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Lost people saved, saved people matured, and mature people multiplied to the glory of God.

Our Distinctives

These seven distinctives are the foundation of everything we do at Ascend Church.

Scripture

We uphold the absolute authority of scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Preaching

We preach expositionally with application. (Ezra 7:10; 2 Timothy 4:2)

Discipleship

We disciple through Soul Care and small groups. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Elder Led

We are elder led with active deacon ministry of service. (1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13)

Worship

We intentionally worship vertically. (John 4:23-24)

Prayer

We practice fervent prayer. (Ephesians 6:18) 

Church Planting

We expand gospel reach through church planting. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Scripture

We uphold the absolute authority of scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Preaching

We preach expositionally with application. (Ezra 7:10; 2 Timothy 4:2)

Discipleship

We disciple through Soul Care and small groups. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Elder Led

We are elder led with active deacon ministry of service. (1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12-13)

Worship

We intentionally worship vertically. (John 4:23-24)

Prayer

We practice fervent prayer. (Ephesians 6:18)

Church Planting

We expand gospel reach through church planting. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Our History

September 2010: Harvest Bible Chapel holds its first official launch service, merging with the Berean Bible Church. 

February 2017: The church sells the old building and begins the Forward Together campaign to raise funds for a new building. 

March 2019: After prayer and discussion, Harvest Bible Chapel officially changes our name to Ascend Church. 

December 2019: We launched services at our new building, located at 159th and Ridgeview. 

Our Doctrine

We believe that the doctrine of a church helps you rightly define and understand God’s Word so you can properly apply it to your life. Discover what we believe and how it drives what we do at Ascend.

GOD

We teach that there is only one true God (John 17:3), the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). He created all things (Revelation 4:11) and upholds all things by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). He is a God of truth and without iniquity, He is just and right (Deuteronomy 32:4) and He shall judge the world (Psalm 9:8).

We teach that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes and perfections, and are worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence and obedience (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; John 1:1-4; Acts 4:3-4).

JESUS CHRIST

We teach the total deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. We teach that He is the manifestation of God in the flesh. We teach that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We teach that He is truly God and truly man (John 1:1, 1:14, 1:18; John 14:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:16).

SCRIPTURES

We teach that the Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament are verbally inspired by God and inerrant in their original writings. We teach that the 66 books of the Old Testament and the New Testament are God’s complete and sufficient revelation and therefore carry God’s authority for the total well-being of mankind (Psalm 119:97-104 Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:18; John 5:46-47; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:15-16).

HOLY SPIRIT

We teach the total deity of the Holy Spirit and that His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit regenerates the sinner (Titus 3:5), baptizing the believer into one body of which Christ is the head (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:23). The Holy Spirit indwells, guides, instructs, fills, comforts and empowers the believer for godly living (John 14:26; John 16:13; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of God’s righteousness and of coming judgment (John 16:8-11).

We teach that the Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts to the church. The Holy Spirit glorifies neither Himself nor His gifts by pretentious displays, but He does glorify Christ by implementing His work of redeeming the lost and building up believers in the most holy faith (John 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

MAN

We teach that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker but, by voluntarily sinning, fell from his innocent state. Consequently, all mankind is sinful. All people are sinners not only by inheritance, but by their own choice and, therefore, are under just condemnation without defense or excuse. We teach that without exception every man and every woman is totally depraved (incapable of saving himself or seeking God) and needs a Savior (Genesis 3:1-6; Romans 1:18; Romans 1:32; Romans 3:10-19; Romans 5:1-2).

SALVATION

We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice. We teach that each person who repents of his sins (Matthew 3:2; Acts 3:19) and by faith receives Him as Lord and Savior (Matthew 16:24; Ephesians 2:8-9) is justified on the basis of Jesus Christ’s shed blood on the cross (Romans 3:24). Each person who receives Christ as Savior and Lord is born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby becomes eternally secure as a child of God. We teach that the Holy Spirit baptizes each believing person into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation and that there is no second baptism of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:37-39; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

POSITIONAL SANCTIFICATION

We teach that those who have been justified are also sanctified (set apart) to God and are, therefore, declared to be holy and identified as saints. This refers to the believer’s positional sanctification and should not be confused with progressive sanctification, which involves the believer’s daily walk and spiritual growth. (Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 1:2).

PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION

We teach that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the justified believer lives a life of progressive sanctification – the ongoing transformation of increasing holiness, becoming more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ. This occurs through the believer’s obedience to the Word of God and the empowering by the Holy Spirit. (John 17:17, 19; Romans 6:1-22; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION AND MATURITY

Mature disciples worship Christ, walk with Christ, and work for Christ. This will be the expression of a person committed to a relationship with Christ. That person will experience significant growth in personal sanctification and, therefore, will experience a closer personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, becoming more and more “complete in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). We are committed to multiplying the godly characteristics of leaders’ lives into others (2 Timothy 2:2). This multiplication of ministry is key to the healthy growth of the church. We teach that the disciples of Jesus Christ should minister to one another in the local church, rather than one or a small number of professional pastors bearing total responsibility to care for the entire congregation. God has given spiritual gifts to all of His people to provide mutual ministry in the context of the healthy and strong local church (Ephesians 4:11-12).

SECURITY OF BELIEVER

We teach that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever. (John 5:24, 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Romans 5:9-10; 8:1, 31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 7:25; 13:5; 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24).

ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

It is God’s divine decision to save a person, and it is God’s kindness, forbearance and patience that lead that person to repentance (Romans 2:4). All glory for the salvation and security of every believer belongs to God alone (Romans 3:21-31; Ephesians 1:7-9; Ephesians 2:8-9, Jude 24-25). We teach that everyone who is born again by the Spirit through Jesus Christ is eternally assured of salvation from the moment of conversion. This assurance relies on God’s decisive grace rather than on the works of the Christian. Obedience, good works and fruit-bearing do not earn or retain the believer’s salvation, but they do indicate the reality of the person’s love of Christ and profession of faith (Luke 6:46; John 14:21; James 2:17-18).

Eternal security in salvation relies on the Lord’s guarantee of each believer’s adoption as His son or daughter (Galatians 4:4-7), His seal of the believer by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14), and the conviction that God gives the Holy Spirit to each believer as a down payment toward future bliss in heaven (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). A person who professes genuine faith in Christ immediately becomes His possession (Luke 23:42-43; Acts 2:40-41; Acts 16: 30-34), and nothing can snatch that person out of His hands (John 10:27-29). Having been bought with the price of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion as complete payment for sin, Christians are not their own. They are Christ’s possession (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This assurance is absolutely certain, reserved in heaven, and protected by God’s unlimited power (1 Peter 1:4-5).

RESURRECTION

We teach the resurrection of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, His ascension into heaven and His present life for us as High Priest and Advocate (Acts 1:3; Acts 1:9; Hebrews 7:25-26).

THE RETURN OF CHRIST, HEAVEN AND HELL

We teach “that blessed hope,” the personal, bodily, and imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ. His return has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

We teach the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. The saved are raised to eternal, conscious bliss in heaven (Matthew 25:34; John 14:2; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Revelation 2:7), and the lost are raised to eternal torment in hell in conscious separation from God. (Matthew 8:11; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 13:49-50; Mark 9:47-48; Luke 12:5; Revelation 21:8).

THE CHURCH

Upon justification, a believer becomes part of the body of Christ, which is the church. There is one church universal, composed of all those throughout the world who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Scriptures command believers to gather in order to devote themselves to worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of the ordinances (baptism and communion), fellowship, service to the body through the development and use of talents and gifts, and outreach to the world in fulfillment of the command of Christ to make disciples of all believers (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-46; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 2:16; 5:23).

Wherever God’s people meet regularly in obedience to this command, there is the local expression of the church – under the watchful care of a plurality of elders. The church’s members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of glorifying Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).

ASSIMILATION AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

We teach the importance of serving the body of Christ by offering clear paths for people to start and develop healthy and growing relationships with others in the church body. We value an intentional plan to help every interested person enjoy godly relationships in the church. Church membership is a by-product of people who are growing in Christ and who grasp the importance of serving the Lord by using their gifts to serve others in the local church. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 3:12-17; Hebrews 10:24-25; 13:17).

CHURCH PLANTING

The church exists to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-38; Matthew 28:19-20).

The commission is fulfilled as disciples of Jesus Christ are made and grow in their relationship with Him and likeness to Him. God is glorified as we manifest His presence as we do His work (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Timothy 2:2).

