Healthy Leaders.
Strong Churches.
Gospel Impact.
Real Help for Pastors and Churches
We equip and guide pastors and ministry teams to become healthy leaders who grow strong churches and make healthy disciples.
Healthy churches don’t happen by accident—they are shaped under the care of healthy, equipped, supported pastors and ministry teams. The Ascent Network was born from a simple conviction: healthy equipped pastors lead healthy churches.
After nearly three decades of ministry, Cary has seen both the joy and the weight of pastoral leadership—the seasons of deep fruitfulness and the moments that test faith, identity, and endurance. Through it all, one calling has remained clear: pastors and ministry teams need someone walking with them, not just advising from a distance.
The Ascent Network exists to do exactly that—coming alongside leaders with encouragement, clarity, and practical support shaped to their unique context. We help pastors lead well, live whole, and cultivate churches that are rooted in Christ, aligned in mission, and equipped for lasting gospel impact.
Marking the Path to Healthy Leadership
How We Help
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Consulting
Guiding your church toward clarity, confidence, and renewed purpose.
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Coaching
Providing the clarity, confidence, and support to flourish in your calling.
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Creative
Helping your church communicate with clarity and excellence.
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Missions
Helping your church build healthy, aligned mission partnerships.
The Ascent Network was founded and is led by Pastor Cary Phillips.
Cary Phillips has served in local church ministry for nearly three decades in a wide range of roles, including ten years pastoring a congregation. These experiences have given him a unique, compassionate understanding of both the beauty and the weight of pastoral leadership. Throughout his ministry, Cary has invested deeply in developing leaders, strengthening staff teams, and helping churches grow in clarity and health. He now serves pastors and ministry teams through The Ascent Network, partnering with them to discern where they are, where God is leading, and to shape individualized strategies and practical next steps that align with their church’s culture and calling.
What Leaders Are Saying
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![Pastor Tim Luke, prince avenue Baptist church A middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard smiling outdoors, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, with green trees in the background.]()
"Cary is extremely bright and a strategic thinker who lives to expand God’s kingdom and the breadth and depth of His people. Simply, he catalyzes growth."
Tim Luke, Executive Pastor
Prince Avenue Baptist Church, Athens, GA -
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"Cary is one those rare ministry leaders with strategic thinking, leadership experience, unusual creativity, a pastoral heart, clear communication, and a determination to get things done."
Dr. Jimmy Baughchum, Executive Director Atlanta Metro Baptist Association and Pastor, Bridgepoint Church at Toco Hills, Decatur, GA -
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"I have known Cary for many years. He was on the leadership team of the Baptist association that I led from 2011-2023. He always provided faithful, caring, wise, and godly leadership to any ministry area for which he was responsible. He will serve you and your church/ministry well."
Dr. Ray Gentry, President
Southern Baptist Conference
of Associational Leaders (SBCAL) -
![pastor Neal Dose, Mansfield Baptist Church A smiling man with short dark hair and a checkered shirt posing against a plain gray background.]()
“Cary’s experience and his passion for the local church make him a steady, encouraging voice whose wisdom and insight will bless both pastors and church leaders in a meaningful way.”
Neal Dose, Pastor
Mansfield Baptist Church, Mansfield, GA -
![Pastor Chris Brown -- South Point Fellowship, Jackson, GA - A smiling man with a beard and short brown hair, wearing a navy blue collared shirt, standing outdoors in a park-like setting with trees and parked cars in the background.]()
"With decades of faithful experience in the local church, Cary offers pastors a rare blend of seasoned wisdom, genuine care, and friendship."
Chris Brown, Pastor
Southpoint Fellowship, Jackson, GA -
![Pastor Jonathan Moseley - Kings Hill Boston -- Smiling young man with short hair and a beard, wearing a light blue collared shirt, standing outdoors with a modern building in the background.]()
"Cary has helped raise our entire team’s leadership capacity through practical wisdom and consistent support. I’m grateful for the way he invests in people."
