25 Stories | Ashton Schnaser

What ministry (or ministries) are you most involved with at Central?

College Central

How did God show up in your life in the last 12 months?

In the last 12 months, God has shown up in my life tremendously. One year ago, I started to fulfill my call into ministry by starting the Residency program here at Central. I was a college student who was not happy with where I was in life and felt like I was called to a different purpose. God opened supernatural doors in my life to allow me to follow a call to ministry. Even through hard conversations and seasons of where I needed something to support or strengthen my calling, God spoke to me and showed up, giving me words of motivation and confidence through other people.

How do you live differently knowing God is alive & active in your life?

I can live differently knowing that I don't need to fit into the college life by trying to fit in. I can live set apart to those around me by not having the pressure to drink or use foul language. Through the Spirit working in me and changing my heart for the better, I can live in seasons of patience and the unknown, knowing that all things work into God's hands and he looks upon me with favor through his grace.

How did you share the love of Jesus this year with someone who doesn't know Christ?

Some of my roommates don't know Jesus. This summer, I had the opportunity to preach on a Sunday at College Central. We have a big calendar we use in our house and we had "Ashton preaches" on the day. One of my roommates asked me the morning of what that was all about. I explained to him the opportunity I was given and what it would be like to preach and then eventually invited him. Unfortunately, he didn't come. But that night when I got back to the house he asked me how it went. In this conversation I was able to share the gospel with him. He still hasn't came to church yet to this day, but he asks more and more questions every conversation we have. I know that his heart is interested in learning more about Jesus, but for right now it's a season of patiently waiting for him to ask more questions and eventually get him to open a Bible and come to church.

Anything else you'd like to share about your story or testimony?

Having a Christ-centered community outside of church that can impact your everyday life can create a huge impact on your lifestyle.