Dean & Joan

Prior to joining Ascension as charter members, Dean & Joan were members at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wichita. However, since Ascension was closer to where they lived by Maize, they began attending Ascension. Joan’s parents, Mary & Dave, and brother and sister-in-law, Gary & Theresa, were also charter members.

One of their fondest memories is of meeting in the parsonage basement and later, the big area in the 4-H building, which didn’t stay ‘big’ for long with all the new families joining. It was a good time to get to know each family as they joined!

One of the biggest changes at Ascension has been in the services. For years Ascension had the same hymnal, the same services, and was quite formal, something to which Joan was accustomed. Now, all the services seem less formal, although some of the older members still prefer a formal service.

Back in the 1960’s, Joan drove a school bus, picking up students from various farms surrounded by wheat fields in what is now the current areas of Reflection Ridge, Sterling Farms, and Chadsworth. Currently, 21^st and Maize Road competes with Rock Road in shopping and traffic. Joan is sad to have all the wonderful farms and wetlands torn up for businesses and housing. All of her best friends lived on the large farms with dairy facilities, large gardens, etc.

Joan shared a story of God’s work through Ascension that began during the years she was a Sunday School teacher. She said it seemed like the kids had lots of pennies and she felt as though it would be easier to get the kids involved with giving to a person to whom they could put a name. Joan went to Pastor Pool with her idea. He happened to have a brochure regarding the Children’s Christian Concern Society. After Joan talked to (Dr.) Edie, the 3^rd and 4^th grade children Joan taught began to share their offering to benefit a Guatemalan boy called “Oscar”. Their endeavor grew to include all the children attending Ascension’s Sunday School. Edie would come to talk and bring things to the children. Polly (Scott’s wife at that time) helped Joan teach and as the program grew, so did the money, which Scott oversaw and mailed in. Oscar was a 6 year old who walked 6 miles just to go to school. The Sunday School money made it possible for him to stay at the mission during the week, receiving room and board as well as learning of the wonders of our Triune God. Oscar graduated and eventually became a superintendent of the school, where he could share first-hand with others how God had touched his life and how those with extreme difficulties and poverty are never forgotten to Him!