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. 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.

Julie Lively

Parish Administrator 

My name is Julie Lively and I’m the Parish Administrator for the Church of the Ascension. I’m married and have 6 kids. Family time a super important to me and making memories and charishing those moments with them.

Before starting at the Church of the Ascension and I in the medical field. 8 years in pediatrics and 7 years in cardic medicine. I always saw myself helping others. Now I’m helping other in a different way way.

As the Parish Administrator, not only do I get to work behind the scenes, but I also get to work closely with our members, our vestory and our Rector.

My goal and desire is to help and serve them to the best of my ability to make their experience at the Church of the Ascension the best possible. I love God and love serving His people.

Jesse Velazquez

Communication

Jesse Velazquez was born in Washington DC. His family is originally from El Salvador, a small country in Central America. Jesse has been a member of Church of the Ascension since the summer of 2016. He has served as choir director at several churches. Jesse has proudly served as the Latin choir director at St. Gabriel’s Church in Washington DC, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in the city of Hyattsville MD, as well as Our Savior’s Episcopal Church in Hyattsville MD and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Hyattsville MD. Jesse managed the social media for St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and was the technical director for St. Matthew’s radio station. Jesse began developing his musical skills at a very young age with private teachers. He learned to play a variety of different instruments such as piano, bass and guitar. Currently, he works at Church of the Ascension as the director of the Spanish choir, Sexton and communications.