About Us

Mark Hopkins serves as Pastor of Ministries here at The Ascent Church. He joins us after a long career with Fuller Theological Seminary and still serves as the senior associate professor of Leadership. He previously taught at Pepperdine University and has pastored churches in a small handful of states in the US for near 20 years. He has also been on church-planting teams in Russia in the mid-1900s, including directing a plant in St. Petersburg. When asked about his family, he says, “I am very happily married for almost 50 years to Ann, my covenant partner and friend! We have two married children and seven fabulous grandchildren, ages 3-19!”

How did you and your wife meet?

We met in 1967 in Houston, Texas where we lived across the street from one another for one year. She was 12; I was 14.

What are some of your favorite books?

Besides the Bible, I have enjoyed reading in the field of Church and Missions (my academic focus). Currently, I am enjoying reading a lot of adolescent science fiction with our grandchildren. My favorite by far has been The Wingfeather Saga, a four-book series written by Andrew Peterson. Though targeted at young readers, a number of my friends have enjoyed it as well! We have just begun The Bark of the Bog Owl, by Jonathan Rogers (book one of three in The Wilderking Trilogy). A lot of good life lessons in this one!

What are your favorite things to do?

I enjoy fly fishing when I get a chance … it’s been a while (too long!).

What do you see God doing at the Ascent that is especially exciting to you?

The Ascent Church is (1) growing in its love for God, (2) growing in developing disciples (apprentices of Jesus), and (3) growing numerically. There is a sense of warm, hospitable unity in our midst. All of this is a gift from God.

Jason Schott (ThD) has been at Ascent Church since 2018 where he has served as a lay elder, executive pastor, director of base camps (small groups) and men’s ministry prior to taking his current position. He served 25 years in the Air Force as a fighter pilot and test pilot and commanded numerous organizations. He and the love of his life, Emily, have two grown children and a beloved daughter-in-law.

How did you and your wife meet?

Emily and I met in Boston while I was in graduate school and she was working at a chiropractic office. We say that I came into the office with a pain in the neck…and left with one for the rest of my life (ha ha). It was love at first sight.

What are some of your favorite books?

The Bible…really. I read it cover to cover and start again. Pop-psychology, historical fiction.

What are your favorite things to do?

Doing nothing is a favorite thing–probably because that almost never happens. Spending time with Emily is THE favorite thing…and I get to do it daily. I’m blessed.

What do you see God doing at the Ascent that is especially exciting to you?

Emily and I chose Ascent among the many great churches in this area because of its emphasis on base camps. Living life in community is baked into Ascent’s DNA and we love it. We see and hear the stories of life transformation happening in base camps and know that people are being impacted for eternity.

Joel Gheen was the lead teaching elder at Alethia Christian Church in Colorado Springs for 7 years.  After many years in institutional finance, he is thrilled to be able to focus on pastoral ministry! Joel has an Economics degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a MBA from the University of Maryland. He is working on completing a Master’s in Divinity at Denver Seminary. We recently asked him a few questions:

How did you and Rachel meet?

This is a fun question because we met at Lewis-Palmer Middle School right next to the Ascent Church, and we actually used to attend student youth group at the Ascent Church (then “Tri-Lakes Chapel”) back when we were students!  We met in 8^th grade on the first day of school when I was the new kid in band class and Rachel was the cute flute player who was nice to me. I liked her all through high school, but we didn’t date each other until college after we both graduated from Lewis-Palmer High School (back before there was a Palmer Ridge High School). Rachel and I have four kids and we celebrated our 20^th wedding anniversary last summer.

Tell us about your kids. 

I have a girl, then two boys, then another girl. They are a lot of fun and keep us plenty busy between music, sports, and activities. They all love being part of The Ascent Church’s Kids Ministry and Student Ministry. They have attended Monument Academy schools and are moving into the great District 38 high schools. It’s fun to see them starting to have some of the same experiences in some of the same places as Rachel and I had as when we attended high school back when Monument was a much smaller town!

What are some of your favorite books?

I love books that make me a little uncomfortable or show me new ways of thinking. I’ve really appreciated The Lord by Romano Guardini, and I often return to The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. Imagine the God of Heaven by John Burke is a book I often recommend to people. I also do a lot of reading in ancient material including the Apocryphal materials, Dead Sea Scroll material like the Book of Enoch, and other ancient texts like the Enuma Elish, the Ba’al Cycles, Atrahasis, and others because it’s important to understand the context of the cultures where Biblical teaching and events were taking place. Of course, these days I’m frequently referencing commentaries and texts by Denver Seminary faculty like Blomberg, Matthewson and Hess. Since I love to run, I read books on running and endurance sports; Run Elite by Andrew Snow is a good one, and Matt Fitzgerald’s material is quite helpful. For fiction pleasure reading, I enjoy science fiction and similar “what if” scenarios.  I recently devoured Red Rising by Pierce Brown and I was very impressed with that debut novel. I also enjoy good thrillers including some of Stephen King’s work, especially his short stories.

Favorite sports teams?

Most of my sports attention is focused on helping coach the local track and cross-country teams! I ran on Lewis-Palmer’s state championship XC team back in the day, and it’s a blast to help carry on the tradition of running excellence among students in Monument, including Monument Academy and Palmer Ridge. We have a disproportionate number of gifted endurance athletes in this district and it’s a true honor to work with them… not to mention it helps keep me in good shape!

Mark Tedder is a worship leader, pastor, and former coffee farmer. He regularly leads worship at The Ascent Church in Monument, CO, and has spent over 35 years serving as a “musicianary,” carrying the message of Jesus through music across the globe.

