The Ascension Quartet
The 1970s saw many changes in the world: the first resignation of a U.S. president, the end of the Vietnam War, runaway inflation, oil shortages, and the beginning of rampant terrorist attacks. It was a time of turmoil, a time of people searching for meaning to life, and a time when the Word of God needed to be presented in earnest to a world that seemingly had lost its direction.
It was during this period that The Ascension Quartet, a Southern Gospel group with a mission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in song, was formed. The group set ministry — not entertainment — as its goal. Not content with just the short-term aim of sharing happiness for an hour or two,
The Ascension shared with people how to have the joy of knowing Jesus as their personal Savior for a lifetime. Today’s Ascension Quartet members still share this same goal. Based in Strafford, Missouri, this group travels thousands of miles each year bringing a message of love and joy through song to congregations large and small. With the intentions of ministry over money, this non-profit group is made up of members who are committed to the ideal that winning people to Christ is the main reason they sing and tell about the love of Jesus. The qualities of each man come together as a team that has the work of the Lord at heart.
While the emphasis of The Ascension is in bringing their music to churches and worshiping with those congregations, the group also performs in concert settings for private events, fund-raising benefits, state fairs, civic functions, and other ministry opportunities. Many non-church audiences around the country have been given the good news in secular places.
Forty years past its beginning, the Ascension is still going strong, singing and telling thousands that God loves them, and Jesus died to save them. The next time the Ascension is in your area, come out and worship with them — you’ll be glad you did.
Wayne Hughes – Tenor
Wayne started singing gospel music as a child at the church where his father was song leader. He was saved as a young teenager and started singing in traveling groups at the age of 16yrs old.
Wayne’s first group was the Disciples Quartet. He then joined the Gateway Quartet, where he sang with Daryl Foster, the current lead singer for the Ascension Quartet. Wayne has been singing ever since. His call to this ministry comes from a lifelong desire to follow Christ and share His message of salvation and grace. Wayne lives in Strafford MO with his wonderful wife Debi. They have 3 children.
Wayne sings the tenor part for The Ascension and serves as the CEO of Ascension Gospel Quartet, Inc. which is a 501c3 non-profit corporation.
Bruce Horton – Lead
Bruce Horton started singing at the age of 3 in a little country church where his dad was the pastor. It was the hymns that we still sing today that had such an impact on him and taught him the parts needed to make it sound good. He has continued singing through his teens and adult life. He has traveled with FreelyGiven as the lead singer, and the past 10 years has worked as a soloist . Bruce lives in Willard, Mo with his amazing wife Melissa, and enjoys spending time with his children and grandbaby, and playing with old cars in his spare time. He is excited that God has opened another door to the ministry. As a dear friend always said. " The world needs more good Southern Gospel music" John Jones.
Lathan Moore – Baritone
From as far back as setting on his moms lap, learning the different parts to the old gospel hymns, Lathan has been singing. Lathan grew up in a small coal mining community. His father to this day is still working in the mines after 43 years. This gave Lathan an appreciation for hard work and perseverance. After graduating from Harrisburg High School in 2000, Lathan joined a country Gospel Quartet called “Eastern Sky” to sing baritone and toured for two years throughout the Mid- East and Ohio Valley. Lathan also was a member of the Reliance Quartet from Paducah, Kentucky, where he sang lead. Lathan recently sang with the Palmetto State Quartet and had the opportunity to open for the Gaither Vocal Band. While in college at Wayland Baptist University Lathan sang in a campus quartet with Paul Harkey who now sings bass with Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Lathan and his wife Bethany now reside in Springfield, MO.
Walter Hayes – Bass
Walter Hayes has been singing since he was a child. His first memories of singing in a group of any sort were with his mother at a Billy Graham crusade in 1970 in Baton Rouge when they sang together in the choir. Walter has sung with groups and done solo work ever since. His calling is ministering to the lost and the body of Christ through song. Walter attended Missouri Southern State University and Lee University. Walter is married to the love of his life Ginger and they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren in and around Carl Junction, MO where they live.
Walter sings the bass part for The Ascension and serves as the President of Ascension Gospel Quartet, Inc. which is a 501c3 non-profit corporation.
