Christ Centered,
Globally Purposed
Our Mission
Ascent College equips Spirit-empowered leaders to be passionate, principled, and practical ministers through Biblical education and leadership formation.
Passionate
We strive to create an atmosphere where students can grow into passionate followers of Jesus Christ.
Principled
We cultivate the call to ministry with a firm foundation in sound theological principles and Biblical knowledge.
Practical
We partner with the local church to encourage active learning via real-time, hands-on ministry service.
Our Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative written Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:21
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His personal future return to this earth in power and glory to rule a thousand years.
Matthew 1:23; Philippians 2:9-11
We believe the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ.
Romans 3:22-26; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9
We believe in water baptism by immersion.
Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16
We believe the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing for the human body in answer to believing prayer.
Isaiah 53:4,5; James 5:14-16
We believe in the resurrection of the saved to everlasting life and the lost to everlasting damnation.
Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:11-15
We believe in the indwelling and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit who enables the Christian to live a holy life.
Romans 8:11-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 John 5:18
We believe there is One God, eternally existent in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19
We believe in the blessed hope – the rapture of the Church at Christ’s coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Titus 2:13
We believe regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation.
Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,8
We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it.
Corinthians 12:4-10, 28
Our History
1996
Bethel Bible Institute (BBI) was founded by Dr. John Mannion in 1996 for the purpose of training missionaries and church leaders. Pastor Ron Johnson, who was a sectional presbyter with the Potomac District, assumed the presidency.
1997
By 1997, BBI was approved by the Potomac District of the Assemblies of God as a training institute to provide the educational requirements for credentialing ministers at the certification and licensing level with the Assemblies of God.
1998
In 1998, Rev. Stuart Ross was appointed as director to lead the school for training pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Christian education workers, and lay ministers. Rev. Ross was instrumental in positioning the school for the training of Hampton Master's Commission students and local pastors.
2002
In 2002, Pastor Ron Johnson appointed Dr. Terry Minter as President of Bethel Bible Institute. Pastor Johnson and Dr. Minter envisioned a four-year college and began the transition from a Bible Institute into a college that awards both bachelor and associate degrees.
2005
In 2005, Bethel College was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a non-profit corporation 501(c)3 and was certified to operate as an instate, non-profit college by Virginia. In 2013 Bethel College was granted accreditation by The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), 5575 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 26, Orlando, FL 32822-1781, 407- 207-0808.
2006
In 2006, Bethel College moved into a new facility with a new library and several new classrooms to be shared with Bethel Temple Church.
2017
In May 2017, Dr. Mark Wootton became the third president of Bethel College.
2019
In March 2019, Dr. Ron DeBerry was appointed by the board as the Interim President. In November 2019, Dr. Rob Rhoden became the president of Bethel College. Soon afterward, the College established an increased relationship with the Potomac Ministry Network and ultimately settled on its current name, Ascent College.
Location
Ascent College is centrally administered in northern Virginia at the Potomac Ministry Center at 14525 John Marshall Highway in Gainesville, Virginia. It has connection with local churches, called Partner Sites, where students can experience community, spiritual formation, practicums, and Christian service. Ascent College currently has on-campus courses at one Partner Site, Word of Life Church, in Springfield, Virginia, as well as at the main campus at the Potomac Ministry Center.
Our Expectation for Christ-Honoring Conduct
Ascent College is a community of Christ-centered individuals who embrace the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the core values of Ascent College are authentic spirituality, a Christ-centered worldview, character development of ethical living, servant leadership, cultural sensitivity, and academic and professional excellence.
As all members of this faith-based community have chosen to participate voluntarily, all students are obligated to the code of Scripture and community standards and behavior as outlined below.
Code of Conduct
As a Christ-follower and member of the community at Ascent College:
- ZI will practice spiritual disciplines.
- ZI will pursue academic integrity.
- ZI will respect the rights and property of others.
- ZI will avoid using alcohol, narcotics, tobacco, or other intoxicants either on or off campus premises.
- ZI will resolve conflict according to the model in Matthew 18:15-20.
- ZAs a representative of Christ, I will demonstrate compassion for others and a passion for the lost.
- ZI understand that attendance at offered chapel services and participation in Christian service is mandatory.
