A Conversation with Ashely Murphy
“I don’t know how much of what I remember is real. But I think God might be real.”
In a recent, particularly insightful episode of Convergence, I had the privilege of interviewing Ashley Murphy. Ashley serves as the Director of the Wesley House at CU Boulder, a campus ministry providing essential spiritual support and fostering a strong sense of community for students. She assumed this significant leadership role in August 2021, a period marked by the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Launching a ministry so reliant on relational engagement during a time of restricted in-person interaction speaks volumes about her dedication and innovative spirit. As Ashley herself noted, the initial circumstances were daunting: "we were not allowed to let students come into the building, and we were not allowed to serve them food outside the building." This context highlights the unique obstacles she encountered in establishing a ministry that traditionally thrives on communal gatherings and shared hospitality.
Ashley's journey to CU Boulder involved a transition from a more conventional parish ministry in Boston, Massachusetts. This position marks her first dedicated foray into the specialized field of college ministry, which she described with astute humor as "a totally different world" compared to "regular old parish ministry, which is never regular." Her narratives from the front lines of this critical mission field offered a compelling and deeply inspiring perspective. I was particularly keen to understand the nuances of her shift from a multi-generational ecclesiastical setting to one intensely focused on young adults, and the specific motivations that drew her to this pivotal developmental stage where individuals often solidify their foundational beliefs and chart their life's course.
A primary objective of "Convergence" is to unearth and disseminate authentic, impactful stories from the field. I am consistently eager to explore those memorable, often unforeseen moments that are so characteristic of youth and young adult ministry—experiences that can be simultaneously humorous, perplexing, and profoundly humbling. Furthermore, I deeply value the practical wisdom that seasoned leaders like Ashley accrue through their dedicated service; these are insights that can significantly benefit and equip others in similar leadership capacities. And, naturally, there are those powerful, awe-inspiring accounts where divine providence is unmistakably evident—occurrences that renew our collective faith and reaffirm the purpose of our ministerial vocations. Ashley, with her characteristic warmth, candor, and insightful reflections, provided a rich tapestry of such stories. Our conversation was so impactful that I felt compelled to elaborate on several of the key narratives she shared, with the hope that they will offer readers as much edification and encouragement as they provided me.
A Moment of Levity: The Unconventional Path to Spiritual Inquiry
Individuals engaged in ministry, particularly among young adults, often collect a repertoire of anecdotes that elicit both amusement and deeper contemplation. These are the unanticipated encounters that underscore the wonderfully unpredictable, yet frequently profound, nature of accompanying young people on their spiritual journeys. When I invited Ashley to share such an experience, she recounted an incident that perfectly exemplifies this dynamic—a narrative that was both humorous and a poignant indicator of the earnest spiritual quest that can manifest in the most unexpected circumstances, requiring both pastoral composure and a keen sense of divine comedy.
The incident occurred on a Monday afternoon, typically Ashley’s designated Sabbath for rest and reflection. "My doorbell rings," Ashley began, "and I look outside and I'm like, 'Huh, that's Lily.'" Lily was a student who had previously visited the Wesley House, but this particular visit was to prove highly unconventional.
Upon opening the door, Ashley was met by Lily, who appeared visibly distressed. With an urgent expression, Lily exclaimed, "Pastor Ashley, you're not going to believe it!" Ashley candidly shared her immediate internal premonition: "Oh no, nothing that comes next is good." This intuition, often honed by pastoral experience, signaled an impending departure from the ordinary.
Lily then announced, "I've been building a temple in my mind." Ashley, maintaining her pastoral equanimity, responded supportively, "Oh, that's fantastic," perhaps initially envisioning a metaphorical or creative undertaking. However, Lily promptly clarified the unique, and rather more literal, context of her experience: "No, I took four hits of acid and I'm building a temple."
One can only imagine the rapid recalibration required of Ashley in that moment. Her subsequent response was remarkably measured: "And I was like, 'Oh, okay. Tell me more.'" Lily then added, with a gravity that belied the situation's surrealism, "No, like with bricks."
