Our Staff

Meet our leadership

Say hello to the staff at Church of the Ascension. 
Contact us by clicking here.

Fr. Ryan Cook
Rector

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With over 20 years in Christian ministry, Fr. Ryan Cook has worked in young adult ministry, Christian education, university chaplaincy and as a parish priest. Most recently, alongside his interim parish role, Fr. Ryan has been serving as a Manager at the Union Gospel Mission. This mission supports those caught in homelessness and drug addiction, in Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside.



Fr. Ryan spent the first ten years of ministry as a pastor, in a non-denominational church, until becoming an Anglican in 2010. He was subsequently ordained in the Church of England, Diocese of Liverpool. His formation for the Priesthood took place at Regent College, Vancouver, and All Saints Center for Mission and Ministry in England. He holds a Diploma in Christian Ministry, a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Theology, an additional Master’s Degree in Practical Theology, and is presently pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry through Trinity Western University.



Fr. Ryan has a passion for the church to become a robust reflection of Christ in the community. He carries a love for the poor, a commitment to biblical preaching, and a growing interest in healing and spiritual formation.

Fr. Ryan has been married to his wife, Chantelle, for almost 21 years.  Chantelle presently works in the film industry and enjoys painting and travel. Together they have three kids: Judah (19), Anna (17) and Greyson (16).

Erika Johnson
Presiding Officer

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Erika Johnson joined Ascension in 2009, with her now, late-husband, Bob. She and her children continue to grow in their faith, and enjoy the fellowship of their church family. Before serving on the vestry, and as Sr. Warden, Erika served on the leadership team of the Women’s Ministry and as the LEM/Lector Ministry head. She continues to serve as a LEM, Lector, conduct Acolyte training, and is blessed to serve as the Presiding Officer of Ascension.
Rev. Canon Christopher Brathwaite
Extended Supply Priest
 
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Bio coming soon…

Rev. Dr. Bob Johnson
Associate for Liturgy and Music

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Bob has been minister of music at Church of the Ascension since 2009. He and his wife Catherine have one daughter, Kiersten. His passion is to see people transformed by the presence and power of God as they join together in worship. In addition to ministry as a church music director, Bob’s ministry has taken him throughout the United States and abroad to teach music and worship at conferences and local church events representing a wide variety of denominations and spiritual traditions.

Rev. Debby Buechner
Deacon

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I’ve been a Deacon with Church of the Ascension for 16 years, I also oversee The Women’s Encouragement Bible Study. I am active with The Order of St. Luke. I am Chaplain to Daughter’s of the King, and Spiritual Director to Kairos Outside.

Rev. Rusty Hazelrigg

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Deacon Rusty’s passion is for Outreach and Evangelism to connect with not only the “churched” but the “unchurched.” The mission is to reach out to the working families that are “too busy” to attend church on Sunday mornings. Within the church he is active in the Men’s Ministry, Building & Grounds, and the Memorial Garden ministries.

Rev. Sarah Bronos
Retired Associate for Healing Ministry

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Rev’d Sarah was Director of Adult and Children’s Christian Formation ministries at All Saints, Winter Park for nine years, and associate priest at the then-new mission plant in Oviedo for two years. She has most recently been the Rector of Church of the Good Shepherd in Maitland for almost nine years, retiring in May 2018.
Mercy Bruce-Amanquah
Office Administrator

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Mercy and her daughters (Nana and Maa) have been members of Church of the Ascension since 2013. She was raised as an Anglican and has been a member of different Anglican churches globally. In her professional life, she has worked in HR and the administration space over her whole career.  She joined the staff of COTA in 2022 as our Parish Administrator.  
Mercy (who is a member of the Daughters of the King) looks forward to welcoming you to our church and to sharing the love of Jesus with members and visitors.

Siju John
Technology and Media Coordinator

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Siju John has been a parishioner at Church of the Ascension since 2003. He joined the staff as Children’s Ministry Coordinator in April 2020 to work with families and volunteers for Sunday programming, Vacation Bible School and other family events.

In June 2023, he transitioned into the Technology and Media Coordinator role, where he serves with our AV volunteers to optimize our online services along with maintaining our church equipment. 

Doug Webber
Financial Administrator

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Michele Gladding
COOP Preschool Director

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Anna Snider, our Children's Coordinator

Anna Snider
Children’s Coordinator

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Coming from Jamaica – Anna has recently moved back to the States to live and work. She has worked closely with Children over the past 5 years from private tutoring to running a Preschool Co-Op. She joined the staff as Children’s Ministry Coordinator in April 2023 and currently works with families and volunteers for Sunday Programming, Vacation Bible School and other family events throughout the year. Anna is excited to build a loving christ-centered community here at Church of the Ascension and guide the children here in their relationship with Christ.

Our Vestry

Kathryn Angulo
Jeff Arnold
Beckie Bass

Erika Johnson, Sr. Warden
Michelle Lewis
Philip Manno
Clayton Williams

 

Mark Peebles, Jr. Warden
Kathy Roach
Joe Warren

DISCIPLES MAKING DISCIPLES

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

 

CONTACT US

4950 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd.
Orlando FL 32819

[email protected]

(407) 876-3480

Mailing Address

PO Box 3474, Windermere, FL 34786