. They are both active in Chapelwood UMC as members and leaders.
Dr. Tyler Greenway
Wayland, MI
Tyler Greenway serves as the Research Director at the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and supports various research activities including literature review, grant writing, study design, data collection and management, statistical analysis, and presenting and publishing results. He started working with Ascending Leaders in 2021 and is passionate about discipleship and faith formation.
He holds an MDiv from Calvin Theological Seminary and an MA and PhD in Psychological Science from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also an ordained Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
He has been married to his wife, Johanna, for 10 years and they have three children. They live in West Michigan and actively serve at their church, The Caledonia Gathering.
He holds an MDiv from Calvin Theological Seminary and an MA and PhD in Psychological Science from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also an ordained Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America.
He has been married to his wife, Johanna, for 10 years and they have three children. They live in West Michigan and actively serve at their church, The Caledonia Gathering.
Dr. Judy Enns
Solana Beach, CA
Judy’s professional career has been focused on Human Resources. She established a successful HR staffing and consulting firm which conducts business nationally. She has been influential in enhancing the role of HR in companies of all sizes. She is currently using her professional skills to serve various non-profit organizations in capacities such as board chair, board member and various committees.
She has a doctorate in Communication Theory and Research from Ohio State University and has taught Communications at Illinois State University, California State University Los Angeles, to name a few. She has also served as director of the Women’s English Language Center, King Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
She is an active member of Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, as an active elder, chair of Nominating committee, and a 30-year choir member. She was on the board when her church contracted with Ascending Leaders in 2018 to coach them through the REVEAL discipleship assessment and applying its results, and she was part of the REVEAL task force. The church is showing some dramatic improvement in their discipleship, so she has experienced first-hand the impact of Ascending Leaders.
She and her husband, Robert, enjoy singing in the choir, hiking, theater, camping, good movies, reading and world-wide travel, especially to tropical climates and warm waters.
She has a doctorate in Communication Theory and Research from Ohio State University and has taught Communications at Illinois State University, California State University Los Angeles, to name a few. She has also served as director of the Women’s English Language Center, King Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
She is an active member of Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, as an active elder, chair of Nominating committee, and a 30-year choir member. She was on the board when her church contracted with Ascending Leaders in 2018 to coach them through the REVEAL discipleship assessment and applying its results, and she was part of the REVEAL task force. The church is showing some dramatic improvement in their discipleship, so she has experienced first-hand the impact of Ascending Leaders.
She and her husband, Robert, enjoy singing in the choir, hiking, theater, camping, good movies, reading and world-wide travel, especially to tropical climates and warm waters.
Dr. Stephen K. Wilke
Winfield, KS
Steve came to Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, on October 1, 1991, and since 2004 has served as the Executive Director of the Richard and Julie Wilke Institute for Discipleship. Prior to coming to Southwestern College, Dr. Wilke worked as a licensed psychologist on the staff of Prairie View Psychiatric Hospital. In 1987, he became the founding president of Recovery of Hope Network, Inc., and stayed in that position until 1991. The Recovery of Hope Network helped local organizations establish programs in the community for troubled marriages.
Dr. Wilke received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in Fresno, California, in 1982. In his doctoral research, he studied the role of the church and clergy as agents of community mental health. Dr. Wilke has served on the staff and board at the Counseling and Mediation Center in Wichita, Kansas, and has provided American Association of Pastoral Counseling (AAPC) training to pastors. Dr. Wilke has also coauthored a set of five marital books.
Steve was reared in Kansas in a United Methodist clergy family and completed his undergraduate work at Southwestern College. Dr. Wilke began his work at Southwestern College in 1991 as the Dean of Students. He then transitioned into the VP of Student Development and Enrollment Management. His next transition was to VP of Enrollment Management and Planning. Later he functioned at the college’s VP of Strategic Planning and New Programs. In his work with new programs, the Institute launched under his direction. In July of 2017 Dr. Wilke transitioned off the administrative leadership of the college and went full time as the Executive Director of the Institute. In 2010 Dr. Wilke was nominated as United Methodist of the Year by the United Methodist Reporter for the development of BeADisciple.com, a program for on-line workshops and classes to nurture Christian leaders.
He and his wife, Beth, have four children. Beth served as the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Winfield for over twenty years.
