My Women’s Ministry Call

My Women’s Ministry Call: My Road to Redemption in Christ

My name is Shelly Ashe-Haun. This story is about my women’s ministry call from God. I was born in Salem, Indiana, but I have lived in Knoxville, Tennessee since I was three. I am so blessed and have the most beautiful life, but that has not always been my story.

My Struggles

From about the time I was sixteen until I was 26, I let personal tragedy decide how I dealt with life every day. I partied daily to cover up how I felt about myself and life in general. I got myself into dangerous situations and lots of toxic relationships.

When I was 26, I became pregnant with my now almost 9-year-old daughter. I was in one of those toxic relationships. It wasn’t until then that I realized I had to change to be the mom and woman that my daughter needed me to be. Therefore, all toxic relationships ended. At this point, I was trying to finish my college degree, work full-time, and be a single parent. I could do it all alone. Little did I know, the entire time that I was pushing God away, He was the one pushing me forward.

God Speaks to Me

In 2016, a family tragedy broke our family. At the time, I was working at Calhoun’s on the River, a famous restaurant in Knoxville. The day after my aunt passed away, I was walking down the long sidewalk to work, wondering how I was going to make it through the day. The guy I had been talking to, but not dating, stood at the back door on the dock waiting for me. He stood unmoving until I got to the top of the steps where I fell to pieces. He caught me and helped put my pieces back together.

As I cried, I heard the Lord speak to me for the first time. He said, “I will walk with you through the valley of the shadow of darkness. The one I have sent you will bring you comfort, peace, joy, and love.” These words were the Lord’s blessing over my husband and me! We have now been married for over two years. We have a daughter and two sons, and our family is complete!

My Women’s Ministry Call: God Speaks to Me Again

About six months ago, I was sitting on the front porch. I felt like something was missing. Not something was missing between my husband and me or between our kids and me. Just something missing. Then I heard the Lord speak to me again, “I will walk with you through the valley of the shadow of darkness. The one I have sent for you will bring you comfort, peace, joy, and love!”

At that moment, I realized God was not just talking about my husband, Derrick, but about JESUS! In Jesus, we never walk alone; in Jesus, we will always find comfort, peace, joy, and love!! That’s what was missing the whole time.

A friend of mine for over 20 years works at the dentist’s office where our kids go. She told me a couple of weeks after my front porch revelation that she and her husband have completely changed their lives. Now, they attend this church here in Knoxville. She invited us, and our lives have not been the same since! We have found fellowship, faith, a church family, and I am happy to announce I was baptized on August 25th!!

Ministry Training at CLI for My Women’s Ministry Call

Praise the Lord! He never gave up on me! God wants me to use my past for a purpose to help young girls and women who have struggled or struggle with the same issues that I had. My women’s ministry, with God’s blessing, could help protect other women from going down the same long, scary road I did.

Now with this free ministry training at Christian Leaders Institute, I can do the ministry work that God is calling me to do. This training prepares me to be the Women’s Ministry leader that God can use for His glory. Use me, God, send me!

Learn about ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance.