Board Leadership

Superintendent, Potomac Ministry Network

Rev. Ricks holds her Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Office Administration and Management from Virginia Peninsula Community College and her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Organizational Leadership and Management from Regent University. A retired executive assistant in the Corporate Law department at Huntington Ingalls Industries and credential minister with the Assemblies of God, Rev. Ricks serves as the Executive Pastor and Director of Women’s Ministry at Bethel Temple Church in Hampton, Virginia. In addition to her service to Ascent College, Rev. Ricks also serves on the Church Advisory Council for Freekind and is a member of the leadership team for Women Who Lead with the Potomac Ministry Network. 

“It is my honor to serve on the Board of Ascent College, to have an up close and personal view of leaders being equipped and developed in their call to Kingdom ministry.”

Board Secretary

Dr. Kramer holds his Master of Arts (MA) in Christian Leadership, having completed his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Bible at the University of Valley Forge and his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Leadership at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS). He serves as the Lead Pastor of LightHouse Church in Gloucester, Virginia. Dr. Kramer has certifications in both leadership and congregational coaching, having preached the gospel and taught organizational leadership in thirty different nations. His primary passions are his wife and family, along with a deep love for entrepreneurism, leadership, networking, and fly fishing. Communities under his leadership include Light Lights Childcare Center and Legacy Springs Senior Living Community (coming soon). 

After 22 years of service to the U.S. State Department, as a Diplomatic Security Special Investigator serving the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, Tanzania, Senegal, Burkina Faso, France, Switzerland, and Greece, Sherilynn now serves as an educator in Fairfax County. A  mother of three, married to her husband, Alex, she received the World Changers Award in 2009, presented by Bethany University for her humanitarian work in Burkina Faso. She was also awarded the Secretary of State Award (SOSA) in 2008 by the U.S. State Department in recognition of her work with orphans and preschool-aged children in Burkina Faso. She also serves as a member of the Board for Convoy of Hope. 

A recent graduate of Ascent College with his Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership (BAML) with a concentration in Ministerial Leadership, Pastor Stephen has served as the Lead Pastor at Faith Assembly Church in Winterville, North Carolina since 2016.

Robert McDowell is a retired Air Force Communications Officer and intelligence/communications program manager. A lifelong learner, he has successfully completed his Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate in Science (AS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), and Master of Public Administration (MPA) in various subjects. He has served in various ministry leadership roles, including pastor, elder, deacon, and board member.

Rev. John C. Rajan is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. Married with one daughter, he has participated in multiple outreach and overseas ministries, utilizing his proficiency in three languages as a key connector. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering from Karunya University in India and has also completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Regent University and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Interdisciplinary Studies. His learning continues as he is currently pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Management. He is an esteemed member of the business faculty at ECPI University and was recently elected as the new Treasurer for the AG India Fellowship.

Frederick Earl Virtucio is originally from the Philippines and migrated with his family to Norfolk in 1984 before settling in Virginia Beach, which he has called home for the past 39 years. He honorably served in the United States Navy within the submarine squadron community and has spent the last 25 years operating a family-owned assisted living facility in Virginia Beach. He is married to his wife Margie, a nurse practitioner, and they are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in 2026; together they have four children whose careers span government consulting, healthcare, technology, and business, including roles with Accenture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and IBM, with degrees from George Mason University, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Frederick holds a B.S. in Health Care Management and an M.S. in Hospital Administration from Old Dominion University, an M.A. in Practical Theology from Regent University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Strategic Leadership there. Ordained with the Assemblies of God, he serves as Lead Pastor of Freedom Church Virginia Beach and holds multiple national and global ministry leadership roles. He is deeply committed to global missions and church planting, co-founding International Community Leadership Initiatives Philippines (iCLIP) and partnering with International Cooperating Ministries to help establish 17 church buildings, a Hope Center, and 90 daughter churches across the Philippines. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, traveling, cruising, and cheering on the Washington Commanders.