- ZI will respect the dignity of all persons and highly value the diversity of the body of Christ.
- ZI will discourage bigotry, slander, and gossip among the members of the community and refuse to engage in such behavior.
- ZI will avoid all sexually immoral behavior.
- ZI will honor the servant-leaders who watch over this community and cooperate with their leadership.
The Word of God and Prayer
Inasmuch as the Bible is inspired by God and is God’s revelation to humankind, all students are expected to study its contents daily in personal devotions. Likewise, students are expected to pray daily as an act of worship that glorifies God, reinforces our need for Him, and advances God’s purposes in the earth. Daily Bible study and prayer are the foundations upon which Ascent College builds a culture of academic excellence and leadership development.
Church Attendance
Ascent College supports and is committed to instilling the Biblical concept of the local church into the school’s framework. Thus, church attendance is mandatory for all with the expectation that students are actively engaged in their local services. Students involved with a Partner Site will attend the Partner Site church services and other spiritual activities as described by the Partner Site. Students not connected with a Partner Site will engage in practical ministry and spiritual development at a local church in their area.
Students, faculty, and staff of Ascent College are expected to maintain high standards of Christian conduct both on and off campus. Morally and biblically, certain practices are clearly wrong and should be avoided. These include substance abuse, stealing, slanderous or profane language, dishonesty, occult practices, addictions (mutilation, sexual addictions, eating disorders, drug addiction – both illegal and prescription), and sexual sins (premarital sex, adultery, pornography, and homosexuality). Attitudes such as greed, jealousy, pride, lust, bitterness, needless anger, an unforgiving spirit, discrimination, and prejudice are unacceptable at Ascent College. However, if you find that you are genuinely struggling with such issues, we advise you to seek the counsel of a faculty member.
The Bible does not provide specific teaching on all social practices but advocates self-restraint in behavior toward others. Therefore, any behavior that is considered detrimental to Christian character and witness is disapproved of strongly, and disciplinary action will be taken accordingly.
Students, faculty, and staff of Ascent College are expected to maintain high standards of Christian conduct both on and off campus. Morally and biblically, certain practices are clearly wrong and should be avoided. These include substance abuse, stealing, slanderous or profane language, dishonesty, occult practices, addictions (mutilation, sexual addictions, eating disorders, drug addiction – both illegal and prescription), and sexual sins (premarital sex, adultery, pornography, and homosexuality). Attitudes such as greed, jealousy, pride, lust, bitterness, needless anger, an unforgiving spirit, discrimination, and prejudice are unacceptable at Ascent College. However, if you find that you are genuinely struggling with such issues, we advise you to seek the counsel of a faculty member.
The Bible does not provide specific teaching on all social practices but advocates self-restraint in behavior toward others. Therefore, any behavior that is considered detrimental to Christian character and witness is disapproved of strongly, and disciplinary action will be taken accordingly.
Our Philosophy of Education
Ascent College intends for students to leave the school with the character evident of mature Christians and excellent academic training. Ascent College is able to provide comprehensive theological training, as well as the excellent practical tools necessary to equip students for a maximized ministry and life experience. It is the desire of Ascent College for each student to experience both the spirit of local church engagement and the academic training of the College. All the school’s course offerings are consistent with this stated philosophy and purpose.
Our Institutional Objectives
- Nurture students with skills and knowledge for Biblical competence.
- Develop students with broad knowledge in general education for a Christian worldview.
- Equip students to be servant leaders with practical ministry skills.
- Guide students in Spirit-empowered formation for Christian mission with their local church communities.
- Provide institutional support to students, faculty, and staff through administrative excellence, financial management, services, and learning resources.
- Cultivate growth in Ascent College financial resources and assets.
Governance
Ascent College is a not-for-profit, private college governed by a constitution and bylaws providing the basis for institutional administration and governance. A Board of Control exercises legal and fiduciary responsibility for oversight of institutional integrity, policies, resource development, and ongoing operations. The President of the College provides administrative leadership for the institution. The President has an administrative staff who provides guidance and oversees the day-to-day operations.
Please refer to the Ascent College Academic Catalog and Student Handbook for more detailed information and statements in full.
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Ascent College admits students of any race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs.
The College reserves the right to withdraw a student for what it considers to be a necessary cause at any time.