About In Spite of Ministries

Living IN SPITE OF Ministries is devoted to, Educating, Encouraging, and Equipping people to use their IN SPITE OF situations as a catalyst for serving Christ and helping others. Whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, we all have an IN SPITE OF in our lives. Far too often we allow our circumstances to define who we are; when God wants us to see our trials as opportunities to experience His grace and strength. Our IN SPITE OF situations are designed to build us into the people God intends us to be, so that we can demonstrate His great love to the world.
​
God allowed John and his wife, Joann to be caregivers for their youngest son Johnny, for more than twenty-eight years. Johnny inspired many lives and God used him to teach the Ashley family many lessons that they would have never learned had they not had a child with special needs. The Ministry they have now was birthed from those lessons and the Lord’s leading after Johnny’s home going.

With great passion and compassion, Brother Ashley will encourage and challenge those in his audience to see their “In Spite Of” in a different light; not as a problem that God has allowed into their lives, but as an opportunity to see God’s power in operation personally. Brother
Ashley is available to speak in churches, conferences, seminars, workshops and wherever there are people that are hurting.

John and Joann have a special place in their hearts for caregivers. They know firsthand many of the challenges they face and desire to be a help and encouragement to them. Brother Ashley is currently traveling and preaching and sharing Johnny’s story with Living IN SPITE OF Ministries.

Speakers

 John and Tina Green - Local Church Bible Publishers - Tina and I entered the ministry upon my graduation from Midwestern Baptist College in 1977. We labored at church planting in Colorado until the birth of our first son. We moved to Mississippi to make the adoption process work smoothly. We served in a Baptist church and school there for two years and then moved to Ohio to help launch a brand new school in another Baptist church. After a successful launch, we moved to Monroe, MI to plant another Baptist church. We saw steady growth and many saved while there. But the Lord brought us back to Lansing, MI to help my father with school and bible institute administration. In 1994 we were called to serve as pastor of a church in Kent, WA in the Seattle area. Again we served in church and school ministry there for almost eight years.
During these transitions, Tina was experiencing various complications with her health. It was not clear to us at the time how that the Lord was teaching us and preparing us For growth, grace and leadership to help others along the way. Finally, Tina’s health was to the point that demanded more time, and I was brought to the decision that led us to be a part of the printing ministry at Parker Memorial Baptist in Lansing. We have served there since 2001 and have seen the mighty Hand of God work miracles and many answers to prayer. Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. “

​Dr. Doug and Amy Levesque - Dr. Doug Levesque is the Pastor Emeritus of Immanuel Baptist Church, in Corunna, Michigan, He started Immanuel as a church planter over 30 years ago. He and his wife Amy started the church in their home and eventually moved to it’s current location with a
membership of over 250. Pastor Levesque has suffered with debilitating infections, kidney disease, crippling pain and finally seizures.  He managed to push along, but finally hit a physical wall.  His life and ministry at a crossroads, decisions had to be made.  Doug and his wife Amy had to
trust God and each other while battling the diagnosis of Chronic Lyme disease.  The challenges were more than medical, they were relational, financial and spiritual.  Brother Doug has authored several books and is the founder of Bible Nation Society and hosts the “Bible Nation” podcasts. He also travels and preaches on biblical answers
to current cultural issues.

Dave and Brooks Roddy - Dave served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1971 as an Infantryman in the Vietnam War. Dave and Brooks were married in August 1969 while Dave was home on emergency leave.  Their first son, David Jr. would be born while Dave was in Vietnam. Their baby was not expected to live but God decided otherwise.  
Shortly after discharge Dave entered a Law Enforcement career, serving 31 years with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester P.D. and retired in 2003. Both of their sons David Jr. and Jason are deputies with the Sheriff’s Office as well. Brooks primarily worked at home raising their two children until they were older. Brooks worked at numerous jobs including a pastery chief, retail security officer, retail sales and management. Also retired Brooks now serves alongside Dave, a Deacon, at Antrim Baptist Church in Byron, MI. Dave and Brooks will share testimony on how they overcame strongholds and trials in their life, including the near death of their first born son and Dave’s PTSD, and the pit of self- medication. Only through the grace and power of God!

Matthew McLaughlin - Matt currently resides in Flushing, Michigan and is a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Swartz Creek where he serves as a teacher for college and career and is a member of the praise and worship team. Matt and his wife Dana have been blessed with five children, one daughter-in-law, and one grandson.
In 2008 Matt’s father, a pastor, committed suicide leaving behind his wife, two parents, children, and grandchildren. Suicide creates a gaping hole in the lives of those left behind and leaves them with so many unanswered questions. Listen as Matt describes the hurt of what a suicide brings to those left in its wake but be encouraged of how a loving God can heal that hurt.