Ashley's approach to this delicate situation demonstrated notable pastoral presence and discernment. "Cool. Come inside," she calmly invited Lily, recognizing the immediate need for a safe and supportive environment. "We're going to go inside." After ensuring Lily was comfortable on the couch with a snack and water—fundamental acts of care—Ashley listened attentively for several hours. Lily proceeded to describe, in considerable detail, the intricate temple she was constructing within the altered landscape of her consciousness. She spoke of its complex architecture, the spiritual insights she perceived she was gaining, and her profound contemplations on the nature of divine reality. It was, as Ashley conveyed, a conversation unlike any other in her ministerial experience.
Eventually, as the acute effects of the substances abated, Ashley shared that Lily "passed out hard on my couch." Upon awakening, Lily, understandably disoriented, confessed, "I don't know how much of what I remember is what I remember, and how much of it I fabricated in my sleep." Ashley, with a knowing empathy, responded with gentle honesty, "I don't know either."
The truly significant element of this story, however, emerged from this intense and unconventional experience. Lily, reflecting on her journey, shared with Ashley a simple yet potent statement: "But I think God might be real." To this, Ashley offered an equally simple, yet profoundly affirming reply: "I think so too. Good talk."
This narrative is further enriched by the information that Lily had been a somewhat peripheral presence at the Wesley House prior to the pandemic. This extraordinary, unplanned encounter, stemming from a student's highly personal and unusual exploration, unexpectedly became a conduit to a more tangible engagement with faith and the Wesley community; Lily subsequently began attending church services. This story serves as a vivid illustration of how divine grace can intersect with young lives in the most unforeseen circumstances, utilizing even surreal experiences to foster a deeper connection to truth and spiritual community. It underscores that effective ministry often involves being a steadfast, non-anxious presence in moments of chaos, offering a sanctuary of non-judgmental care, and possessing the discernment to recognize the divine spark even in the most unconventional of personal revelations.
Practical Wisdom in Action: "Wednesday School" and Accessible Biblical Engagement
A significant aspiration of the "Convergence" podcast is the dissemination of practical wisdom—effective strategies and innovative methodologies that ministry leaders can adapt for their own unique contexts. Ashley Murphy offered a particularly insightful example when she detailed the Wesley House's approach to Bible study, an initiative they have termed "Wednesday School."
The genesis of Wednesday School stemmed from Ashley's astute observation of the varied spiritual and educational backgrounds of the students she serves. She explained, "We were getting ready to talk about some different stories, and I realized really fast that everybody has a different concept of what these stories are... I just threw out a couple of scripture stories. And I was like, can you guys just tell me what's the story of Jonah about? And I get as many different answers as I have students." A similar divergence in understanding became apparent when she inquired about the narrative of Daniel in the Lion's Den. It was clear that a standardized, didactic approach to biblical engagement would not effectively meet the diverse needs of her student population. Many were encountering these foundational narratives with fresh eyes as young adults, or their prior exposure had been limited to simplified childhood interpretations.
This recognition spurred a creative and adaptive restructuring of their midweek gathering. "We do Sunday School," Ashley elaborated, "we'll call it Wednesday school because we do church on Wednesdays. We read the scripture. Usually, a couple of different translations... Sometimes we'll always make a children's Bible available because sometimes having it in really plain English is helpful." This practice of utilizing multiple translations, including simplified children's versions, is a valuable technique for enhancing scriptural accessibility, ensuring that linguistic complexity does not become an impediment to understanding.
Their methodology, however, extends beyond textual reading. Following the scripture engagement, Ashley described, "And then we do a very Sunday School-esque project... arts and crafts... game... sometimes really silly... the goal was to be really silly." This incorporation of playful, experiential activities serves a crucial pedagogical and relational purpose. "Often," Ashley observed, "whatever the silly thing was, was enough to take the awkward out." By intentionally reducing the intimidation factor often associated with formal study and infusing an element of levity, they cultivate an environment more conducive to open participation and genuine curiosity.
