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
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
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
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
Our
History
