Darrell & Julie Simbeck
Senior Pastors
Darrell and Julie Simbeck are the Senior Pastors and Co-Founders of Ascension Life Church, Athens, TN. They have been in full time ministry for over twenty years and have been pastoring Ascension Life Church since November of 2001. Their ministry is an example of a husband-and-wife team working together, as one, to accomplish God’s Kingdom purposes. Their ministry is characterized by an overflow of God’s love, mercy, and grace, along with relevant Bible-based teaching and godly leadership. Pastor Darrell and Julie’s ministry calling, as the senior pastors of Ascension Life Church and Ascension Life Ministries, is to establish New Testament churches that are purposed to establish and facilitate family worship, teaching, and training centers that are committed to sharing God’s truth and showing Christ’s love! Darrell and Julie have been married since 1993. They have three children and four grandchildren. Pastor Darrell has a BS in Organizational Management from Covenant College, an MTS in Biblical Studies from Regent University, a ThM in Christian Theology from Regent University, and is currently working towards the completion of his PhD in Renewal Theology, Regent University. His primary areas of study and interest include Renewal Theology, Pauline Theology, the Fivefold Ministry Gifts, Spiritual Gifts, and Church Government.
Brian Miller
Associate Pastor
Brian Miller is the Associate Pastor at Ascension Life Church. As a 2005 graduate of Central High School in McMinn County, Brian went on to study Pastoral Ministry at Lee University. Graduating in 2010 from Lee University with a degree in Pastoral Ministry/Christian Ministries, Brian went into the education system in Chattanooga, teaching high school/middle school for 5 years. In the summer of 2015, Brian felt the call to return to full-time ministry in Athens, TN, at Ascension Life Church. Brian’s goal in life is to reveal to people the love of Jesus Christ and to change the way people see church and God. He is excited about what the future holds at Ascension Life Church.
John Gordon
Worship & Arts
John Gordon is the music and arts pastor/director at Ascension Life Church. Raised in a musical family, he spent most of his life playing music with one intent, to glorify the name of Christ. Along with singing and songwriting, John also enjoys helping the musicians and singers at the church grow in their talent and relationship with God. He has worked in live as well as studio production and plays a number of different instruments. John’s mission at ALC is to facilitate an atmosphere of worship and praise for God to inhabit and to see real change through the music created.
Joseph & Kelcy
Children’s Pastors and Nursery Directors
Nathan & Katie Hamby
Youth Pastors
Elders
Jim Cucciarre
Mike Elkins
