2023 Annual Report

2023 Annual Report Ascent Church 2961 Shore Dr. Virginia Beach, VA Est. 2017

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Table of Contents Section One

Section Two

Section Three

Welcome ......................... 3

Impact ........................... 11 Stories ........................... 13

Numbers ....................... 15

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Section Four

Section Five

Section Six

Local Outreach ............. 29 Global Outreach ........... 31

Operational Budget ...... 36

ARC .............................. 37 Thank You ..................... 38

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One A Song of Ascents ......... 6 From Pastor T ................. 7

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Psalm 134 A song of ascents.

1 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

8 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21) Over the few years since 2016 when Helen and I quit our jobs, sold our house, and moved our little family of three here to Virginia Beach, God is truly doing immeasurably more than we could have ever asked or imagined. We are thankful that the church has grown 76% this year. However, what truly excites us is this: since launching in 2017, we have seen 970 people respond to the Gospel. Let’s celebrate that this year alone, 404 have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

We love our military community and it is a privilege to serve them.

Having parents check their little ones into A-kids and proceed to worship in the house while their deployed spouse streams in from across the world is something we do not take for granted.

We celebrate our podcast reaching over 50 countries in 2023, representing many military families all over the world.

As discussed on Vision Sunday, a major goal of 2023 was to get into a better financial position to go wherever God leads us in expansion.

We thank the people of Ascent for being so undeniably generous, as you gave $313,921.10 for our year end offering. We are thankful that we remain debt free and every month get in a better position to go wherever God leads us next. We have continued to save money this year, growing from $210,387.12 in holdings in 2023 to $756,808.33 in holdings at the start of 2024. Thank you for your sacrificial and consistent generosity and know that God works through your generosity to change lives.

We hope you can take a quick glance at our Annual Report, seeing all that God has done. He is at work within us, and we give Him all the glory both now and forever.

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Two Impact ........................... 11 Stories ........................... 13

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Impact

404 Salvations

970 Salvations since Launch

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64

Baptisms 267 Baptisms since Launch

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Stories Ascent embodies more than mere concepts of faith and family for me; it signifies a sense of community, a collective gaze upward in praise toward Jesus, and a humble inclination in moments of humility. Serving the Lord is an honor, connecting me with Him through life’s peaks and valleys. I decided to get baptized because I wanted to go all in on my relationship with Jesus. My baptism symbolized a transformative shift from a life of sin to one fully embraced with

Jesus. My baptism was a public declaration of my belief in the saving power of Jesus, and the death of my old self. Joining the community of believers at Ascent was a conscious choice to openly align with those who share my faith and love in Jesus as my savior. Acknowledging my sinfulness and need for His grace, I desire to deepen my relationship with Jesus and wear the Armor of God daily. As my heart and soul guided me to Ascent, I aspire not only to be a vessel for Jesus, but a testament to the lost. I am proof that Jesus can lift your eyes to Him in every circumstance and situation that life throws at you - He is the true prize.

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up and baptized and wash your sins away, calling on the name of Jesus,” Acts 22:16

Rob Teno

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God’s reassuring hand rested on my shoulder

Two years ago, my dearest friend and business partner, Mel, extended a heartfelt invitation that marked the beginning of a transformative journey. At that time, my life was weighed down by familial struggles. I vividly recall the Sunday she invited me to join her, a pivotal moment that would shape the course of my spiritual path and life. During that church service, tears flowed freely as the worship music enveloped me, providing solace and relief from the burden of anxiety.

In that sacred space, I sensed a divine presence, as if God’s reassuring hand rested on my shoulder, whispering through the melody, “It’s going to be okay; I have a plan.”

Now, Maverick City Music and Elevation Worship have become the soundtrack to my daily life, even earning the top spots on my Spotify Wrapped. The profound connection with God that I’ve experienced through Ascent Church goes beyond mere attendance—it’s embedded in the sermons, the worship music, and the genuine interactions with fellow believers.

Walking with Jesus has become a daily decision and it’s changed my life.

