MEET OUR STAFF

  • Reverend Larry Loree, Pastor

    pastorloree@ascensionofchrist.org


    Reverend Larry K. Loree Jr. was installed as part-time associate pastor of Ascension of Christ in

    August 2021. Born in Pontiac, Michigan, Pastor Loree spent his childhood and most of his teen

    years in Lapeer, MI. He graduated from high school in western New York and returned to

    Michigan where he attended Concordia College in Ann Arbor. He met Teresa (nee Brownell)

    while working at Montgomery Ward and the two wed at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in

    southwest Detroit in April 1991. Pastor Loree has served congregations in Illinois, Michigan, and

    Pennsylvania. He also served as an Air Force chaplain in the Air National Guard in Illinois,

    Indiana, and Vermont. In December 2020 he retired after 25 years of total service (19 as a

    chaplain) in the Air Force Chaplain Corps. He and Teresa have three adult children, all of whom

    graduated from Lutheran high schools. In summer of 2021, upon the marriage of their daughter,

    they gained a wonderful son-in-law. Pastor Loree and his family reside in Clarkston.

  • Chelsea Cook, Child Care Program Director

    cookc@ascensionofchrist.org


    Chelsea has been a member of Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church for 23 years serving in various capacities including Director of Children's Ministries.  She worked as an Assistant Infant Teacher before earning the Infant Toddler Child Development Associate Credentials to become the Infant Lead Teacher.  Soon after, Chelsea was promoted to Assistant Director where she served for five years prior to ascending into the role of Child Care Program Director.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Children and Families from the University of Michigan. 

  • Melissa harnden, Deaconess Intern

    melissaharnden@ascensionofchrist.org


    Melissa began her year of deaconess internship at Ascension of Christ in August 2024. She grew up in Washington State, and received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education from the University of Washington. Melissa spent her two years of academic learning in the deaconess program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.