HISTORICAL SKETCH

Ephesians 2:21-22 “In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy Temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22 NIV

This Scripture is an excellent overview of how Ascension Fellowship Church came into existence in April, 2015.  Thirty-three people responded to the Holy Spirit’s call to continue their faith journey as a new assembly of Believers, which meant leaving behind former denominations and some relationships. We asked Reverend Marvin G. Spence to be our pastor and shepherd. He was convicted in his spirit that we were committed Christians determined to ascend to be the discipled people we are called to be in Christ. He accepted our charge and began the work of becoming a church.

Under the leadership of several members and officers, by-laws where established and legal paperwork submitted to the proper authorities, and we were recognized as church under Wisconsin laws. Our Christian assembly was named Ascension Fellowship Church. We chose this name because for two reasons: 1. Our first service was on Ascension Sunday. 2. Despite the challenges, including naysaying from other Christians who failed to recognize our calling, we remained steadfast in our determination, emboldened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit to be who were called to be in Christ.

The first Church service was held on Ascension Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Clara Barton Elementary School gymnasium. Forty-six people were present as Rev. Marvin G. Spence shared with the congregation the new vision and journey to “Ascend to be the people God has called us to be” which reflects the attitude described in Ephesians 3: 13b—14, 19 (Don’t look back; press on; and live up). Reverend Marvin G. Spence was formally installed in November 2015, as Pastor Marvin G. Spence, Ascension Fellowship Church.  Ascension continued to hold worship services at Barton Elementary School through November 25, 2018.   

Others were drawn to Ascension’s light and our membership grew to over 60 members, so did our pastoral leadership. On June 12, 2016 we accepted Rev. Richard Strode Sr., his

 pastoral credentials and by unanimous vote received him as Asst. Pastor of Ascension Fellowship Church. Our membership continued to grow and so did the Holy Spirit’s call to own a building which would be available full-time for ministry, worship and outreach. We have many gifted and talented people who are wise in business and politics so we began our building search and came up with several options. No one is able to outdo the Lord.

Our testimony is that the Lord found us a church building (2429 W. Hampton Ave) which “is immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine.”  We have space to grow our ministries.

We held our first service here on December 2, 2018. Our first wedding on March 10, 2019. We work in Christian unity to encourage one another on our faith journey, lovingly share the gospel with others at their point of need and give God the glory for all that has been to make Ascension His church.