Jason and Gera Mann are the founders of Ascend. Jason serves as Executive Director and Senior Guide. Gera serves as Administrative Director and Site Facilitator.

 

Team Mann also includes Joshua, age 13, and Isabella, age 11.

 

Jason and Gera have been in student ministry for over two decades and have most recently worked with college students at the University of Arizona and the University of Texas.

 

Jason has been leading outdoor trips since 2003. He has backpacked and rock climbed extensively in various locations both in the US and internationally. Jason earned a Bachelors degree in youth ministry from East Texas Baptist University, a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree at Denver Seminary in the field of leadership.  Jason is certified as a Single Pitch Instructor by the American Mountain Guides Association, and is also certified as a Wilderness First Responder by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of the National Outdoor Leadership School.

 

Gera has 6 years of experience teaching at the high school level and holds a Bachelors degree in Chemistry from Texas A&M University and a Masters degree in Teaching and Teacher Education from the University of Arizona. Jason and Gera are passionate about seeing lives changed through dynamic experiential learning. They believe that the outdoors provides the perfect classroom for leadership training and personal spiritual growth.