Dr. Wilke received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in Fresno, California, in 1982. In his doctoral research, he studied the role of the church and clergy as agents of community mental health. Dr. Wilke has served on the staff and board at the Counseling and Mediation Center in Wichita, Kansas, and has provided American Association of Pastoral Counseling (AAPC) training to pastors. Dr. Wilke has also coauthored a set of five marital books.
Steve was reared in Kansas in a United Methodist clergy family and completed his undergraduate work at Southwestern College. Dr. Wilke began his work at Southwestern College in 1991 as the Dean of Students. He then transitioned into the VP of Student Development and Enrollment Management. His next transition was to VP of Enrollment Management and Planning. Later he functioned at the college’s VP of Strategic Planning and New Programs. In his work with new programs, the Institute launched under his direction. In July of 2017 Dr. Wilke transitioned off the administrative leadership of the college and went full time as the Executive Director of the Institute. In 2010 Dr. Wilke was nominated as United Methodist of the Year by the United Methodist Reporter for the development of BeADisciple.com, a program for on-line workshops and classes to nurture Christian leaders.
He and his wife, Beth, have four children. Beth served as the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Winfield for over twenty years.
Kevin Stephney
Sugar Land, Texas
Kevin’s life’s work is to help fulfill the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations. He grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Oklahoma State University where he received a degree in Engineering. He enjoyed a long career with ExxonMobil spanning more than thirty years where he served in a number of technical, corporate planning, and leadership roles. He worked in and led international and culturally diverse teams which included work in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Kevin also holds a master’s degree in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. He has served in church leadership as an elder as well as a member of the pastoral staff. Kevin is also committed to college ministry having served as a board member and regional director for Campus Outreach Houston which has ministries on four college campuses in Houston and in East Texas. Kevin enjoys helping multi-cultural teams succeed. Kevin also serves on the planting advisory team for Christ Our Refuge Church, a multiethnic church plant focused on ministry to refugees in the Sharpstown area of Houston. He is also spends time in a bible teaching ministry at a local prison. Kevin resides in Sugar Land, Texas with his wife of 41 years, Tangye. He has three adult children and three grandchildren.
Bryan Bandstra
Pella, IA
Bryan believes God has placed him on earth to love people. He was born and raised in rural Iowa. A graduate of Dordt University, he has been involved in agriculture his whole life.
He has recently completed a 35-year employment with Key Cooperative. There he had opportunities to be a commodity broker, IT leader, develop the HR
team, and further develop risk management for the company.
Bryan has been married to his wife Becky for 42 years and they have 3 adult children who are married and 8 grandchildren.
Bryan has a passion for seeing people change whether they are struggling as Christians or have never accepted Jesus Christ.
He has had opportunities to do prison ministry, Celebrate Recovery ministry, and has had his license to exhort in the Christian Reformed Church and has
filled pulpits for nearly 30 years. It is so much fun to see God work, when you help to create an environment of love, safety, acceptance. He uses it to change people’s hearts.
Bob Johnson
Houston, TX
Achiever | Connectedness | Learner | Context | Analytical
Bob retired in 2019 after 30 years of full-time ministry. After serving as either solo pastor or lead pastor for several churches, the last 15 years of his ministry were as the executive pastor at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston.
In his retirement, beside coaching for Ascending Leaders, he has written fifteen books on discipleship and Bible study, including, “The Genesis Project: The WHY of Discipleship.”
He believes that disciples are the means God has chosen to implement His will of ONENESS through four key relationships in a broken world, a will first revealed in the beginning of Genesis. So for him, disciple formation and working with Ascending Leaders goes right to the heart of God.
Bob retired in 2019 after 30 years of full-time ministry. After serving as either solo pastor or lead pastor for several churches, the last 15 years of his ministry were as the executive pastor at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston.
In his retirement, beside coaching for Ascending Leaders, he has written fifteen books on discipleship and Bible study, including, “The Genesis Project: The WHY of Discipleship.”
He believes that disciples are the means God has chosen to implement His will of ONENESS through four key relationships in a broken world, a will first revealed in the beginning of Genesis. So for him, disciple formation and working with Ascending Leaders goes right to the heart of God.
International Coach
Achiever | Belief | Responsibility | Maximizer | Strategic
As a follower of Jesus and a strategic thinker, I get pretty cranked up about the work of helping the Church thrive and flourish in making disciples. It isn’t just about my specific church. It’s about following Jesus together as the Body of Christ in obeying His great commission. There is no greater cause than that.
