This Sunday our guest preacher is the Rev. James Kniseley. He served Ascension from 1979-1988. Having had special training in Church Development, Rev. Kniseley developed a strong organizational structure and extensive parish program. He encouraged the call of an Associate in Ministry (Ann Evans) who among other things organized the JOY (Just Older Youth) group which ministered to seniors.
He also served as mentor for two Intern Pastors, Todd Substad and David Brodeen, whose ministry expanded the youth program. He supervised the building of a new parish/fellowship hall and organized a team of Ascension members to restore the burned out farmhouse at Yolijiwa. He was instrumental in the purchase of the Rogers Ditigal Organ still in use today.
Prior to his call to Ascension he served congregations in Glendale, CA and Linsborg, KS. After he left Ascension he served as director of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Southern California and later as pastor of Church of the Foothills, La Canada, CA. He is presently the pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA where he shares ministry with his wife Pastor Carol J. Haynes-Kniseley.