Ashley Henson

I’m a Gloucester girl through and through. I grew up here, went to school here, played and coached sports here, and have been a mail carrier in our community for nearly 20 years.

I’m married to Steven, and together we’re raising a blended family with five wonderful children.

I’ve always been what some people would call a “work horse.” I love serving others and being a helping hand wherever I’m needed. Whether it’s cleaning a home or yard, helping with a website or social media, serving in kids ministry, or simply stepping in wherever there’s a need, I’m usually the person who says, “If it needs doing, I’m your girl!”

Serving others is something I truly love because I believe we are called to use what God has given us to love and serve the people around us.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve our church, our community, and the people God places in our path. My prayer is that through everything I do, people would see a little more of Jesus.

My Story

I grew up in church and was blessed with parents who faithfully took me every Wednesday night and Sunday morning. I heard about Jesus, His love for me, and how He died to save me from my sins. I had a foundation of faith, but for many years, I knew *about* Jesus without truly knowing Him.

As a teenager, I began looking for my place in the world and found myself surrounded by the wrong people. I was trying to fill a void in my life, searching for acceptance and purpose in places that could never provide them. I fell into drinking, drugs, and partying, which led to many poor decisions and hurt people I cared about.

At 18, I became pregnant and got married. I cleaned up my life for the baby I was bringing into the world. But when that marriage ended, I found myself right back in the lifestyle I had known. Drinking and partying became ways for me to escape my failures and the pain I was carrying.

Looking back, I wish I had listened when Jesus calls us to be sober-minded. So many heartaches, bad decisions, and embarrassing moments could have been avoided if I had surrendered my life to Him sooner.

It took two more failed marriages for me to finally reach rock bottom. That's when I cried out to God and completely surrendered my life to Him. I knew from my upbringing that He had a better way for me. I just had to let go of control and give it to Him.

And that's when everything began to change.

Jesus began cleaning up the broken pieces of my life. By God's grace, I have now been sober for three years. He has taken the things I once thought defined me and shown me that my identity is found in Him.

Then God brought Steven into my life. Shortly after we started dating, I asked him if he would go to church with me. We began visiting different churches until we found one where we immediately felt at home.

That church became a place where we built lifelong friendships that would eventually become family. We also experienced some "church hurt," but even through that, God continued to lead us. He was preparing us for something we never expected—a calling to be part of a church plant.

I've learned that following Jesus isn't always easy. It requires us to admit when we're wrong, acknowledge our sin, and surrender our desire for control. But I've also learned that Jesus is always faithful. He forgives us when we come to Him, restores us when we're broken, and picks us up when we fall.

My life is so much better because I surrendered it to God. He has surrounded me with some of the kindest, most loving people who encourage me and challenge me to become more like Christ.

Even in difficult seasons, I have joy because I know Jesus is working all things together for good. I don't have to have everything figured out because I know the One who does.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is my Savior.

And the same Jesus who changed my life can change yours, too.