What is Worshiplanet, and what do you do through it?

My wife, Carrie, and I founded Worshiplanet, an international worship-equipping ministry. Through it, I’ve traveled to more than 58 nations, mentoring and training worship leaders, pastors, and musicians at local and national levels.

Where has your ministry taken you, and what doors has music opened?

I’ve lived for seasons in the UK, Russia, the Czech Republic, and China. Music has opened surprising doors—clubs in Cairo, restaurants in Italy, French cafés, schools in Mongolia, and concert halls across China. I’ve even played concerts in North Korea and Tibet, led worship training in Myanmar, and recently shared music throughout Israel. I feel especially called to places where the gospel is restricted or forbidden.

Why focus on Israel now, and what does “music as medicine” look like?

Much of my current focus is Israel, a nation at war on many fronts. Like David soothing Saul (1 Samuel 16:23), I use “music as medicine” to bring peace and healing. Carrie and I train emerging Messianic worship leaders and perform in schools, hospitals for wounded soldiers, refugee shelters, kibbutzim, and at special concerts for Holocaust survivors.

What ultimately drives your ministry?

Above all, I’m passionate about making disciples and raising up worshipers of Yeshua who carry hope through music. That’s the heartbeat behind everything I do.

Tell us about your family.

Carrie and I have two sons and seven grandchildren. They call us “Grandude” and “G,” and we absolutely love it.

Jake Hotzfield serves as our Interim Student Director at The Ascent Church. He and his wife, Jubilee, are raising two energetic boys—Jethro and Jericho—and they love being part of this community. Jake’s heart is simple and steady: introduce students to Jesus, help them grow in faith, and walk with families through the unique challenges of the teen years.

How did you start serving students, and what still drives you today?

I began in college, leading small groups for high schoolers at my church. I then volunteered three years with Young Life, focusing on middle schoolers in diverse settings, followed by three years on Young Life outreach staff in Monument. Those experiences cemented my calling: share the gospel with students who don’t yet know Jesus and help believing students build a durable faith that lasts beyond graduation.

What does your student ministry look like at The Ascent, and how do you involve parents?

At The Ascent, I lead a Christ-centered, relationship-driven ministry for middle and high school students. We teach from Scripture and lean into small groups where students are known by name and mentored by caring adult leaders. Whether it’s weekly gatherings, retreats, or service projects, our aim is a safe, welcoming place to belong, ask honest questions, and take next steps with Jesus. I partner closely with parents through clear communication, practical resources, and regular touchpoints—because discipleship is strongest when church and home work together.

How do you connect with teens in today’s fast-paced, digital world?

I understand their world—phones always nearby, schedules packed, and pressure from every direction. I meet students with patience, grace, and truth, inviting them to follow Jesus in the everyday: at school, at home, on their teams, and online.

What’s your ultimate passion for students?

Above all, I’m passionate about making disciples who love God, love people, and carry the hope of the gospel into their world. I can’t wait to meet your teen and help them find their place in God’s story.

How did you first sense God calling you into ministry, and what led you to join The Ascent Church?

I first sensed God’s call to ministry when I was 17 years old. At the time, I didn’t know exactly what kind of full-time ministry He was leading me toward, but over the years God made the call to pastoral ministry unmistakably clear. While serving in hospice care as a Faith-Based Liaison, I began to feel a renewed pull toward full-time ministry—specifically in the area of strengthening marriages and families. After much prayer and several conversations with members of The Ascent Church pastoral team, Jeannine and I sensed God giving us a clear “green light” to step forward. I officially joined the pastoral staff as the Marriage and Family Pastor on September 2, 2025, and it’s been an incredible joy to be part of what God is doing here.

Tell us a little about your family—how did you and your wife meet, and what do you enjoy doing together?

Jeannine and I first met as teenagers in our church, serving together in youth ministry. Years later, while attending separate colleges in Colorado, our friendship grew into love. We’ve been married since 1995, and Jeannine now serves as a dedicated schoolteacher specializing in math and social studies. God has blessed us with three amazing adult children and one wonderful daughter-in-law: Kaleb and his wife, Alexis; Jared; and Jenisah. We recently stepped into a new season as empty nesters—grateful for all God has done and expectant for what’s ahead. We love spending time together through date nights, family gatherings, vacations, and recording episodes of The Favorite Marriage Podcast, where we help couples build stronger relationships. As proud native Coloradans, we’re also big fans of all our local sports teams—go Colorado!

What are a few of your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that have inspired your faith or ministry?

Outside of the Bible, one of my favorite books is The Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards—a powerful reminder about humility, brokenness, and God’s refining process in leadership. I revisit it at least once a year. Another book that has deeply influenced my ministry is Kingdom Marriage by Dr. Tony Evans, which beautifully connects the covenant of marriage to God’s greater kingdom purpose. Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders also played a major role in shaping my understanding of servant leadership early on. I also enjoy listening to podcasts focused on marriage and family life—anything that encourages healthy relationships and biblical growth inspires me.

What excites you most about what God is doing through Family and Marriage Ministries at The Ascent right now?

I’m deeply excited about the spiritual health, growth, and unity we’re seeing within The Ascent Church family. God is clearly at work raising up disciples and strengthening homes. Monument is a growing community filled with families who are hungry for connection and purpose—and that presents a beautiful opportunity for ministry. My heart is to see marriages restored, families strengthened, and generations transformed by the gospel—one heart at a time. I truly believe the best days for Family and Marriage Ministries at The Ascent are still ahead.