Staff

Pastoral Staff

Senior Pastor  

About the Opportunity
Ascension Baptist Church is a theologically grounded, community-engaged congregation in Gonzales, Louisiana, prayerfully seeking its next Senior Pastor. We adhere to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and are committed to faithful expository preaching, meaningful discipleship, and active community service. As one of Louisiana’s fastest-growing parishes, Ascension Parish offers an exceptional context for ministry with lasting impact.
Position Overview
The Senior Pastor will serve as the primary spiritual leader, preacher, and vision-caster for the congregation, working in close partnership with the deacon body and ministry staff to shepherd, equip, and mobilize the church toward its God-given mission.
Qualifications
•        Full affirmation of and alignment with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000
•        10 years minimum of pastoral ministry experience with demonstrated fruit
•        Expository preaching ability with clarity, conviction, and practical application
•        Demonstrated vision for reaching youth, young adults, and young families
•        Track record of, or clear strategy for, community outreach and engagement
•        Collaborative leadership style; ability to develop and empower other leaders
•        Formal theological education preferred; combination of education and proven experience considered
 
Location Highlights
Gonzales, Louisiana sits at the center of Ascension Parish — one of the state’s fastest-growing regions, located conveniently between Baton Rouge and the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area. The community offers excellent schools, a strong civic culture, affordable family living, and a rapidly expanding mission field.

How to Apply
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a résumé, pastoral biography, written statement of faith, and links or recordings of recent sermons to ascensionpastorsearch@gmail.com. All inquiries are handled with full confidentiality and professional discretion.
Referrals are welcome. If you know a pastor who may be prayerfully considering a transition, please share this opportunity or reach out directly.

William "Red" Thornton

Minister of Music

Having served churches in Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida and Georgia, he and his wife Jo Ann came to Ascension in July of 2013.  He has served as a Worship Pastor/Minister of Music for over 40 years and never tires of the opportunity to lead God’s church in worship and in celebration of the living and loving God.  “It is my heart’s desire to see the church grow in its passion for the Lord as we worship God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  It is our Biblical mandate to be a people of worship and praise as we come together as a church family.”  This is his purpose in leading Ascension Baptist to be a worshipping church.  
He also has the privilege and pleasure to give leadership to the Sr. Adult Ministry of Ascension, The Young at Heart Ministry, and enjoys their time together each month as they meet for lunch and as they take excursions around the community and state.  
He and JoAnn have three sons Nathan, Joel, and Luke. They also have nine grandchildren.

Support Staff

Gayle Jones

Office Manager