No Longer the Only One – Ashley's Story

“No matter how I looked at it, the world seemed dull and gray.” 

Throughout high school, Ashley’s life was full of sadness. She questioned if she had a purpose and wondered what the point was of life itself. 

More than anything, Ashley felt like she was the only one –– the only one with the questions she had, the only one who felt this lost and confused. “I felt so alone,” she said. 

Curious

On the first day of her classes at Scripps College in Claremont, California, Ashley saw another girl, Grace. She didn’t know why, but she felt like she should sit next to her, even though there were many open seats in the classroom. “I immediately felt relaxed when I saw her,” Ashley said. 

Curious and feeling like something was different about Grace, Ashley began asking her questions, starting first with who she was and what she was studying. Grace told Ashley she planned on going into biblical counseling. 

“Are you religious?” Ashley asked. 

“Yeah, I’m Christian, actually,” Grace replied. 

Desperate

Up until then, Ashley had known other Christians in her life but hadn’t had any experiences with religion herself. She didn’t understand who God was and desperately wanted to know how people could love him. 

Grace began inviting Ashley to InterVarsity events, including Bible study, telling Ashley that Bible studies were where people learned more about God. They also were opportunities for people to make close friendships. 

“I was like, ‘Oh! That’s where I gotta be!’” Ashley said. 

Reborn

Fast forward, one day, Ashley saw a flyer for a Bible study on campus, and it made her decide to finally try the one Grace had invited her to. She was so excited and couldn’t wait for the day she could finally try out a Bible study for herself. 

As soon as she got there, she felt like she was home. 

Soon, Ashley found herself being loved and cared for by the Christians she met in this Bible study, her InterVarsity staff, and of course Grace. As she got close to other students and heard them share their stories vulnerably, the feelings of being the only one like her began fading away. 

“[It] completely blew my mind what a community could ideally be like: about love and healing, depth and meaning, and purpose,” Ashley said. 

In addition to their class together and InterVarsity small group, Grace and Ashley also met for meals, and Grace answered Ashley’s questions about faith. That February, as they were talking one night, Grace explained the gospel to Ashley and invited her to follow Jesus. Ashley quickly and excitedly said yes. 

Their community was ecstatic and at their next Bible study, Ashley’s small group had planned a celebration, complete with a chocolate cake. “They sung me ‘Happy Birthday’ because I was reborn!” she said. 

Redeemed 

Now, two years after meeting Grace, Ashley is reaching out to other students on their campus with her. She’s walked around school telling new freshmen about their Christian community, offering them a chance to find Jesus, purpose, and friendship the ways she did. She even met one student who, when hearing there were Christians who gathered on campus, responded, “I thought I was the only one!” 

Hear more of what Ashley has to say about her story by watching the video below.