Our Staff

Scott is and elder and the lead pastor at Ascend Church. He was born in Chicago in 1976, and at 4, his family moved to Bonaire, where his parents were missionaries. He grew up loving the ocean and immersed in the local culture, learning Dutch and Papiamento. Despite challenges, Bonaire became a refuge for his family.

At 12, they moved to Quito, Ecuador, transitioning from a small island to a bustling city. This move was a significant adjustment, but it allowed Scott to learn Spanish and further embrace his identity as a third culture missionary kid.

Later, while attending JBU, Scott’s life was impacted deeply by the prayer movement and discipleship, it was during this time that he committed himself wholeheartedly to Jesus. This decision to follow the Lord eventually led him to meet Molly, his wife, and move with her and his four wondedrful children to Siloam Springs.

Now, He has been pastoring Ascend Church for over 10 years! His passion is to see families reconciled and transformed through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Justin serves as an Elder and as the Youth Coordinator for Ascend Church. He was born in Wichita, KS and grew up here in Siloam. He graduated from Siloam Springs High School and attended NWACC. During that season of life, he had a Divine hunger for God imparted as he began to seek out any and every church or spiritual mentor he could find to support him in the process of pursuing the Lord. Justin was marked for a life of prayer early in his journey when he joined himself to Antioch church and the Siloam Springs House of Prayer as a part of his ministry calling. He was soon sought out by local church leadership as an intern and put through extensive Biblical training. God used several people and organizations to invest in Justin’s journey, but he eventually ended up as a Student Pastor at a church in Texas called called Calvary Community Church. He was ordained and pastored there for about 3 years before God called him back to NWA.

Justin is married to his wife Renee, and they have two small children, Myles and Coen Johnson. Justin’s heart burns brightly for Jesus and seeing others discipled. He also enjoys the outdoors and exercise when he can find the spare time!

Lukas serves as Ascend’s operations manager, overseeing administration for the church. He became and ordained minister in 2011 and received an interdisciplinary BS in Religion and Global Studies from Liberty University in 2023. Lukas lived in Jerusalem, Israel for over six years, where he led the young adult ministry of Bridges for Peace. During that time, he met his wife and they had their son. They moved to Siloam Springs in 2023 and are falling more and more in love with their new community. His family is passionate about taking the Gospel of the Kingdom to the nations and desires to serve God in whatever capacity he leads them into. In particular, they love teaching, discipleship, and opening their home to pray, eat, and worship with friends.