In seeking to act upon the church’s purpose, we recognize the extraordinary value in multiplying the reach of His ministry by planting local churches and by associating with existing, like-minded local churches. God is glorified when Ascend Church and other like-minded churches associate with one another in order to foster relationships that edify, protect, encourage, support and admonish.

MISSIONS

Realizing that the cause of Christ extends beyond any one local fellowship, we commit ourselves to an ongoing ministry of extending the call of Christ to make disciples around the world (Matthew 28:19-20).

BAPTISM AND COMMUNION

We teach that baptism and communion are the two ordinances required in the church. We believe that Christian baptism by immersion in water is a public identification with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Although baptism is not required for salvation, it is commanded of all believers and is for believers only (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 18:18). Scripture shows that a person was baptized after personally receiving forgiveness of sin by grace through faith in and repentance through Jesus Christ. The waters of baptism are a symbol of our death, burial, and resurrection to newness of life that happens when we become a new creation in Christ (Romans 6:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:12).

Communion is the commemoration by believers of Christ’s death and a reminder – through the bread and the juice – of the Savior’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is to be a time of confession of our sin and should be preceded by careful self-examination (Acts 4:13; Romans 6:3-6; 1 Corinthians 11:20-29).

COUNSELING PHILOSOPHY

The Lord changes lives and accomplishes His purposes directly through reading, understanding, and applying the Scriptures as well as meditating on the truths of the Scriptures through prayer. The Lord also uses those who minister His Word as they encourage, exhort, admonish, edify, implore, reprove, rebuke, and console others toward godliness. God needs no new or unique insight into the human condition in order to change lives, regardless of whether that insight is gained through psychology or some other tool of human origin. Problems that are approached by integrating the Scriptures with psychological theories tend to deceive individuals into diminishing the God of the Scriptures and into believing that He has not provided and cannot provide sufficient truth, insight, and wisdom that will change their lives (Colossians 2:8-10).

When psychology and other social sciences step beyond observing human behavior and seek to explain the causes of human behavior, they enter spiritual territory. Only the God of the Scriptures can explain causes and offer solutions that lead to godliness and a fruitful, joyful life. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). He changes us as we discipline ourselves through obedience to the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Peter 1:5-11).

Each Christian’s passion should be to become more like Christ and fulfill the Great Commandment to love the Lord with their entire heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; cf. Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:30; Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2).

The Christian who learns and applies the Word becomes mature and, in turn, can help others mature (2 Timothy 2:2).

SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE

We hold to the verbal, plenary inspiration of that Scriptures and the conviction that they contain all the words of God that we need in order to completely trust and obey Him. The Scriptures are inerrant in their original writings (Psalm 119:97-104; Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:18; John 5:46-47; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:15-16), and are infallible in their instruction (Proverbs 6:32; 2 Peter 1:19); eternal in duration (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:23-25); the final authority and the standard for faith and practice (Matthew 4:4; Psalm 119); and sufficient for counsel in every issue of life (Psalm 19:14-17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). We teach that the very words of Scripture in the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic are inspired by God. Therefore, we believe that the Bible versions which translate God’s Word most literally into modern English should be preferred.

CREATION, EVOLUTION AND GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

We teach God created the universe in six 24-hour days and that, before He created the universe, nothing except God existed (Genesis 1:1-31; Exodus 31:17; Psalm 33:6-9; Acts 17:24; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3).

God chose to create the universe and all that is in it to reveal His glory, divine nature, eternal power, infinite wisdom and supreme authority (Psalm 19:1-2; Isaiah 43:7; Jeremiah 10:12; Romans 1:20; Revelation 4:11).

We deny the theory of evolution, which states that nonliving substances gave rise to the first living material, which then reproduced and diversified to produce all living creatures. We teach that all people are descendants of Adam and Eve, whom God created personally and individually and as complete human beings (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 11:8-9). The fall of Adam and Eve infected all people with sin and death, but the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives the opportunity to receive God’s gift of eternal life (Romans 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

God rules over His creation, cares about it, and is involved in the lives of individual people (Job 12:10; Acts 17:25; Acts 25:28; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:13).

God sovereignly executes His will independent of the influence or will of man (Job 42:2; Psalm 115:3). Such sovereignty was beautifully manifested in the Old Testament with the electing of the nation of Israel as a people chosen for Himself for His glory and purposes (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). God also displays such sovereignty by electing people from all nations for salvation (Ephesians 1:4-6). Finally, God’s sovereignty continues to be demonstrated through all events of human history (Ephesians 1:11). All such sovereignty works in perfect harmony with the responsibility of man ensuring that man is completely culpable for his or her own actions and will one day be called to give an account (Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6).

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Satan and his demonic servants viciously oppose the work God performs in and through His people (Genesis 3:1-7; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8). God, who by His nature is infinitely more powerful than Satan, in due time will have complete and total victory over Satan (1 John 4:4; Revelation 20:1-10).

Although it is appropriate to pray in Jesus’ name for protection against demonic activity, the Scriptures do not instruct the Christian to “bind Satan in Jesus’ name.” Rather, the Scriptures instruct the Christian to combat Satan by:

  1. Humbly drawing near to God, knowing that He will give grace, mercy and strength (2 Corinthians 12:7-9; Hebrews 4:15-16; James 4:8; 1 Peter 5:6-10)
  2. Resisting his temptations (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9)
  3. Rightly applying the truth of the Scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11; John 8:44; Ephesians 4:24-27)
  4. Forgiving offenses (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)
  5. Putting on the armor of God’s truth, righteousness, readiness to share the Gospel, faith, salvation and prayer (Ephesians 6:11-20)

6. Demonstrating faithfulness to the Lord by enduring trials (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 2:13; Revelation 3:9-10).

STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY

We teach that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female.  These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:18)  Rejection of one’s biologically-born sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. 

We teach that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18-25)  We teach that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4)  We teach that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

We teach that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

We teach that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

We teach that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31)  Such terms must be defined by the instruction of Scripture and the example of Christ.  Otherwise hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of Ascend Church of Kansas City.

WOMEN IN MINISTRY

Ascend Church affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in establishing and leading in the local church. Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those that are excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the office of Elder and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men (1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9). We do not see this as an issue of equality, for men and women are equal in personhood and value in the eyes of God. The Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. Qualified women should serve in any leadership position that is not forbidden in the Scriptures.

WORSHIP

The chief purpose of mankind is to glorify God by loving Him with the entire heart, soul, mind and might (Deuteronomy 6:5; Isaiah 43:7; Matthew 22:37). All believing men, women, and children are to glorify God and thus fulfill the purpose of their existence. Worship glorifies God through adoration (Psalm 95:6); praise (Psalm 99:5); prayer (Daniel 6:10-11); thanksgiving (Nehemiah 12:46); and a complete yielding to Him (Romans 12:1). Worship declares His worth, pays Him homage, and celebrates Him in a life of devotion. We seek to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth (Exodus 15:1-21; 2 Samuel 6:14-16; Psalm 5:7; John 4:23-24; Revelation 4:11; 5:12).

Several tenets guide our worship. We seek to:

  1. Lift high the name of Jesus Christ (John 4:22-26; John12:32; John 14:6). Lead God’s people to lift their hearts and voices to Him, giving Him praise and thanks in music and lyric (Nehemiah 12:45-46; Psalm 66:1-4; Psalm 95:1-2);
  2. Prepare hearts to hear the Lord speak through the proclamation of Scripture (Psalm 95:6-9; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42);
  3. Emphasize fresh and contemporary expressions while retaining traditional elements that recognize the richness of our heritage in the faith (Deuteronomy 32:7; Psalm 33:3; Isaiah 46:8-9; Matthew 13:32; Ephesians 5:19; Revelation 5:9);
  4. Pursue excellence in worship, knowing that God is worthy of our best (Deuteronomy 17:1; Psalm 33:3; 1 Timothy 4:14-15; Hebrews 11:4).

A message from our Elders

We care deeply about our flock, and you. According to the New Testament, elders are responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of a church. We meet often to be reminded of what the Bible says about how we are to care for one another and the church. (Acts 20:28, 1 Tim 5:17, James 5:14, Titus 1:9) Every meeting we gather to:

  • Discuss God’s word and develop teaching curriculum
  • Pray for the sick and the church
  • Examine issues and be peacemakers
  • Pray for the church and those to come
  • Lead the church’s mission

Kurt Fischer

Bio to come

Kurt Fischer

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Chad McKinley

Chad is the Director of Discipleship at Ascend Church, primarily overseeing the small group and soul care ministries. These two ministries are near to his heart because God uses them to transform and deepen people’s relationship with Christ.