As a follower of Jesus and a strategic thinker, I get pretty cranked up about the work of helping the Church thrive and flourish in making disciples. It isn’t just about my specific church. It’s about following Jesus together as the Body of Christ in obeying His great commission. There is no greater cause than that.
Peter Cammarano
League City, TX
Activator | Relator | Communication | Connectedness | Futuristic
Peter has always seen pastoral ministry as coaching. He often says, "I don't want to be the sage on the stage, I'd rather be the guide alongside." Peter grew up in one of the largest evangelical Methodist churches, attended seminary at Duke University and completed a doctorate at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Prior to seminary, Peter worked at various Texas churches doing youth ministry - Atascocita UMC, FUMC - Conroe, and Perritte Memorial UMC in Nacogdoches. Peter felt his first call to ordained ministry at a summer sleep away camp where he first heard God call him to preach the gospel and to care for the least, the last and the lost.
For the last 25 years Peter has served the United Methodist Church in the Texas area as a lead pastor, including: Bellaire UMC, First UMC - Brazoria (Associate), First UMC - Port Neches (Lead), Chapelwood UMC - Lake Jackson (Lead) and currently League City UMC (Lead). Peter's faith and ministry is marked by a welcoming, open spirit that seeks to see people move closer to the heart of God.
Peter feels strongly that faith is always preceded by doubt and a time of searching for answers, and that faith requires sacrifices, both emotional and social.
Peter has always seen pastoral ministry as coaching. He often says, "I don't want to be the sage on the stage, I'd rather be the guide alongside." Peter grew up in one of the largest evangelical Methodist churches, attended seminary at Duke University and completed a doctorate at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
Prior to seminary, Peter worked at various Texas churches doing youth ministry - Atascocita UMC, FUMC - Conroe, and Perritte Memorial UMC in Nacogdoches. Peter felt his first call to ordained ministry at a summer sleep away camp where he first heard God call him to preach the gospel and to care for the least, the last and the lost.
For the last 25 years Peter has served the United Methodist Church in the Texas area as a lead pastor, including: Bellaire UMC, First UMC - Brazoria (Associate), First UMC - Port Neches (Lead), Chapelwood UMC - Lake Jackson (Lead) and currently League City UMC (Lead). Peter's faith and ministry is marked by a welcoming, open spirit that seeks to see people move closer to the heart of God.
Peter feels strongly that faith is always preceded by doubt and a time of searching for answers, and that faith requires sacrifices, both emotional and social.
Matt McClure
Alameda, CA
Connectedness | Input | Developer | Belief | Responsibility
God is awe inspiring. Through discipleship coaching, Matt has had the privilege of walking alongside pastors and lay leaders; pointing to Christ and being amazed by His glory.
He has been a pastor for 13 years in the local church ministry, living and doing life with congregation members and residences. Seeing an individual blossom as a disciple of Jesus is truly inspiring and stokes the fire to serve and glorify Jesus.
This last year, he had an opportunity to teach an introduction to the New Testament class at a local college. "It was so exciting to hear from the students about their experience reading scripture and letting it speak to them".
God is doing great things for His people and he has been so honored to be a part of His story.
God is awe inspiring. Through discipleship coaching, Matt has had the privilege of walking alongside pastors and lay leaders; pointing to Christ and being amazed by His glory.
He has been a pastor for 13 years in the local church ministry, living and doing life with congregation members and residences. Seeing an individual blossom as a disciple of Jesus is truly inspiring and stokes the fire to serve and glorify Jesus.
This last year, he had an opportunity to teach an introduction to the New Testament class at a local college. "It was so exciting to hear from the students about their experience reading scripture and letting it speak to them".
God is doing great things for His people and he has been so honored to be a part of His story.
Harry Vein
Spring, TX
Belief | Communicator| Connectedness | Futuristic | Relator
Harry retired in 2022 from serving churches throughout the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for the past 40 years. He served churches in Houston (Chapelwood - my home church), Cleveland (FUMC), Brenham (FUMC), Cypress UMC and Spring Faith UMC.
Throughout his ministry, Harry loved leading people into an intimate relationship with Christ that would lead their faith to come alive. In planning for life in retirement, Harry was trained through Coach Training For Leaders in order to empower pastors, leaders and churches to be all that God created them to be. His passion in ministry is to see lives and churches transformed as people fall in love with Christ and one another.
