September 5, 1925 - August 30, 2010
Today would have been Pastor Ashley's 85th Birthday.
Pastor Ashley came from Kansas to Omaha in 1955 as a Mission Developer for the Lutheran Congregation that later became Morning Star. Pastor Ashley was Pastor of Morning Star until 1977. Morning Star was a significant part of Pastor Ashley’s 61 years of ordained ministry, a milestone celebrated at Morning star with the planting of a tree in his honor – it is the one near our mail box. And, on the flip side, Pastor Ashley has been a significant part of the 53 years of Morning Star’s life and the lives of a significant number of Morning Star people.
I didn't have the privilege of knowing Pastor Ashley very well. But what I did get to know is that Pastor Ashley was tenacious in his work to build the kingdom of God and to build Morning Star. In those years developing a mission congregation meant “door knocking”. I’ve heard dozens of stories of Pastor Ashley coming to the door, being invited in and “before he left we had become among the members of Morning Star Lutheran.” And there is Pastor Ashley's preaching. He was gifted with a wonderful speaking voice. He used it to present a strong clear message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was compelling for the faith in believing in that same Gospel. And, Pastor Ashley was always generous, complementary and kind.
Marks of Pastor Ashley's ministry are all over Morning Star. In her people and in the building itself. If my understanding is correct, Pastor Ashley had a hand in the design of our stained glass windows. His passion for Jesus is clear all around us.
Thank you, Pastor Ashley for your witness, your ministry and your life of faith.
And on today's "new birthday" rest in God’s full arms of grace in your heavenly home, in the victory of the Gospel you preached so faithfully.
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