Only after this initial phase of engaging, hands-on activity does the group transition into a more substantive, reflective discussion. "And then we would sit down and have a genuine adult conversation about, 'Okay, what does this mean?'" Ashley shared. This carefully structured approach facilitates a robust and candid exploration of the biblical text. She provided a compelling illustration involving the story of Jonah: to help students conceptualize the experience of being "inside a fish," they "took raw shrimp and we figured out the pH of the inside of various fish and averaged them together and used vinegar and water and pH paper to make stomach acid and we dumped the raw shrimp in there, which promptly cooked!" This tangible, somewhat unconventional experiment undoubtedly rendered the narrative more memorable and served as a unique catalyst for theological reflection. Ashley reflected on the outcome of such approaches: "And then we talked about how maybe it's okay that this story isn't about a literal fish... What happens if we let go of the literalism of scripture? Does it take it away? Or can we... is it actually freeing us to see what the story might be teaching us?"
This pedagogical strategy respects the intellectual capacity of the students while concurrently acknowledging their diverse levels of biblical familiarity. It is an approach informed by Ashley’s insightful understanding of her student demographic, recognizing, as she articulated, "I have come to the conclusion that sometimes all of us still like Play-Doh... even when we think we are too old." Consequently, Wednesday School transcends mere information transfer; it is designed to create an immersive, communal experience, inviting students into a nuanced, personal, and meaningful engagement with their faith.
Inspiring Moments: Divine Intersection in Student Crisis
A recurring and valued component of "Convergence" involves inviting guests to recount an inspiring moment—a specific instance where they clearly witnessed God's intervention in a significant or unexpected manner. These narratives often serve as powerful affirmations of faith and purpose. Ashley’s story of a student confronting an acute financial crisis was particularly poignant, offering a compelling illustration of how divine providence can orchestrate connections and manifest God's presence amidst profound distress.
"About three weeks ago," Ashley began, "I get an email, followed immediately by a text message, followed immediately by a phone call." This rapid succession of communications signaled an urgent need. The sender was a freshman student, previously unknown to Ashley, who identified as Catholic and was clearly in acute distress.
"The student comes in," Ashley recounted, "and immediately walks in my office and just bursts into tears." The young woman had just received the devastating news that her entire financial aid package for the upcoming academic year had been rescinded. "Zero dollars," Ashley emphasized, underscoring the severity of the student's predicament. Compounding the crisis, the deadline to register for classes and submit a deposit for the next academic year was a mere four days away.
Beyond the immediate practical crisis, the student was grappling with a heavy burden of guilt, confiding in Ashley, "I've been to confession three times now today, and I don't feel any better. I must have done something wrong to make this happen." This attempt to assign personal culpability in the face of inexplicable adversity is a deeply human, though often painful, response.
Ashley listened with profound empathy. Her initial response was to address the practical financial concern directly but gently. She then compassionately addressed the student's deeper spiritual anguish: "I don't think God had anything to do with you losing your funding. I think that's just unfortunate." This statement aimed to lift the burden of divine retribution from the student's shoulders.
Their conversation was extensive. A remarkable detail emerged: the student had found Ashley and the Wesley House through the CU faith communities website. Among the listings, Ashley’s was the only one with a photograph, and, in the student's words, Ashley "looked nice." It was this simple, visual impression of kindness that prompted a student from a different faith tradition to seek support at the Wesley Foundation.
The student then shared a significant insight: "You know, I don't think God sent this to me... But I do think I was supposed to come and find you, and I was supposed to come and find a different way of thinking about God." Ashley affirmed her reflection: "You're right... I do think you were supposed to come and find us."
This encounter powerfully illustrates the often subtle ways God works. A student, feeling overwhelmed, acted on an intuitive sense of safety and found not only a compassionate listener but also an invitation to explore her understanding of God anew. Ashley indicated that they are assisting the student with her funding, but the spiritual connection formed in that moment of vulnerability was undeniably a "God moment"—a manifestation of presence, empathy, and grace.
Final Reflections
Ashley Murphy’s experiences at Wesley House offer a compelling look into the dynamic and rewarding nature of young adult ministry. Her stories highlight the necessity of authentic engagement, meeting students where they are, and trusting in God’s presence through all circumstances. Initiatives like "Wednesday School" demonstrate the value of creative, accessible biblical engagement. The poignant encounter with the student in crisis underscores the profound impact of pastoral presence and the unexpected ways individuals are drawn to explore their faith. These narratives reaffirm the importance of fostering safe, relational spaces for young adults as they navigate complex life transitions and spiritual questions. It was a privilege to learn from Ashley's insights, and her dedication is a clear encouragement to all involved in this vital work.