Ashley has been married for 14 years and has three daughters ages 12, 9, and 7. She has a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and is currently finishing an additional masters degree in Theological Studies. She leads a ministry at Crosspoint Church that is called Story Work and is offered in group and individual settings. The ministry helps walk people through a curriculum to engage their story and trauma, experience healing and freedom, and receive sacred care
alongside other believers. Though she is passionate about the integration of psychology and theology, the main calling on her heart is the spiritual formation and discipleship of the church through refining relationships. She is also currently pursuing ordination in the Wesleyan church and when she is not writing papers, coaching XC, or leading Story Groups, she loves to spend her time playing games with her family and church small group members.

In 2012 Melissa, along with her husband and two little kids, packed their bags and moved to Togo, West Africa as international missionaries. After one and a half terms they returned to the US and settled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where Melissa serves as a Bible teacher and artist. Drawing from hard-learned lessons from her years overseas, she brings a unique perspective to both the Word of God and how to live it in a way that invites others to daily step into the abundance of life in Christ.