Chad grew up in the church and, for many years, thought being a good person would get him to heaven. In 1995, God led Chad’s family to a church where he heard the gospel for the first time. Instead of good works saving him, he heard the truth that he must trust and believe in Christ and His work in order to have a relationship with Him. God opened his eyes and heart, and Chad committed to have Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Chad has a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies and Master of Arts degrees in Biblical Counseling and Divinity from Baptist Bible College and Graduate School. As a counselor, he is certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.

Chad is married to Maggie, and they have three daughters (Rowan, Bristol, Isla) and two sons (Hudson, Titus). He enjoys spending time with his family playing superheroes and princesses. He is also a lifelong Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan.

Chad McKinley

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Jeff Terrell

Jeff Terrell is the senior pastor of Ascend Church, a church planted in 2010 through the training and equipping of a global network of churches known today as the Great Commission Collective. Jeff received degrees from the University of Missouri (Business), Baker University (MBA), The Master’s Seminary (MDiv), and also has a degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin). God has used this education as well as Jeff’s unique career path to prepare him for ministry. From Minor League Baseball to the corporate world to management at a local Kansas City business, each experience and skill set has provided tools which continue to offer unique insight to pastoral ministry.

Jeff was blessed to marry the love of his life, Sally, in 1998 and is delighted to be the father of three girls: Meg, Mallory, and Macy.

Jeff Terrell

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Doug Besch

Bio to come

Doug Besch

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Tim McCown

Bio to come

Tim McCown

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Ken Heizer

Ken and his family joined Ascend Church in 2016 after serving as church-planters in northern Italy for eight years. Ken and his wife, Mindi, have seven children (Justin, Michaela, Wesley, Kyle, Katie, Allie and Kara).

Ken now serves on the leadership team of a global church-planting missions organization as the Area Director for Europe encouraging, developing and supporting missionaries and their families spread throughout seventeen countries.

His passions are his family, missions and outreach, biblical counseling, and hanging with friends while sipping coffee, playing disc golf or talking about how the gospel functions in everyday life.

 

Ken Heizer

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Our Staff

Ken Heizer

Ken and his family joined Ascend Church in 2016 after serving as church-planters in northern Italy for eight years. Ken and his wife, Mindi, have seven children (Justin, Michaela, Wesley, Kyle, Katie, Allie and Kara).

Ken now serves on the leadership team of a global church-planting missions organization as the Area Director for Europe encouraging, developing and supporting missionaries and their families spread throughout seventeen countries.His passions are his family, missions and outreach, biblical counseling, and hanging with friends while sipping coffee, playing disc golf or talking about how the gospel functions in everyday life.

Ken Heizer

Young Adults Coordinator
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Lucy Nagel

Lucy Nagel oversees Children’s Ministry at Ascend Church. She loves children and it is her desire to make an impact on the children at Ascend Church by effectively sharing the Gospel with them on a weekly basis. She has the privilege of leading the children’s ministry by recruiting, training, educating and supporting the volunteer staff of workers.Lucy is married to James, and they have 3 children (Taylor, Kaylie and Nicholas). They have attended Ascend Church since launch day, September 2010. Both James and Nick serve on the Usher team and the girls spent many years serving in children’s ministry and look forward to it when they are home from college. Lucy enjoys spending time with her family hiking in Colorado, quality time at the lake and spending time in the kitchen with her family.

Lucy feels blessed to serve alongside you as we seek to see your children come to know Christ at an early age.

Lucy Nagel

Ascend Kids Coordinator
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Kathy Stark

Kathy Stark is Jeff Terrell’s Executive Assistant. She is responsible for managing Jeff’s schedule and communications, provides administrative support and leadership, and coordinates special projects. Kathy has worked in ministry, non-profit, and corporate settings, she has been a stay-at-home mom, and she and her husband have owned a small business. She has a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration and an MBA, both from Wichita State University.

Kathy and her husband, Brian, were married in 2000. Their son, Zach, attends Liberty University, and their daughter, Megan, is a senior in high school. They have attended Ascend since 2016. Kathy leads a women’s small group at Ascend and a Moms in Prayer group that prays weekly for her kids’ high school.

