Darrell Ashley was earnestly seeking for truth. Ever since giving his heart to the Lord many years ago, he grew more and more dissatisfied, as what he had been reading in the Bible differed from what he had seen and heard in the churches he had been to. Through his own study of the Bible, some historical works, and later Amazing Facts, Ashley discovered the truth about the Sabbath, man’s mortal sate, salvation by grace, and some other biblical doctrines.
Ashley started to fast every Sabbath and ask God to guide him to more truth and to a church that shared the same beliefs. One day as he was driving down the parkway, he saw a familiar sign — a sign he had seen for many years but had not caught his attention until now. That sign was the sign of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Winchester, Ky. Ashley felt impressed to go to the church to check it out.
Darrell Ashley and his wife, Jane, then visited the Winchester Church. Coincidentally, that same Sabbath an announcement was made: The Winchester Church was going to start a church plant in Stanton — just minutes from where the Ashleys’ house was located. The timing was perfect. The couple was amazed and excited that a church was going to be right in their own community.
After attending the Stanton Church for a couple months, the Ashleys decided to become members of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Stanton members were rejoicing as God sent them the first fruits of the harvest of souls that would come to Him because of this church plant.
It is always encouraging to hear the testimony of others and how they came to the faith. It is even more encouraging when you realize that God may have used you in a small way to help to bring those precious souls along.
One day Gary Hess, Stanton Church elder, and member Romone Gibbs went to visit the Ashleys in their home as they prepared to join the church by profession of faith. As the men got out of the car and walked up to the door, Hess exclaimed, “I have been here before. We canvassed this house.” Darrell opened the door and invited them in, and Hess excitedly told his story.
“Oh! That was you?” asked Jane. “I remember two people came by and I bought a few books from them, a food book and two other books.” This was truly exciting to hear.
Jane shared how she had read some of the books she had bought two years prior. The two other books she bought were The Great Controversy and Christ Object Lessons. These books had prepared the way for her to accept the prophetic gift in the Church.
Now, Darrell and Jane Ashley are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and they are actively trying to share the truths that have given them a brand new experience with Jesus.
Kentucky-Tennessee | August 2023
Comments are closed.