ASCENSION

Rich Secrist founder and lead vocalist of Ascension started in music when he was 14 years old. He started by playing guitar in secular groups. When Rich came to know the Lord at age 18 God put a new song in his heart. Rich had a burning desire to serve God through music. Under God's influence Rich found he had the ability to write music. This lead to several years of refining his talents with other local Christian bands.

In 1994 he felt God leading him to do more. So rich left the band he was with and went out on his own to stad Ascension. The name Ascension came from a sermon. The preacher said that as Christians we must ascend to higher levels. On his first project" Show Me" Rich played all the instruments and recorded all the vocals. During the recording of the last song on the Show Me project he invited Don Evangelo to play keyboards.

Over the next year Rich realized that God had bigger plans for Ascension. Rich and Don prayed that God would lead a bassist and drummer to Ascension. Within a short time God answered their prayers when he sent them Tom Carle to audition for the part of bassist. Drummer Rick Faut-was added shortly thereafter. They IG i' IBd there skills as a band of playing local churches and coffee houses.

In late 1995 they started to work on there next project "Changes". The Changes project was finished in early 1996 and that was followed up with a national mail out to radio stations across the country. During this time the song Spiritual Warfare was starting to gain some attention. However it wasn't until 1997 when things began to really open up for Ascension.

In early 1997 the band was contacted to open at a benefit with New Identity, Jackson Finch, and Age of Faith. Other benefits followed and Ascension became fairly well known locally. At the end of 1997 Rick Faul decided to leave the band to pursue other interests. Within weeks the Lord opened the door and Carl Harris became the new drummer.

Through a lot of prayer and hard work God opened the door for Ascensions first web page. God continues to bless the band in January 1998 Ascension struck a deal with Juke Box Media for national and international distribution of Changes. Ascension is currently in the studio working on there next project which should be done by mid 1998. They continue to pray for Gods hand to remain on there ministry and pray for his guidance in the future.

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Ascension fan # Since 7-14-98