2022 ASCENT CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT

RISE TO NEW IN CHRIST

TO NEW LIFE CHRIST

We are so thankful for all that God has done in 2022. Our heart is for those far from God to rise to new life in Christ. When we moved here in 2017, we had no idea what God was planning. We are blown away by full auditoriums, packed lobbies, growing student groups, and bustling kid spaces. I still haven’t processed the fact that we reached 41 different countries through our podcast alone this year.

Let us not allow the success we have seen to lull us into complacency. Now is the time to advance, not draw back. Now is the time to become more intentional, not less. Let us never forget where we started from. Let us never forget this is for His glory and never ours. Let us never forget the Gospel: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

We believe we are better positioned, more than ever, to make an increasing impact for the gospel in Virginia Beach and beyond. Don’t for a second think you haven’t made a difference. Don’t for a second think how you served God this year “didn’t really matter.” God is working through you to change lives. Thank you for every prayer, every invitation to a friend, every interaction on social media. Thank you for every financial investment you have given to make this move of the gospel a reality.

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!

“Every number represents a story”

212 SALVATIONS IN 2022

566 SALVATIONS SINCE LAUNCH

59 BAPTISMS IN 2022 203

BAPTISMS SINCE LAUNCH

Chris Mutuc

“I knew it was time to take my relationship with Christ seriously and commit to following Him. As a leader of my family, I wanted to be fully devoted to Jesus and allow Him to direct our paths together on this journey. God has used Ascent to greatly deepen my faith and my confidence of where God is leading me and my family.”

Liz Griffin

“I have always loved God, but I haven’t always lived as if my life was led by Him. When I heard God call me to baptism this year, I knew it was time to publicly declare, especially in front of my children, that I not only believe in God but that I will live according to His will. When I went under the water, I felt myself being freed. I came out of the water a new person - I was clean…forgiven…redeemed…I was whole. Praise God for the mountains He is moving in my life.”

Ascent Kids

127% GROWTH FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR

FIRST TIME KIDS IN 2022

75% GROWTH FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR

27 SUMMER CAMP ATTENDEES

Ascent Students

30 SCHOOLS REPRESENTED 16

11

9 TEAMS 289

SERVANT LEADERS

Drew Hartell

“I love giving my time to serve in A-Kids because I think kids really do listen, even though we discredit them sometimes thinking they don’t. I even think they’re often better listeners than we are as adults. They receive things differently, and it’s so cool to see how they respond to truths in scripture! It’s meaningful to be able to share the Gospel with them and talk to them for that brief hour and see them really receive it. It’s truly a privilege to be able to help raise up future world changers for Jesus. A-Kids is the place to be!”

Chelsea Morea

“Jesus led by serving and He LOVED by serving. It’s amazing that we are CALLED to do the same! Once I listened to how He was calling me to serve, I stopped doubting if He could ever use someone like me. Every time I see a new face walk in our doors, hear someone’s testimony, or get to worship alongside other A-team members, I get a glimpse of God’s power and grace. He works through us in the tiniest of moments! Serving is a way I RESPOND, love others, and build a community — in a place where EVERYONE belongs!”

27,800 PODCAST DOWNLOADS IN 2022

82,217 PODCASTS DOWNLOADS SINCE LAUNCH

29,400

YOUTUBE VIEWS IN 2022

71,000

YOUTUBE VIEWS SINCE LAUNCH

2022 Sermon Series

Ascent Groups

380 PEOPLE IN GROUPS Kirstin Clayton

65 GROUPS LAUNCHED

“Being a part of A-Groups has impacted me by allowing me to see a little piece of heaven on earth through God’s love and community. Community is a gift that God gives us and it’s such a joy being able to experience this incredible gift through A-Groups. Being in this community allows you to grow in faith and learn from others while doing life together. I am so glad I joined an A-Group at Ascent!”

Local OUTREACH

ORGANIZATIONS WE’VE PARTNERED WITH THIS YEAR

Serve Day Projects

MANNA MINISTRY

Collected food items for the homeless

AIDNOW

Shopped for school clothes for homeless students

FOOD BANK

Served meals to the homeless

PIN MINISTRIES

Helped provide showers, food, and clothing to the homeless

BEACH CLEAN UP

Picked up trash along the beach

“You are helping to provide safe water to people in a village of over 28,000 people, 3 schools, and a health center. We are able to share the gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ with everybody we encounter there.”

Randy Valentine

Life

Water

Global OUTREACH

ORGANIZATIONS WE’VE PARTNERED WITH THIS YEAR

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

FUTURE BRIGHT

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.

We are in such a special season as a church as we reach this city with the Gospel and make much of Jesus. Thank you so much to all you who partner with Ascent through giving - it means so much. This goes directly to changing lives and impacting this city. We thank you for your giving and support. We’re looking forward to your continued partnership with Ascent Church as we reach, equip, and impact this city together. If God is calling you to partner with us, visit ascentchurch.net/give to set up a one-time or recurring monthly gift. The future is bright.

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