While I am profoundly grateful for the symbolic baptism I received as a baby

through my parents’ faith, adulthood has brought a deeper, more personal relationship with God and I wanted to let the world know of my new found faith. At the age of 27, I felt a compelling call to take the significant step of getting baptized. This decision was not only a testament of my new journey with Him but also a commitment to spreading His love and inspiring others to embark on their own faith journeys. In the words of affirmation, “For I am born again, my heart is free.”

“Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Colossians 2:12-13

Maddy Humphrey

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Three Attendance .................... 17 A-Kids ........................... 19 Students ....................... 20 A-Teams ....................... 21 Groups ......................... 22 Online ........................... 23 Next Steps ................... 25

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76% Growth 2022 to 2023

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Average Attendance

678 December 2022

1,191 December 2023

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A-Kids

48% Growth 2022 to 2023

349 First Time Kids

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Students

29% Growth 2022 to 2023

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First Time Students

50

Summer Camp Attendees

11

Schools Represented

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A-Teams

11 Teams

498 Servant Leaders

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Groups

356 People in Groups 73 Total Groups

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Online

36,686 Podcast Downloads* 116,872 Downloads since Launch *With listeners across 50 countries

41,720 YouTube Views 110,236 Views since Launch

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Sermon Series

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Next Steps Next Steps was relaunched this year to help those new to Ascent Church learn more about us as a church, get connected, and to meet incredible people. This two week interactive session invites people to hear our vision, establish their purpose, get equipped with resources, and empower others through serving. Our main purpose for Next Steps is to connect people to the life of Ascent Church and come alongside them as they take their next step in faith.

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People Completed Next Steps

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Four Local Outreach ............. 29 Global Outreach ........... 31

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Local Outreach 2023 Partners

Counseling

211

Free Counseling Hours Provided

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Serve Day Projects Point O’View Elementary School

Revitalized the school garden and helped paint the parking lot

Military Families for Families

Shopped for groceries and delivered to military families in need

Manna Ministry of Tidewater

Packed and delivered food to homeless in need

Judeo-Christian Outreach Center

Prepared and served food to those with food insecurities

Samaritan House

Cleaned homes for those who have recently become free from domestic violence

Shelton Park Elementary School

Helped clean the school to prepare for the new school year

Plaza Middle School

Helped repaint the school logos and helped maintain a clean garden

AIDNOW

Sorted clothes to donate for children in need leading into the school year

Park Clean Up

Cleaned up our adopted park, Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area, by picking up trash

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Global Outreach 2023 Partners

33

Five Operational Budget ....... 36

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Operational Budget

Financial Highlights

$1,268,827.68

$0

Total Budget

$756,808.33

Debt Owed

Current Holdings

15%

13%

10%

10%

Preaching & Service Programming

NextGen

Local & Global Outreach

Groups & Counseling

9%

16%

18%

9%

Church Leadership & Development

Facilities & IT

Administration & Communication

Connections

35

Six ARC .............................. 37 Thank You ..................... 38

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We are a cooperative of independent churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds who strategically resource church planters and pastors to help them reach people with the message of Jesus. We do this by providing relationships, resources, and opportunities to leaders of new and existing churches so that they can thrive.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. Let’s be a church that allows Him to write our story. Let’s follow Him in obedience, whatever the situation calls for. Let’s slow down and focus. Let’s breathe deep and relax. Let’s grit our teeth and persist.

We believe we are now better positioned than ever to make an increasing impact for the Gospel. Thank you for every prayer, every invitation to a friend, every small group meeting, and every interaction on social media. Thank you for every financial investment you have given to make this move of the Gospel a reality. God is working through you.

I invite you to be a part of what God is doing here at Ascent Church. If you don’t already, I invite you to call Ascent Church your church and your home. I invite you to pray for the future of this city. I invite you to fight for the next generation. I invite you to honor God by investing financially into this church. If led, you can support this ministry by going to ascentchurch.net and setting up scheduled monthly giving to prepare the way for God to move in this city.

It is an honor to be on this journey together. The stakes have never been higher and there is much more ground to take. Let’s keep fighting. Let’s rise up and be who He is calling us to be.

If you have any questions, please email brandon@ascentchurch.net