Hello. It’s nice to meet you.
Meet Scott.
Scott and Cara moved to the Valley from the Dallas/ Fort Worth area in 2005 with their first child on the way. Having worked with students, young adults and men’s ministries since 2003 Scott has a great understanding of what people need to live healthy lives: a deep community and strong faith. Over the last seven years Ascend groups have organically gone from one group to thirteen. Scott and Cara have three kids, all red heads, and love doing life in our small mountain town. Helping people take their next step towards God through laid back conversations is their passion.Meet our board.
Ascend’s Board of Directors are a collection of men and women who have actively been involved in Ascend and have a heartbeat to further on the ministry. DAVID ADKINS
Originally from Minnesota, David moved to Vail in 1990 for a ski season in between college in Santa Barbara and graduate school at the University of Colorado, Boulder. While in Vail, David met Jennifer, the love of his life, and in 1992 they were married and have raised 2 wonderful daughters, Charlotte and Adaline. David earned an MBA and was a financial planner for 2 years before returning to Vail. He began his real estate career in the Vail Valley in 1995. David has been involved in the Ascend ministry for the past 3 years and currently acts as the Chairman of the Board. David also enjoys skiing, snowmobiling, golfing, biking, kiteboarding and just about anything outside. He is also a private pilot and enjoys traveling.
ANNE BARNETT
My husband, Bart, and I moved to the Vail Valley after getting married 31 years ago. We have two children, Sonya, 27, and Blu, 21. Both of our children were involved with Young life which is where we met Scott Leonard who helped us renew our journey with Christ. Bart and I are now both in small groups with Ascend. I have a background in sales and a passion for helping others. I have served as the volunteer board chair for our local Salvation Army for the past seven years. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring new cultures, and practicing French and Spanish.
ALLEN KIRKLEY
The Kirkley’s primary home for decades was Louisiana where Allen was in the oil and gas business. The family enjoyed annual ski vacations and about 20 years bought their first house in the Vail Valley. Allen is retired from the working world and he and Colleen are now CO residents and make Arrowhead their primary year-round home. They enjoy being outdoors, especially golf in the summer and skiing in the winter. They are blessed with 2 of their 3 kids (and soon to be 4 of their 6 grandkids) nearby in Denver so the house is more often busy than quiet. Allen finds great spiritual fulfillment and growth through his involvement with Ascend.
PABLO FERNANDEZ
Originally from Mexico, Pablo has been in the Vail Valley for 28 years. He and his wife, Sofia, have three beautiful children. Pablo’s past mission experience include serving in YWAM (Youth With a Mission). He now works with vacation rentals and property management. In his free time he enjoys riding dirt bikes.
JERRY OLIVER
Jerry arrived in the Vail Valley in 1986. He retired after a 39-year career as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Six Flags Inc., Vail Resorts Inc., and West Star Banks Inc., (now US Bank). His early childhood years and education were in the Deep South of Mississippi. Both gave him an accent he’s asked about it constantly in Colorado! Jerry graduated from Ole Miss with a business degree in 1970. He received a Naval Commission after college and served 4 years during the Vietnam War until 1973. From there he returned to Atlanta to start his work career which took him to Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago before landing in Vail.
Jerry was married 30 years to Carole, blessed with a son and daughter and became a widow in 2008. He remarried in 2011 to Kathy. They now have 5 children and 7 grandchildren together. Some of things we most enjoy are attending The Vail Church, Bible Study, Golf, Skiing, cooking and being with family and good friends in this spectacular part of the county.
Additional Board Members include: Brandon Toms, Jeff McAbee and Chris Scherpf.
Honorary Board Members include: Joel Dekanich and Scot Webster
Our Groups
Monday
EDWARDS 7:30am
Tuesday
MEN’S GROUP: Edwards 7:30 a.m.
MEN’S GROUP: Edwards 7:30 a.m.
MEN’S GROUP: Edwards 7:30 a.m.
MEN’S GROUP: Eagle 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday
MEN’S GROUP: Edwards 7:30 a.m.
MEN’S GROUP: Edwards 7:30 a.m.
MEN’S GROUP: Edwards 7:30 a.m.
WOMEN’S GROUP: Edwards 9:00 a.m.
ARROWHEAD SKIN: Arrowhead 5:45 p.m.
Thursday
MEN’S GROUP: Edwards 7:30 a.m.
MEN’S GROUP: Eagle 7:30 a.m.
WOMEN’S GROUP: Edwards 9:00 a.m.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Avon 7:00 a.m.
MEN’S GROUP: Edwards 12:00 p.m.