Kathy Stark

Executive Administrative Assistant
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Nicole Neal

Nicole is the Administrative Assistant at Ascend Church. She was an active member of the church that joined with Pastor Jeff’s small core group in 2010 to become Ascend Church. Nicole joined the church staff in July 2012 after working in the mortgage and investment banking client service divisions for 18 years. Nicole has witnessed the church go through many changes in name, staff, and location in the past 8+ years. Nicole thoroughly loves working for the church and sees God’s hand at work in her life and those she interacts with on a daily basis.Nicole is a life-long Kansas City Metro resident, the youngest of four children, has eight nieces and nephews, and eight great nieces and nephews, and was blessed to be raised in a Christian home. Nicole recognized her need for a Savior at a young age. She realized that she remained a babe in Christ who needed to grow in her faith through her pastor’s preaching at summer camp during her middle school years. That growth began when she added spiritual disciplines of consistent personal study of God’s Word, Scripture memorization, intentional prayer and serving in church into her life in addition to regular weekly church attendance. She has faithfully served upon returning home from camp in the following ministries: Kids, Students, Small Groups, and Biblical Soul Care to date.

Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends away from the office and is an avid sports fan.

Nicole Neal

Administrative Assistant
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Jeff Terrell

Jeff Terrell is the senior pastor of Ascend Church, a church planted in 2010 through the training and equipping of a global network of churches known today as the Great Commission Collective.Jeff received degrees from the University of Missouri (Business), Baker University (MBA), The Master’s Seminary (MDiv), and also has a degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin). God has used this education as well as Jeff’s unique career path to prepare him for ministry. From Minor League Baseball to the corporate world to management at a local Kansas City business, each experience and skill set has provided tools which continue to offer unique insight to pastoral ministry.

Jeff was blessed to marry the love of his life, Sally, in 1998 and is delighted to be the father of three girls: Meg, Mallory, and Macy.

Jeff Terrell

Senior Pastor
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Ben Arant

Ben is the Director of Worship & Creative Arts at Ascend Church. God has orchestrated things in his life in such an amazing way over the past few years to get him to the place where he is today.Ben was saved at the age of 13 through the godly influence of his parents as he was confronted by his own sin and inability to reconcile outside of God’s provision. Years later, when in college he rededicated his life to following the Lord for a lifetime.

Since then, he married his wife Danielle and has 5 children: Roman, Emarie, Paisley, Lincoln, and Hadley. Together they have grown closer to the Lord over the past few years by getting connected with Harvest Bible Chapel in various contexts and now Ascend Church. First they moved to Rochester, Minnesota to be part of a Harvest core group and church plant. They were there for 2 years, and then God opened up the door for them to raise support and serve overseas in Glasgow, Scotland for 1 year at the only Harvest in the United Kingdom. From there, Ben was accepted in the Harvest Training Center for Worship and spent 3 months training under Vertical Worship. That brings them to where they are currently; serving and loving the people of Ascend Church in Olathe.

Ben Arant

Director of Creative Arts
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Chad McKinley

Chad is the Director of Discipleship at Ascend Church, primarily overseeing the small group and soul care ministries. These two ministries are near to his heart because God uses them to transform and deepen people’s relationship with Christ.Chad grew up in the church and, for many years, thought being a good person would get him to heaven. In 1995, God led Chad’s family to a church where he heard the gospel for the first time. Instead of good works saving him, he heard the truth that he must trust and believe in Christ and His work in order to have a relationship with Him. God opened his eyes and heart, and Chad committed to have Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Chad has a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies and Master of Arts degrees in Biblical Counseling and Divinity from Baptist Bible College and Graduate School. As a counselor, he is certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors.

Chad is married to Maggie, and they have three daughters (Rowan, Bristol, Isla) and two sons (Hudson, Titus). He enjoys spending time with his family playing superheroes and princesses. He is also a lifelong Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan.

