Meet Ashley Stewart | Interim College Ministry Director, the Annex Boulder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Stewart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
The nature of ministry is very human and heart centered, thus it is difficult to set boundaries. Historically, I have experienced very unhealthy cycles of burnout and fatigue because I believed the lie that I didn’t have time to take a break or rest. I think many of us buy into that fear, that we’re behind if we’re not ahead. I, like many others, had to learn the hard way that there is no way to consistently work hard and pursue excellence without resting. In my line of work, lines can get blurred very quickly between work and life because college ministry is so relational. Often, it feels harsh to say “ok, after 8pm I am not going to respond to a student’s texts” because what if they really need someone? I am far from perfect, but I have found the only way to create a healthy lifestyle is to know when it is time to step away from work. Our culture is largely shaped by the buzz of the work world and capitalism that it is so countercultural to take a day off and rest, but I perceive balance in my life to mean that every area of it, work, personal, and social, need to be maintained as equal contributors to a healthy me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Last Spring, I was hired at the Annex Boulder as a pastoral intern for their college ministry. My position is heavily relational and is centered around cultivating a Christ-centered community for college students at CU Boulder. We do this through one-on-one mentorship of students, creating events for students to build relationships with one another, and gathering together for an outreach and community event every Tuesday night. I get paid to build relationships with incredible college women, and walk with them as they learn what it looks like to live for Jesus and not just themselves. Many days, I praise God for having one of the best jobs ever. Other days, it’s not so easy. Due to a few different circumstances, myself, and the two other interns of the ministry, are interim directors of the ministry for three months. Saying that still feels surreal. I have always been in awe of stories about unexpected promotions and successes in the work place, but I never thought that would be a part of my story. The first half of this internship, I feared I was not equipped to do what I was hired to do. As soon as I grew to understand how I was a valuable asset to my team, I was called to do more. The path to where I am professionally now has been quite unexpected. I have found there is no way I could do any of it without knowing that the Lord goes before me and will give me the strength I need to endure. Something I have had to learn throughout all of this is we seldom have control over decisions and circumstances that affect us, but we do have control over how we respond. How we carry ourselves through pain and disappointment. I overcame the disappointment of my present situation by giving myself the space to process. Now, I feel prepared, ready, and even excited to take on this new and greater responsibility.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to town, I am sure we would try to fit in the full Colorado experience. Living in central Boulder, one of the first places I would take them to is Chautauqua Park because the consistent view of the Flat Irons around town is one of my favorite parts about living here. I would also take them to Pearl Street and stop at Laughing Goat for some coffee! I would also wake up early one morning for sunrise—the colors that paint the sky here on any given day are unlike any others I have seen thus far. If it were winter, I would take them to Copper Mountain so we could ski for a day and enjoy the Colorado powder. So many people move here for the outdoor experiences, so I would want any friend who comes to visit be able to experience the natural beauty this state has to offer. Though I myself have not spent too much time in Denver, we would probably seek out cool museums and thrift stores and such to explore.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I moved to Boulder six months ago to pursue work in college ministry after living in Seattle for four years. When I was looking for jobs after graduation, I was not considering moving away from the city that felt so much like home. But, when I applied to work at the Annex, I was seeking discernment on where the Lord wanted my next steps to be. My heart was set on a future in Seattle, but Taylor urged me to open doors and see what came of it. Sure enough, I got the job here and I was very apprehensive in saying yes. It wasn’t where I pictured myself at the time. Taylor told me she believed it was right where I was supposed to be. That growth comes when we step out in faith. She has never failed to challenge me and believe in me. She always used to say, “You can’t grow where you’re comfortable”. She has had faith in me when I didn’t have faith in me and her encouragement, as well as the risks she has taken in her own career path, gave me the courage to take the leap and say yes to an opportunity in a state I had never been to. I am so grateful for her relentless pursuit of wanting the best for me.