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Ashlee Bell Hafner

@theashhafner

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Jesus lover • Wife to @thejoshhafner • Mommy to Milo James & Valley Grace• Worshipper • Connections Pastor @thejeffersonchurch • EU alum •

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Milo wanted to play hooky from school, so we decided to spend the afternoon at @jaemorfarms. Thankful for Fridays like this. ❤️

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Some of our team had the privilege of going to Birmingham, AL for @growleader this summer.

Grateful for each and every one of them — the ones pictured and the ones that aren’t. 🤟🏼

It’s such an honor to serve with them.

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ʀᴇᴠɪᴠᴀʟ ɪs ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ

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I don’t usually share things like this, but I feel led to share some personal thoughts about women in leadership & pastoral roles in ministry. For me, this conversation has never been merely theological or theoretical. It’s about people I love.

My mom raised me by herself. And for almost all of my life, she has also served as a full-time pastor. I watched her carry the weight of ministry while carrying the responsibilities of being a single mother. I saw her pray for people, sit with families in their pain, and faithfully serve the local church year after year wherever she was needed.

Long before I ever knew women in ministry were debated (or that such a debate even existed) I knew a woman who had answered God’s call and spent her life faithfully serving others.

Today, I am married to a full-time pastor. Once again, I have the privilege of watching someone I love pour herself out for the sake of God’s people. I see the late nights, the prayers, the preparation, the sacrifice, the care, and the deep commitment to helping others know Jesus.

So when people ask me why I affirm women in ministry, my answer is certainly rooted in Scripture. But it’s also shaped by a lifetime of witnessing the fruit of God’s work through the lives of two incredible women.

My mom and my wife have taught me something beautiful about the Lord and His love for His people: His calling is not confined or restricted by gender. The same God who gifts, equips, and sends men also gifts, equips, and sends women.

I know faithful Christians hold different convictions on this issue, and I respect that. That’s not the point of this post.

I simply want to honor two women whose faithfulness has deeply shaped my life and encourage any woman who may be questioning her place in God’s house. Your gifts matter. Your voice matters. You matter. And if God has called you, that calling is worth sacrificing everything for. Be faithful to Him, use what He’s entrusted to you, and trust Him with the rest.

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We’re just a month away! Pastors, leaders, and key volunteers, we can’t wait to be with you and share all that we have learned and gained along the way as a growing church in a small town. Come be with us June 24–26!

Visit thelocalconference.com to register today 🔗

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Friday mornings at @wafflehouseofficial. 🧇🤟🏼

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Just a little something the kids and I made for @theashhafner for Mother’s Day.

Stick around until the end if you appreciate toddler chaos. 😅

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We serve a God who isn’t afraid to get His hands dirty. From before time even began, He sought after us.

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The One who spoke galaxies into existence, who holds all power and authority, chose to step down into the dust of His own creation. Not from a distance. Not with hesitation. But with intention, with grace + love, and with humility.

Easter is the reminder that God didn’t stay far off. He didn’t watch humanity struggle from a safe distance. He stepped in.

He walked among us.
He felt what we feel.
He carried what we couldn’t carry.

And ultimately, He allowed Himself to be broken for the very people who broke Him.

That’s the part that I will never forget.

The all-powerful God lowered Himself.
The King of Heaven wore a crown of thorns.
The One who created life itself willingly laid His down.

Why?

Because I was trapped.

Trapped in sin.
Trapped in my own brokenness.
Trapped in a story I could never fix on my own.

And instead of leaving me there, He came down into it. He stepped into the mess. He got His hands dirty. Not to condemn me but to rescue me.

The cross wasn’t weakness.
It was love in its most powerful form.

And the empty tomb?
That’s the victory I could never earn.

Easter isn’t just a moment we remember; it’s the reality we live in. I’ve been pursued, redeemed, and made new by the one true God.

Not because I deserved it.
But because He is just that good.

Happy Resurrection Sunday, everybody!

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Can someone please explain to me how my little man is four years old already? 😅 It feels like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital— excited, terrified, and physically exhausted… with hearts that had grown far bigger than we could’ve ever imagined after holding our precious little boy.

Happy 4th birthday, Milo James. I love you bigger bigger bigger. 🥲🤟🏼

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I wish I could describe the feeling of being in this water. Of confronting all the hurt & anger that I’ve kept bottled up. The feeling of these amazing women of God, laying hands on me & praying. Hearing the prayers & tears from my fellow sisters in Christ. I felt God’s presence tonight, in a way that I’ve never felt Him before.

I will never forget this moment. I will never forget the words that were poured into my soul tonight. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙰 𝙶𝚘𝚍🙌🏼

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recap of our wknd celebrating the beautiful, @emmaleedbell!!!! thankful to jesus for being able to walk alongside you in such a sweet sweet season🤍

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The most dreamy bachelorette trip in NYC. Definitely a bucket list trip and couldn’t be more grateful I got to do it with my girls🤍👰🏼‍♀️

(White fur coat was a paid sponsor)

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