• Michael Kytka

    Lead Pastor

    As the lead pastor of Ascension Church, Michael loves sharing his passion for Christ with his congregation, seekers, and skeptics and enjoys thinking through some of the common intellectual questions people have about the Christian faith. Michael also counts Tim Keller a large influence on his formation as a Christian and as a pastor. He is grateful for how the Lord used Keller in New York City. 


    After years of serving in churches across four boroughs of New York City, Michael obtained his Masters of Divinity from Covenant College in St. Louis and went on to plant Ascension in Forest Hills in 2006. He is currently working on his doctorate at Covenant on the role of emotion in pastoral care.


    Michael is happily married to Roseann since 1991 with two adult children, Michael Jr. and Alexandra.  You may be able to find him reading about the intellectual defense of the Christian faith, inviting his friends to jazz and rock concerts, or watching the Yankees. 


    A St. Louis illustrator writes an interesting account of his encounter with Michael:


    The Saint
    The Saint II

  • roseann kytka

    Director of childhood education and DIrector of logistics & events

    With two Master's Degrees in Elementary and Special Education, Roseann has taught in both public and private schools for over 25 years. She currently teaches a class of elementary-aged children with autism. She has been the Director of Childhood Education since Ascension’s inception, overseeing both Sunday Education programs for infants to fifth grade and running years of Vacation Bible School camps, EasterFest, ChristmasFest, and a variety of other events. 


    She is mother to Michael Jr. and Alexandra, and wife to Pastor Michael. A native New Yorker, she has been a huge Billy Joel fan since she was a teenager and makes the best meatballs in the city (at least according to her family).


  • Joanne lu

    administrator

    A founding member of Ascension, Joanne has lived with her husband and two children in Forest Hills for more than a decade. She believes Forest Hills to have just the right blend of city, greenery, and furry animals. 

  • Elizabeth moy

    director of communications

    Currently working towards her Masters degree in Corporate Communications from Baruch College at the City University of New York, Elizabeth works with the leadership and communications team to send out e-blasts, create weekly slides, build relationships with members and regular attenders, and practically anything else that needs to be done! In her free time, you can find Liz dancing to 80s music or spending time with her family.