Jonathan Moseley, Church Planter
Kings Hill Church, Boston -
![Pastor Bruce Mewbourne Oak Hill baptist church A middle-aged man with gray hair smiling outdoors near a tree and parking lot, wearing a colorful floral shirt.]()
"Cary is deeply committed to the gospel and passionate about making disciples of Jesus. His contagious vision for global missions has equipped many to join God’s work among the nations. At his core, he is a shepherd who leads, develops, and cares for people, communicating the gospel with creativity and clarity."
Dr. Bruce Mewbourne, Missions Pastor
Oak Hill Church, Williamson, GA -
![A smiling man with light hair and a beard, wearing a dark sweater over a collared shirt, standing outdoors at night.]()
"I’ve walked with Cary for twenty years as my pastor and friend. I’ve seen his character up close; his wisdom, integrity, and steady presence have shaped my life and leadership. Any pastor would be blessed to have him in their corner."
Robert Knight
Entrepreneur -
![Pastor Zach McNeill A man with glasses and a beard smiling outdoors on a cloudy day, standing in front of trees with autumn-colored leaves and a concrete wall.]()
"Cary brings a rare combination of wisdom, ministry insight, and genuine love for people. He’s a pastor’s pastor, he strengthens leaders, encourages hearts, and helps the Kingdom grow."
Zach McNeill, Pastor
Griffin Church, Griffin, GA -
![COO Dr. Tim Hahn Headshot of a man in a suit and tie against a blue background. Headmaster Strong Rock]()
"I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside Cary in ministry. His attentive listening, compassion, discernment, and steady commitment to helping others reflect a genuine calling to serve."
Dr. Tim Hahn, COO
Strong Rock Christian School -
![Charlie Peck
A man with short brown hair and a full beard wearing a light pink collared shirt, looking at the camera with a slight smile against a plain white background.]()
"Cary is someone I can trust without hesitation. He consistently brings insight to situations that I never would’ve considered on my own. Empathetic, wise, and genuinely practical, he’s the kind of person you want in your corner when a project (or life itself) gets complicated."
Charlie Peck
Entrepreneur -
![Pastor Brian Shuler A smiling man outdoors with trees in the background]()
"As both a friend and fellow pastor, I’ve seen firsthand how dedicated, reliable, and unbelievably creative Cary is, both in the church and beyond."
Brian Shuler, Executive Pastor
Mansfield Baptist Church, Mansfield, GA -
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“I’ve known Cary since he was 11 and have watched him faithfully serve Christ through every level of ministry. He brings deep biblical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience. Any pastor or church would be strengthened by his wisdom, encouragement, and commitment to helping the local church fulfill its mission.”
Scott Davis
Get Real Conferences -
![Pastor Christian White, Morningside Baptist Church A smiling man with dark hair, a beard, and a suit standing outdoors in front of a modern building with glass windows and brick walls.]()
“Cary is one of those rare leaders who sees straight into a pastor’s heart; every time we talk, I walk away feeling known, encouraged, and freshly fueled for the work God’s called me to.”
Christian White, Pastor
Morningside Church, Atlanta -
![Pastor Jesse Welliver summit Baptist church lfganvillle A man with a beard and short hair smiling, wearing a red and blue plaid shirt, standing outdoors in front of a white siding wall.]()
"Cary brings decades of rich ministry and leadership experience that enables him to encourage and serve pastors with insight and compassion. He’s been an encouragement to me in my own ministry journey as someone who can truly say, “I’ve been there.”
Dr. Jesse Welliver
The Summit Church, Loganville, GA -
![Pastor Billy Lord A smiling middle-aged man with short hair, a goatee, and wearing a plaid shirt.]()
“I’ve known Cary for over twenty years. He’s been a steady friend and a true encouragement to me in ministry. Having served alongside him in several key roles, I’ve seen his wisdom, clarity, and practical leadership firsthand. Pastors will benefit from his guidance.”
Billy Lord, Worship Pastor
Griffin Church
