“So what exactly is Ascend?” 

What an excellent question – we’re so glad you asked! 

Ascend, at its core, trains young adults to thrive by helping them understand and pursue the calling God has given them in the context of their life’s purpose. Our goal is to help students effectively serve God and others through committed action in faithful stewardship, healthy relationships, and effective vocation. We facilitate this by allowing students to experience the best of both worlds: deep local connection and national-level opportunities.

Live and Work in Your Local Community

Unlike traditional college models that uproot students from their homes and communities, Ascend allows young adults to remain embedded in their already-existing spheres of influence. As a first-year Ascend student, you’ll live and work in your local context—connected to your church, job, and family—while participating in a national program that challenges you to grow alongside like-minded peers. This approach gives you the chance to apply what you’re learning in real-time. Whether you’re working a part-time job, serving at your church, or building relationships in your hometown, Ascend is designed to integrate with your real life—not pull you away from it.

Attend Live Events Every 12 Weeks

Every 12 weeks, your online experience turns into real-world momentum through live events. These four events are core milestones in the Ascend journey:

APEX – Orientation and team formation. You’ll meet your team and leaders in person for the first time, engage in training, be challenged by world-class speakers, and set the tone for your year, all within the stunning backdrop of northern Michigan.

Basecamp – A deep dive into resilience, task management, and ownership. You’ll develop new disciplines, reflect on challenges, and reset with your team in the picturesque hills of Pennsylvania.

Ridgeline – A hands-on experience with team challenges, leadership in action, and high-intensity collaboration. This is where your skills meet the real world, all happening in real time on the beach in Panama City, Florida.

Capstone – A reflective, academic gathering in the Colorado Rockies. You’ll tell your story, celebrate your progress, and dig deeper into the greater narrative God is writing for your life.

These events are more than just retreats—they are accelerators. Each one is uniquely designed to give students the time and space to connect deeply with peers and mentors, hone real-world skills, all while forging life-long friendships and unforgettable memories.

Monthly Webinars and Team Calls

In the Ascend program, we believe that community doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through rhythm. 

Each month, you’ll join your team for a live video call to discuss what you’re learning, tackle projects, and encourage one another. 

You’ll also have access to monthly webinars that feature special guests, leadership training, and new ideas that expand your view of what’s possible. 

These ongoing touchpoints keep you aligned, accountable, and connected.

Students and leaders are also connected on Slack, a live messaging platform where teams can organize, discuss, and grow closer together through daily communication and collaboration.

Courses That Build Purpose and Leadership

By the end of your first year in Ascend, you’ll complete four main online courses:

Navigate – Our life purpose course. You’ll explore how God has uniquely designed you—your gifts, passions, experiences—and what that means for your future.

Signature Leadership Series – A series of three Christian leadership courses that teach you how to steward your influence wisely, love others well, and live with integrity.

For students interested in pursuing college credit, we offer a degree track that includes up to seven additional accredited courses, totaling 30 transferable college credits. Whether you’re looking for a light academic load or planning toward a full degree, we help you build a path that fits.

Personal Projects that Apply What You Learn

Every student in Ascend plans, executes, and reports on a 40-hour personal project. 

These projects can range from launching a podcast to writing a book, organizing a community event, building a business plan, or developing a creative portfolio. 

The goal isn’t just to complete something—it’s to own something. 

Your project is designed to reflect your interests, your growth, and your ability to bring an idea to life.

Career Tracks for Creative and Professional Growth

For students ready to dive deeper, Ascend offers Career Tracks—year-long intensives in high-impact, skill-based areas. These include:

• Professional Development
• Videography and Production
• Writing and Publishing
• Art and Design
• Digital Marketing & Entrepreneurship
• AI for the Greater Good

Each track equips students to use their God-given gifts to make money, serve others, and create meaningful work. 

With mentorship, training, and real-world application, students emerge with both clarity and capability.

The Outcomes We’re Aiming For

Ultimately, everything in Ascend is designed to help students:

• Understand and pursue their calling to love God with heart, mind, soul, and strength—and love others as themselves
• Know the context and purpose of their life, and why hope and resilience matter
• Take full ownership of their decisions, habits, and direction
• Become equipped to serve God and others through action, stewardship, relationships, and vocation

This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about transformation that sticks.

Your Next Step

Some students come into Ascend unsure of what’s next. They’re looking for direction, coaching, and a place to figure things out. For these students, we often recommend starting with Navigate and our Signature Leadership Courses. These lay a solid foundation and often lead to greater clarity—whether that means pursuing college credit, joining a Career Track, or stepping into a new calling.

Other students enter the program already passionate and focused. They use Ascend as a launchpad: a way to sharpen their skills, strengthen their faith, and gain the support they need to move forward with confidence.

Wherever you’re coming from, Ascend meets you there—and helps you move forward. Whether you’re pursuing a degree, building a career, or still figuring it out, we’d love to talk and help you create a custom plan for what comes next.

Ready to take your next step? Let’s build what’s next—together.