From Darkness to Light: Ashli White's Journey of Faith and Work

Welcome to Kingdom Factor, where we explore the intersection of faith and work. Today, we're honored to share the powerful testimony of Ashli White, a mid-career leader at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Ashli's journey is a testament to God's unwavering love and transformative power, moving her from a place of deep despair to a life of purpose and service.

Ashli's early life was marked by a unique upbringing, raised by her grandfather and great-grandmother, which instilled in her a sense of responsibility from a young age. She recalls a profound awareness of God's presence even as a four-year-old, a feeling that stayed with her despite a non-traditional religious background. However, like many, her college years at Temple University led to questioning her faith, eventually drawing her into New Age thought and universalism.

Despite this spiritual wandering, Ashli felt God's leading throughout her career. She describes a period in her late twenties, working in unfulfilling data entry jobs, where she would listen to sermons by Joyce Meyer and Pastor Steven Furtick, often in tears. It was during this time that God began to minister to her heart, revealing areas that needed transformation. "That was the first time that I ever heard the voice of God and was really having a relationship with God as opposed to just knowing of him," Ashli shares. The initial conviction was about her "wicked tongue" – her tendency towards gossip and pettiness. As she worked on this, other aspects of her personality began to shift, opening her to new friendships and a less judgmental perspective.

From Spiritual Darkness to Redemption

Her journey took a darker turn in late 2018 and early 2019, when personal events collided with a lifelong struggle with major depression. Deep into New Age practices, she believed she could communicate with God through candles and tarot cards, unaware of the spiritual dangers. This path led to increasing depression and mental torment. "I didn't care about the ladder anymore. I didn't care about... I really didn't care about breathing," she recounts. The enemy convinced her she was too far gone, that God would never accept her, leading to a mental breakdown that required hospitalization.

It was in this profound darkness that Ashli cried out to God. "I just believe that everything in that moment had to change. Everything. Or I wasn't going to survive." During her time in the hospital, she began to talk to God out loud, and a clear message emerged: "Get into the Word." Despite her fear and the lingering panic attacks, she started reading the Bible. "God started to just pull me out of it," she says. This experience made it clear that she needed to work somewhere she could serve the Kingdom, not just her own ambition. This led her to the Department of Human Services, where she now helps vulnerable communities in the Pittsburgh area.

Experiencing God’s Transforming Love

Ashli vividly remembers a pivotal moment during her recovery. Waking up angry and not wanting to face another day, she felt the Lord's presence, a loving voice saying, "Hello, daughter. Good morning. I'm so glad to spend this moment with you." This overwhelming love, initially frightening, brought her to tears. "Why would anyone love me? Like, I'm so nothing. I'm so damaged. I'm so trash." In that moment, the Holy Spirit's peace, "beyond understanding," enveloped her, taking away the chaos and pain. "That was the first time I really just felt God meet me in that pain and just take it away."

Now, Ashli intentionally integrates her faith into her work. She openly identifies as a Christian, bringing her "authentic Christian self to work." She shares her testimony, attributing her career advancements not just to hard work but to God's favor. She's seen God double her salary and provide promotions without her even asking. This transparency has created opportunities for others to explore their faith, with interns joining her prayer group and colleagues feeling comfortable discussing their beliefs. Her office whiteboard, adorned with scripture, serves as a silent witness to her faith.

Living Out Faith in the Workplace

Ashli maintains her spiritual alignment through daily Bible study, reading from the Old and New Testaments, Psalms, and Proverbs. She also reads Christ-centered books in her downtime. This consistent engagement with the Word has strengthened her conviction and discernment, guiding her decisions both personally and professionally.

Three scriptures particularly guide Ashli:

• Proverbs 18:21: "Life and death is in the power of the tongue" – a reminder to filter her words.

• Mark 10:18: "No one is good but one God" – freeing her from the burden of perfectionism.

• James 1:17: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, in whom there is no alteration or shifting shadow" – reminding her of God's unchanging nature amidst life's ups and downs.

For those entering the workforce or seeking to live out their faith authentically at work, Ashli offers this wisdom: "Don't lose that [conviction] because the world will try to make you think it makes you weak... that conviction in your heart is a reminder that we're not of this world and we are called to look above." She emphasizes that true fulfillment comes not from worldly accolades or excessive competition, but from maintaining integrity and remembering our spiritual calling.

A Life of Purpose and Witness

Ashli concludes with a powerful reflection: "We are temples of Christ. The Lord is with us. So everywhere that we go is holy and God is there." She challenges us to consider if God would be pleased with how we steward our time, money, and gifts, reminding us that every moment is an opportunity to honor Him. Ashli White's story is a beacon of hope, illustrating that even from the darkest places, God's love can lead us to a life of profound purpose and impact.