We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Ashlei Evans. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Ashlei below.
Dr. Ashlei, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
Back in 2017, I was given the opportunity to go on my first mission trip to South Africa. Initially, the trip was booked, but someone had to drop out; therefore, I was given the opportunity to go. The only downside was I had to raise about $2000 in two weeks. At the time, I was a middle school teacher and I was finishing my doctoral degree. I didn’t have the money hanging around. Despite not having the funds at the moment, I agreed to go and I immediately began to fund raise. I had never been good at asking people for anything, especially money. I remember a young lady I knew from a Christian ministry reached out to me and said she was led to sow $500 into my trip. I was shocked because I had never had anyone invest that much into me. After that, so many others sowed money into the trip and everything was paid within the two-week timeframe. This was a significant moment because it showed that kind and genuine people do exist and it also increased my faith to truly believe that if I’m meant to be there God will use people we rarely expect to help us reach our destination.
 
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a Christ-led author, educator, coach, mentor, and consultant who’s been called to where I’ve been. I use wisdom gained through the word of God to speak life into those who are where I struggled in life. As a child, writing became an outlet for me and as an adult, writing has become a resource to spread the word of God.
In 2016, I started The Ash Exchange, later to become The Ash Exchange International LLC, as a blog with the sole purpose of living out Isaiah 61:1-3 by embracing the brokenhearted, educating the lost, and empowering the hopeless to walk into the life God has called them to. Over the years, the vision has expanded to embracing, educating, and empowering Christians globally through Christian education, mentoring, and coaching. On January 7. 2019, I released my first book, The Ash Exchange: How One Woman’s Life Changed When God Exchanged His Beauty for Her Ashes, encouraging women to exchange their ashes for God’s beauty. On June 16, 2021, I released a devotional for singles, Dear Singles L.I.V.E.
Being an advocate of education, I have been blessed to obtain a B.A. in English Literature, M. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, and Ed.D. in Language, Literacy, & Special Populations. I desire to intertwine my love of the Bible and education to establish and support mentoring and literacy programs, schools, and orphanages that are founded on the principles of God’s word. In order to further equip myself for the role I play in ministry, I am currently pursuing a Master of Biblical and Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.
The Ash Exchange International is a for-profit Christian organization committed to building and developing people through three key pillars: personal wellness which includes knowing Christ and applying Biblical principles to every aspect of life, Christian education where we promote Christian education and living, and global missions which involves collaborating with other like-minded organizations to meet the needs of communities globally while spreading the message of Jesus Christ.
 I target these pillars by developing, equipping, and empowering Christian individuals, organizations, and institutions (i.e., schools and orphanages) globally with an emphasis on Africa and the African diaspora. I provide inspirational Christian content such as books, planning and development resources, and words of encouragement. I offer Christian Spiritual and Interpersonal Leadership Coaching which is geared toward partnering with clients to conquer their goals related to Spiritual Growth, Identity, Purpose, Spiritual Gifts, Relationships, Cultural Competence, and Leadership. I also invest in establishing, restructuring, and maintaining Christian schools, orphanages, and other Christian ministries as an Educational & Ministry Consultant with an emphasis on Operations & Management, Curriculum & Instruction, Instructional Coaching, Professional Development, Leadership, Cultural Competence, Relationships, Communication, Christian Education, Community Development, and Ministry Collaboration.
The Ash Exchange International values community and collaboration; therefore, I partner with other Christian organizations and individuals to provide conferences, workshops, mentoring programs, and missions opportunities that allow participants to gain wisdom and insight based on biblical principles that can be applied in a practical manner allowing them to thrive in every aspect of their lives and boldly serve in the capacity in which they were created to serve.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
When I first started The Ash Exchange International, I struggled with what the organization would represent. I was always told to only focus on one niche and service. It was challenging because ultimately, The Ash Exchange International encompasses many things simply because I encompass many gifts, talents, and skills. I reached out to a coach who helped me to realize that oftentimes, faith-based organizations and ministries must build with wisdom, but also with faith. The faith component required me to not place limitations on what The Ash Exchange International could do and who it could support. Because of this revelation, I stopped limiting the services available to just coaching and consulting, understanding that this organization is about transforming people and that is done through developing the whole person, enhancing Christian education, and making an impact globally.
 
 
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I believe being authentic, consistent, and having integrity helped me to build my reputation. I recognized that I am a very relational person and even when collaborating and working with individuals, it is important for me to trust the person. Trust is only established when presenting my authentic self and choosing to have integrity. Because I am the same person in person and on social media, I’ve been able to gain trust and that is what sets me apart in my market.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheAshExchange.org
 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drashleinevans/ AND https://www.instagram.com/theashexchangeinternational/
 - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAshleiNEvans/
 - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlei-evans-ed-d-43064236/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAshleiNEvans
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRXoJGDuuBVi-TuPtxodeJg
 - Other: The Ash Exchange International Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/468682054953997
 
Image Credits
To The Simple Heart (TTSH) Photography

	