Chad McKinley

Director of Discipleship
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Lee White

Lee is the Director of Student Ministries at Ascend Church, overseeing the church’s ministry to our middle and high schools. He has a passion for these ages as they were pivotal to the growth of his own personal faith.Lee grew up going to church with his family. As a military kid, his family moved around a lot but were always connected to a local church. His parents also read family devotions together each night. It was after one of those devotions that Lee knew he was a sinner in need of a savior and accepted Jesus into his life. It wasn’t until he was in middle school that he really started to unpack what this meant as he was under the faithful preaching of God’s Word and intentional discipleship of youth mentors.

Lee has a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from The Master’s Seminary. He is also licensed and ordained to the Gospel Ministry.

Lee is married to Amy, and they have two daughters (Rory, Ada). When he is not planning the next NERF War for students or playing with his girls, he enjoys hunting and fishing. He would also love to talk sports, LEGO, Star Wars, or your favorite reads with you

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Lee White

Director of Family Ministries
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Ursla McCarthy

Ursla is the Associate Director of Soul Care at Ascend Church and a full-time biblical counselor, working to grow and strengthen our members to counsel the word of God not only to themselves but to others.Ursla is a Veteran spouse and after many years of trying to manage the military life outside of her relationship with Jesus Christ, God, in His mercy, brought her to a valley where her only option was to look up. She rededicated her life to living for Christ in 1997 and has not looked back.

Ursla has a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling and Christian Women Studies from Trinity Theological Seminary and College of the Bible. She is also certified through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).

Ursla is married to Bob, and they have 3 sons and 1 daughter-in-law; Hugh (26) who is married to Megan (27), Collyn (24), and Ryan (22). Ursla enjoys fishing, working out, and going to the range with her husband.

Ursla McCarthy

Director of Soul Care
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Emily Brensing

Emily Brensing is the creative arts coordinator at Ascend Church. Emily was a wedding and portrait photographer for many years prior to joining the staff at Ascend. She enjoys being a helping hand in furthering the mission at Ascend through digital communications and seeing members of Ascend becoming members of the church family.

Emily grew up in a Christian home but it wasn’t until attending a Christian women’s conference for creative business owners that she understood her works of obedience were not what would save her but instead, the grace of God and believing what Christ accomplished on the cross. After attending that conference she sought truth and wisdom from God’s word and has been deeply involved with the local church.

Emily has been married to Brad since 2012 and they have been blessed with two blonde-headed, outgoing boys, Jack and Lucas. She enjoys baking, being outside and spending time with family over a home cooked meal.

Emily Brensing

Creative Arts Coordinator
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Mindy Salts

Mindy Salts is the Women’s Ministry Coordinator at Ascend Church. She is humbled and thankful to be given the opportunity to step into this role. She has a desire to develop a ministry that fosters a community of women who live out the beauty of the gospel through the intentional study of God’s word, biblical discipleship, and faithful service.

Mindy was raised in a believing home and made a confession of faith when she was 7 years old. Her understanding of her sin was limited and her spiritual growth was very slow until she attended Oklahoma Baptist University and became involved in the Baptist Student union on campus. It was at this point that she was poured into not only by leaders but fellow students and grew tremendously in her faith and maturity. Now 27 years later she continues to walk in authentic relationship with Jesus and other believers and is continually challenged, encouraged, and convicted by the realities of her sin and the power of God’s grace in her life!

Mindy has been married to her best friend, Joel, for 26 years. They have been blessed with 5 amazing children who are all on their own journey with the Lord. She loves all things design, houses, coffee, yummy food, and of course when all 5 of her kiddos are home.

Mindy Salts

Women’s Ministry Coordinator
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Rachelle Jackson

Rachelle Jackson is the administrative assistant to Soul Care and Discipleship Ministries. She retired from 35 years of banking and considers herself to be a lifelong learner. She has always had a heart for the hurting and sharing the hope of God’s word, “The Good News”. She is currently working on her ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) Certification.

Rachelle and her husband, Doug were high school sweethearts that married in 1978. They have two grown children, Tiffany (Jay) and Travis (Sarah) and four wonderful grandchildren, Kenna, Avery, Campbell, and Thomas.

She and her husband began attending Ascend in April 2022. She serves as an Advocate, Coach, and Freedom Groups Leader.

She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hanging out, and playing games.

Rachelle Jackson

Soul Care Administrator
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Partnerships

Ascend Church is a part of the Great Commission Collective, a group of over 125 churches committed to plant, strengthen, and multiply other gospel-centered and God-glorifying churches.

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