Leadership / Staff

The Rev. Javier Garcia Ocampo

Rector

Javier Garcia Ocampo is from Mexico City. He began his ministry at Ascension in the Summer of 2014 after serving in the Diocese of Mexico City as a Vicar of the Church of La Santa Cruz for ten years. He grew up in a little town in Morelos State, Mexico, called Jojutla and moved to Mexico City to study at the Saint Andrew’s Anglican Seminary and the Theological Community of Mexico where he received a degree in Divinity.

As a cradle Episcopalian, Javier has been working for the Church in Mexico for many years. When he was at the Seminary, with a group of seminarians they planted a new church called “Cristo Rey”. He started his ministry working with the youth group and children. He was part of the OPAJUV (Young Adult Diocesan Committee). He was working also in Cursillo and Happening.

He was ordained as a Deacon in September of 2001 and as a Priest in October of 2002.

He is fascinated by languages, having studied English and Sign Language (in Spanish) and studying different cultures. For fun, he enjoys bike riding, physical fitness, reading books, travel, going to the movies and listening to music.

The Rev. Tracey Forfa

Pastoral Associate

Rev. Tracey came to Ascension in 2021 as a seminary intern and now serves as Ascension’s Pastoral Associate. She was ordained as an Episcopal Priest in July of 2025. Prior to being ordained Rev. Tracey worked for the Food and Drug Administration, finishing her career as the Director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Upstate NY, Rev. Tracey has lived in Maryland for over forty years. In her role as Ascension’s Pastoral Associate, she is responsible for supporting the Rector by helping provide pastoral care, preaching, and leading small formation groups. Her hobbies include gardening and tending to her horses, dogs and donkey on her farm.

The Rev. Rosa Briones 

Deacon

Rosa L. Briones is from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, married and with two children.  Since I came to this Country I’ve always lived in DC, because my husband loves this town.  I was a parishioner at Saint Matthews in Hyattsville, MD. I was there for over 20 + years.

I was ordained a Deacon on November 12-2022 and I’m serving at The Ascension Church in Gaithersburg.

For the past 30 years I have built my career in the Hospitality Industry.

Etienne Zhou

Minister of Music

Etienne Zhou is a dynamic classical pianist with a great passion for captivating audiences through his performances across Asia, Europe, and North America. Zhou’s versatile repertoire has graced the stages of prestigious venues such as The Forbes Center of the Performing Arts, Bradshaw Hall in England, Hongkong Cultural Center, Shenzhen Concert Hall, and many others. Recently, Zhou was honored as the Third-Prize Winner at the 2024 New York International Artists Piano Competition, and the Winner of the Luciana Montanari- Mendola Award from the Italian Cultural Society, further recognizing his musical artistry. He is now serving as the Minister of Music at the Episcopal Church of Ascension in Gaithersburg and is currently a doctorate candidate in piano performance at The Catholic University of America.

Jesse Velazquez

Communication

Jesse Velazquez, born in Washington, DC, comes from a family with roots in El Salvador, a vibrant country in Central America. Since the summer of 2016, Jesse has been a committed member of the Church of the Ascension, where his leadership and dedication have flourished. Over the years, he has served as choir director for several congregations, including the Latin choir at St. Gabriel’s Church in Washington, DC, and the choirs of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Our Savior’s Episcopal Church, and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, all located in Hyattsville, MD.

Beyond his musical leadership, Jesse has brought his talents to the digital realm, managing social media for St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and serving as the technical director of its radio station. His musical journey began in his youth, with private instruction shaping his skills across multiple instruments, including piano, bass, and guitar. Today, at the Church of the Ascension, Jesse wears many hats, serving as director of the Spanish choir, sexton, and communications director.