Author Archives: ashleealleycrawford

Unknown's avatar

About ashleealleycrawford

I am the Associate Director for the Office of Clergy Excellence in the Great Plains United Methodist Church. I particularly enjoy helping people see what God is calling them to do and knowing how to respond to that. I'm an ordained elder in the UMC and love to talk all things discipleship, crochet, flowers, family, and friends.

What are we waiting for?

Posted on December 6, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

I have a good friend who is expecting a baby. Due to some complications, the baby could come any day between now and the middle of January, the full-term due date. When she first experienced the complications, the baby would … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, expecting, incarnation | Leave a comment

Passionate in Prayer

Posted on November 20, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

This semester has been a bit of an experiment of sorts for some students. Two students, after having a class dropped for low enrollment, asked me if they could take an independant study with me about prayer. I was excited … Continue reading →

Posted in Campus Ministry, prayer, Southwestern College | 1 Comment

Lessons in Hospitality

Posted on October 26, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

In recent years, you can occasionally hear me say, “I could live in a commune.” I’m usually saying this in response to discussions of Christian community and the needs within a community. I even bring it up when talking about … Continue reading →

Posted in communes, family, hospitality | 3 Comments

Nothing Better

Posted on September 29, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

Ministry is hard work. This is no surprise. In fact, I remember learning in seminary (and frankly, observing every pastor that I’ve ever had) that it is important to have good boundaries because ministry will take up every spare moment … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, burnout, Campus Ministry, GBOD, Nicole, Pray with Africa, prayer | Leave a comment

Taking a Look Around

Posted on September 24, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

I tend to be one of those people who stays busy. If I’m truly honest, I really like it that way best, I suppose. I do recognize, however, that there are times in the year that I’m too busy. These … Continue reading →

Posted in 40 days prayer, Campus Ministry, Chapel, Discipleship, Southwestern College | Leave a comment

A Prayer for Southwestern

Posted on August 28, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

Gracious God, As we enter another school year, we lift these prayers to you: Bless our students, God, as they study and learn in their classes, but also bless them as they discover more about who they are. May they … Continue reading →

Posted in Campus Ministry, prayer, Southwestern College | Leave a comment

Called by God

Posted on August 20, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

I went to Southwestern College expecting to get a good education in a Christian environment. I did not expect to be called to ministry. I started college as a Biology major, planning on being a physical therapist. Southwestern had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Campus Ministry, Southwestern College, umyc | 10 Comments

"I’ll be praying"

Posted on August 17, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

“We should have lunch sometime!” “I owe you one.” “I’ll be praying for you.” These well-intended phrases often flippantly roll from our tongue without much thought. I remember when a good friend taught me about the power of phrases like … Continue reading →

Posted in 40 days prayer, Campus Ministry, pray40cm, UMC | 3 Comments

School’s Starting–Let Us Pray

Posted on August 4, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

When I was in high school, I took up running. It was mostly in rebellion to the volleyball coach, as I quit the team my senior year and said that I was going to run cross country, but in this … Continue reading →

Posted in 40 days prayer, Campus Ministry, pray40cm, prayer, UMC | 1 Comment

Remembering Why I Love Church Camp!

Posted on July 31, 2009 by ashleealleycrawford

I have about 539 ideas for things about which I want to blog, but don’t have much time to get it done. However, I’m taking the time to write about 1 of them quickly: high school leadership camp (called LDW … Continue reading →

Posted in Campus Ministry, KSWUMC, summer, UMC | Leave a comment