Founder's Personal Journey
A Journey of Identity, Faith & Purpose
There are moments in life when we don’t fully understand who we are, yet God has been writing our story all along. My journey has been one of discovery, redemption, and divine purpose—one where God exchanged my ashes for His beauty.
After the passing of my father, I found myself repeatedly drawn to the Nigerian community. Strangers would approach me, speaking Igbo, Yoruba, or Nigerian Pidgin English, fully convinced that I was Nigerian. At the time, I didn’t speak the language nor had I explored my ancestry, yet the connection was undeniable. Curiosity led me to take a DNA test, and the results confirmed what others had seen in me for years—I was more than 50% Nigerian, most likely even more due to historical shifts in geographical regions.
This revelation wasn’t just about heritage; it was a divine unveiling. I had been given different names over the years by men I dated, by mentors, by friends. But it wasn’t until one of the most challenging seasons of my life that God Himself gave me a name. Everywhere I turned, the encouragement I received was the same: “God is with you.” Over and over again, across different people, different nations, different moments, the words remained the same.
One day, as I sought deeper clarity, I researched how to say “God is with me” in Igbo, the language of my ancestors. That’s when I saw it: Chisom.
It wasn’t just a name; it was a declaration, a divine confirmation of my identity and purpose. Some might say, “You can’t just name yourself.” But I say, Who better to name me than the One who created me?
The Significance of My Name
Names in the Bible weren’t just labels; they were destinies spoken into existence. Each of my names reflects a piece of my calling, my mission, and God’s hand upon my life:
- Ashlei – Meaning “Meadow” or “Dweller near the ash tree,” a symbol of strength and restoration. Even in the ashes, new life emerges.
- Chisom (Igbo, Nigeria) – Meaning “God is with me,” a constant reminder that no matter the trials, I am never alone.
- Nicole – Meaning “Victory of the People,” a prophetic declaration that my life’s work is not just for me, but for the people I am called to serve.
- Evans – Derived from the Hebrew name “John” (Yochanan), meaning “God is gracious,” a reminder of God’s unmerited favor and faithfulness over my life.
Together, these names affirm that I am a bridge, a disruptor, and a builder sent to illuminate identity, transform lives, and empower nations.
How My Journey Shaped This Work
This revelation of identity directly connects to the mission of The Ash Exchange International. My life has been shaped by cross cultural experiences, leadership development, biblical education, and a deep commitment to discipleship. The same way God led me to discover my identity in Christ, I now help others do the same through global missions, faith based education, literacy advancement, and leadership development.
God is intentional about every detail of our lives. Our ancestry, our experiences, our challenges, and even the names we carry all shape purpose. I stand as a witness of His transformative power, and through The Ash Exchange International, I am committed to equipping others to walk in wholeness, clarity, and Kingdom impact.
This calling expanded into multiple expressions. Through global partnerships and leadership development, BRIDGE Nations was launched as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on training and mobilizing servant leaders across nations. Through continued work in education, the importance of literacy as a foundation for opportunity and transformation became increasingly clear, leading to the development of Literacy Beyond Barriers to advance literacy and support educational growth.
Together, these expressions reflect one mission carried out through multiple pathways: cultivating discipleship and biblical literacy, advancing educational impact, and strengthening nations through global partnerships.
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