Growing Prayerfully Together,
        Reflecting Christ's Light to All

1. The variety and number of worship services have increased: some are focused on youth and young adults, they are offered at various times and places including midweek.
   
2. Music for worship is in a variety of styles and formats.
   
3. Media is being used for sermons. Services are available through the internet and are being broadcast to accommodate multiple locations, 
   
4. 2,500-3,000 people worship at multiple services in our expanded sanctuary, which seats 1000. 
   
5. Ascension’s membership reflects racial and economic diversity.
   
6. Ascension has a strong partnership with Cross Lutheran Church, with members of both churches developing friendships, and with ministries of both churches inter-facing in key ways.
7. Ascension is a teaching/training center for other congregations and leaders.
   

He went through Galilee preaching the good news of the kingdom 
(Mark 1:14)

1.  Two hundred volunteers serve in the Touch a Heart ministries of care for the sick and those needing encouragement.
   
2. A free check-up clinic is offered to the neighborhood several nights a month.
   
3. The Health and Wholeness Team is sponsoring education/prevention programs to the Waukesha community.
   
4. There is a care team at Ascension addressing infectious disease issues like AIDS.
   
5. Ascension is a training site for Waukesha Memorial Hospital in Parish Nursing.

He healed many that were sick. Mark 1:34

1.  Ascension involves several hundred youth in a variety of ministries of learning and service.
   
2. Families are centers for practicing and sharing faith at home and in the community.
   
3. There are multiple Sunday School sessions, on Sundays and other days.
   
4. There is a significant Peer Ministry program among teens.
   
5. Ascension offers attractive, meaningful programs to reach un-churched teens in Waukesha (e.g. Summer Basketball Camp, Bible Camps)
   
6. A recreation center and programs involve people of all ages.
   
7. Ascension is a training site for Youth and Family Ministry.
   

Let the children come to me, of such is the kingdom of God  (Mark 10:14)

1. Ascension has over 500 small groups and ministry teams in which members are growing as disciples, discovering their ministry gifts, and inspired use their talents outside church.
2. Ascension has a major, unified spiritual rally campaign every fall, seeking full participation.
3. Seminars, Bible Studies, and retreats are being offered off-site at schools and other locations, both for members and the community
4. The majority of Ascension members have taken all of the Discover Seminars taught by staff, leading to mentoring programs to connect people of faith and to encourage them to continue to grow in Christ.
5. The vast majority of people at Ascension are using their gifts to serve in a variety of ways through its ministries and activities
6. (e.g. conduct afternoon/evening tutoring classes in the computer lab, and community groups are meeting in the Spiritual Growth Wing; ‘Bridge Events’ to the community like Youth Basketball, all ages volleyball, etc. in our recreation center)
7. Generous hearts are evident among Ascension members with 50% of the people practicing the spiritual habit of tithing.
8. Ascension is a training site in small group and team led ministry.
    

He appointed twelve to be apostles, to be with him that he could send them out
 (Mark 3:14) 

1.  Ascension sponsors programs to raise awareness, prayer and money to relieve poverty.
2. People of all ages are involved in multiple mission trips locally, nationally, and internationally.
3. Ascension is involved in 12 community outreach ministries in Waukesha. (e.g. SOPHIA, prison ministry, food pantry, etc.)
4. Ascension is a leader in our synod and community as a model for mission outreach.

I am appointed to preach good news to the poor  Luke 4:18 

Blessed are the poor, for us such is the kingdom  Matthew 5:3