The 1970s saw many changes in the world: the first resignation of a U.S. president, the end of the Vietnam War, runaway inflation, oil shortages, and the beginning of rampant terrorist attacks. It was a time of turmoil, a time of people searching for meaning to life, and a time when the Word of God needed to be presented in earnest to a world that seemingly had lost its direction.
It was during this period that The Ascension Quartet, a Southern Gospel group with a mission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in song, was formed. The group set ministry — not entertainment — as its goal. Not content with just the short-term aim of sharing happiness for an hour or two,
The Ascension shared with people how to have the joy of knowing Jesus as their personal Savior for a lifetime. Today’s Ascension Quartet members still share this same goal. Based in Strafford, Missouri, this group travels thousands of miles each year bringing a message of love and joy through song to congregations large and small. With the intentions of ministry over money, this non-profit group is made up of members who are committed to the ideal that winning people to Christ is the main reason they sing and tell about the love of Jesus. The qualities of each man come together as a team that has the work of the Lord at heart.
While the emphasis of The Ascension is in bringing their music to churches and worshiping with those congregations, the group also performs in concert settings for private events, fund-raising benefits, state fairs, civic functions, and other ministry opportunities. Many non-church audiences around the country have been given the good news in secular places.
Forty years past its beginning, the Ascension is still going strong, singing and telling thousands that God loves them, and Jesus died to save them. The next time the Ascension is in your area, come out and worship with them — you’ll be glad you did.
Wayne Hughes – Tenor
Wayne started singing gospel music as a child at the church where his father was song leader. He was saved as a young teenager and started singing in traveling groups at the age of 16yrs old.
Wayne’s first group was the Disciples Quartet. He then joined the Gateway Quartet, where he sang with Daryl Foster, the current lead singer for the Ascension Quartet. Wayne has been singing ever since. His call to this ministry comes from a lifelong desire to follow Christ and share His message of salvation and grace. Wayne lives in Strafford MO with his wonderful wife Debi. They have 3 children.
Wayne sings the tenor part for The Ascension and serves as the CEO of Ascension Gospel Quartet, Inc. which is a 501c3 non-profit corporation.
Bruce Horton – Lead
Bruce Horton started singing at the age of 3 in a little country church where his dad was the pastor. It was the hymns that we still sing today that had such an impact on him and taught him the parts needed to make it sound good. He has continued singing through his teens and adult life. He has traveled with FreelyGiven as the lead singer, and the past 10 years has worked as a soloist . Bruce lives in Willard, Mo with his amazing wife Melissa, and enjoys spending time with his children and grandbaby, and playing with old cars in his spare time. He is excited that God has opened another door to the ministry. As a dear friend always said. " The world needs more good Southern Gospel music" John Jones.
Lathan Moore – Baritone
From as far back as setting on his moms lap, learning the different parts to the old gospel hymns, Lathan has been singing. Lathan grew up in a small coal mining community. His father to this day is still working in the mines after 43 years. This gave Lathan an appreciation for hard work and perseverance. After graduating from Harrisburg High School in 2000, Lathan joined a country Gospel Quartet called “Eastern Sky” to sing baritone and toured for two years throughout the Mid- East and Ohio Valley. Lathan also was a member of the Reliance Quartet from Paducah, Kentucky, where he sang lead. Lathan recently sang with the Palmetto State Quartet and had the opportunity to open for the Gaither Vocal Band. While in college at Wayland Baptist University Lathan sang in a campus quartet with Paul Harkey who now sings bass with Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Lathan and his wife Bethany now reside in Springfield, MO.
Walter Hayes – Bass
Walter Hayes has been singing since he was a child. His first memories of singing in a group of any sort were with his mother at a Billy Graham crusade in 1970 in Baton Rouge when they sang together in the choir. Walter has sung with groups and done solo work ever since. His calling is ministering to the lost and the body of Christ through song. Walter attended Missouri Southern State University and Lee University. Walter is married to the love of his life Ginger and they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren in and around Carl Junction, MO where they live.
Walter sings the bass part for The Ascension and serves as the President of Ascension Gospel Quartet, Inc. which is a 501c3 non-profit corporation.