Harry retired in 2022 from serving churches throughout the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for the past 40 years. He served churches in Houston (Chapelwood - my home church), Cleveland (FUMC), Brenham (FUMC), Cypress UMC and Spring Faith UMC.
Throughout his ministry, Harry loved leading people into an intimate relationship with Christ that would lead their faith to come alive. In planning for life in retirement, Harry was trained through Coach Training For Leaders in order to empower pastors, leaders and churches to be all that God created them to be. His passion in ministry is to see lives and churches transformed as people fall in love with Christ and one another.
Mike Johnson
Sugar Land, TX
Belief | Connectedness | Focus | Responsibility | Strategic
Mike believes he is formed by Christ to form others. He is an ordained Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. In March of 2004, Mike received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary, specializing in adult lay leadership development.
Prior to that, Mike served as resident pastor at New Life Church in Spring, Texas, and then planted and pastored Community Life Church in Missouri City, Texas. During this period, Mike developed and implemented the Texas Leadership Development Network, which was the predecessor to Ascending Leaders. Mike has also helped church leaders refocus and has been involved in the city-reaching efforts of the greater Houston, Texas area.
Mike started Ascending Leaders in 2005 and is the core author of much of Ascending Leaders' material . He has developed coaching skills that have blessed a myriad of churches. He leads this ministry forward.
Mike, his wife, Gina and their children’s families have made the Sugar Land, Texas area their home since 1990. Mike enjoys time together as a family, most recently including doubles PickleBall with his wife.
Mike believes he is formed by Christ to form others. He is an ordained Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. In March of 2004, Mike received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary, specializing in adult lay leadership development.
Prior to that, Mike served as resident pastor at New Life Church in Spring, Texas, and then planted and pastored Community Life Church in Missouri City, Texas. During this period, Mike developed and implemented the Texas Leadership Development Network, which was the predecessor to Ascending Leaders. Mike has also helped church leaders refocus and has been involved in the city-reaching efforts of the greater Houston, Texas area.
Mike started Ascending Leaders in 2005 and is the core author of much of Ascending Leaders' material . He has developed coaching skills that have blessed a myriad of churches. He leads this ministry forward.
Mike, his wife, Gina and their children’s families have made the Sugar Land, Texas area their home since 1990. Mike enjoys time together as a family, most recently including doubles PickleBall with his wife.
Aaron Hansz
Huntsville, TX
Activator | Connectedness | Empathy | Positivity | Restorative
Aaron is a disciple-making disciple of Jesus, a husband, a father, and a community leader. He and his wife Stephanie live in Huntsville, TX with their 10-year-old twins and two teenagers. They also have a married daughter who resides in the Dallas area. Not to mention Mick, the 105 pound lab!
For almost 30 years, Aaron has helped entrepreneurs, corporate executives, retirees and their families, churches, and individuals work towards having a relationship with Christ while living a full life. Aaron is a certified coach and an ordained ECO Presbyterian Pastor. He has a Bachelor of Science in Management from Johnson and Wales University, a Master of Business Administration in Leadership from Concordia University, and is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
With his business life experience, Aaron has joined Ascending Leaders to help churches grow their discipleship programs, creating more disciples of Jesus. He has a unique history that offers others support and empathy as they grow their relationship with Jesus.
Aaron is a disciple-making disciple of Jesus, a husband, a father, and a community leader. He and his wife Stephanie live in Huntsville, TX with their 10-year-old twins and two teenagers. They also have a married daughter who resides in the Dallas area. Not to mention Mick, the 105 pound lab!
For almost 30 years, Aaron has helped entrepreneurs, corporate executives, retirees and their families, churches, and individuals work towards having a relationship with Christ while living a full life. Aaron is a certified coach and an ordained ECO Presbyterian Pastor. He has a Bachelor of Science in Management from Johnson and Wales University, a Master of Business Administration in Leadership from Concordia University, and is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
With his business life experience, Aaron has joined Ascending Leaders to help churches grow their discipleship programs, creating more disciples of Jesus. He has a unique history that offers others support and empathy as they grow their relationship with Jesus.
Sunny Hyun
Graphic Designer
Rochester Hills, MI
Achiever | Developer | Empathy | Positivity | Strategic
It is an honor for me to do God's work with my friends who love God. I want the kingdom of God to expand through our efforts.
Achiever | Developer | Empathy | Positivity | Strategic
It is an honor for me to do God's work with my friends who love God. I want the kingdom of God to expand through our efforts.
Our
History
