Risen Stories: Meet the Rays!
About Us:
We met in Alabama in 2016 through the college ministry Campus Outreach. Ashley hosted Cody’s return training when he came back from living in New Zealand for a year. We would eventually date and then get married in 2018. After getting married we moved to Cookeville, Tennessee where Cody had lived since college (excluding the time he was in New Zealand). At the start of 2020, we found out we were expecting our first child to be born in September 2020. Kirby was right on schedule and is currently a little over 2 years old. He is fiercely independent and also very cuddly; toddlers are a paradox. We moved back to NC (Ashley is originally from Concord) in September of 2021. By February of 2022, we learned that we would be expecting another baby in November! Oliver (Ollie) was also born right on schedule. We are adjusting to our new life with a toddler and a newborn, but we couldn’t be more happy with our family of 4!
How did you each come to know Christ?
Cody: I grew up in a moral, church-going household, and knew all of the right answers to Sunday school questions. However, throughout elementary, middle and high school I practically worshiped girls and sports. I only cared about myself and what I could earn. In Thanksgiving 2008, the Lord began convicting me of my sin. I ended a very toxic relationship with a girl which led to my mother consoling me and conversing with me about what I was living for. I didn't know what I was living for anymore. It was myself, sports, girls, and glory. But none of those brought satisfaction or purpose. I remember reading through the Gospel of John after having that conversation with my mom. This time, it was more than just a story, though. I finally felt the weight of my sin and the sweetness of grace. The Lord began transforming my heart and gave me new desires. I went to college in 2009 and finally learned what it looked like to follow the Lord, and grew deeply in my relationship with Him.
Ashley: I came to faith in college through the ministry Campus Outreach. I had joined a sorority my freshman year and was living very much a party life style. I was confronted with the emptiness of my choices during my sophomore year and Jesus captivated my heart, prompting me to start following Him. It was a bumpy transition to give up my old habits; it did not happen overnight. I would struggle with my relationship to the party lifestyle for a time. Jesus used it all to grow me closer to himself. By senior year, I was freed from some old sin that had a stronghold. The years before I met Cody would be some of the most spiritually fruitful of my life. Then after meeting Cody we would grow closer to the Lord and each other. Our marriage has been such a positive influence on my spiritual growth, and he is an excellent leader of our household.
Why do you feel church planting is important?
We feel church planting is important, first because it is biblical, and second because it is a great way to bring in new believers. In the New Testament, Paul planted many churches over the course of his life. As believers, we can emulate his life as he emulated Christ. Also, practically speaking, it is a great way to bring in new people to the kingdom. People love to be a part of starting something where everyone is new, just like in a church plant. Church planting is an exciting task, and God can and does use that excitement for his glory.
Why did you decide to join Risen Church’s launch team?
We specifically joined the Risen Church Family for two reasons; first, it was the right place at the right time, and second, the overall church vision and structure matched our family. Since the pandemic started in 2020 and the volatile political landscape began dividing churches; we felt like outsiders wherever we went, unable to even plug into the church we had been members of for so long. We then moved to North Carolina in September 2021, and struggled to find a new church that was near us. God then used an old college friend of Cody’s to introduce us to Ian and Risen Church. Talking with Ian, we were excited for the first time in a long time to get back into Church. The more we learn, the more we want to get caught up into the Lord and this church family. It has been the right place, at the right time, with a biblical vision and structure that matches what our family values!
