Ashro Woman: D’Ann J.
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, D’Ann J. from Covington, GA
As a pastor AND a pastor’s wife, D’Ann shares both marriage and ministry with her husband. This was not planned. In fact, D’Ann says, “Being the First Lady is proof of God’s sense of humor…I specifically told Him that I did not want to marry a pastor.”
Thirty years ago (and three years into their marriage), she and her husband started New Covenant Christian Ministries. Since that time, New Covenant has grown into a large, loving, dynamic church.
D’Ann’s influence does not stop there. As the founder of a non-profit, she mentors women in their calling and purpose. “My best advice for any woman is to discover who she is and then walk fully in her grace.”
As a mother, the lessons D’Ann has learned also deserve sharing: 1. My child is not mine. He has been entrusted to my care for safekeeping and training in godliness and life purpose.
2. While I will always be his mother, he will not always need me in the same way. I must realize that I am important in every season of his life, but I must change how I execute my impact.
3. Children don’t do what we say; they do what we do. Therefore, I must do less talking and more walking.
| Name |
| D’Ann J. |
| Which city do you live? |
| Covington |
| Which state do you live? |
| Georgia |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? |
| The Ashro woman uses fashion to fit her lifestyle, display her uniqueness, and celebrate her culture. These are all elements I look for in selecting clothing and why I shop Ashro. |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? |
| I am Executive Pastor/COO for a local church and the founder of a non-profit. What I like most about my role with the church is staff and volunteer development and creating strategies for mission and vision accomplishment. Through my non-profit, I most enjoy mentoring and coaching women in their life call and purpose. There isn’t much I don’t like in either of my positions, though I sometimes find myself frustrated when I don’t seem to be accomplishing all that I set out to do. |
| How do you spend your free time? |
| What free time 😊? I spend my free time reading, writing, and binge-watching Hallmark movies |
| What small thing makes you happy? |
| Small things that makes me happy are Butter Pecan and Coffee ice cream and babies laughing. |
| What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it? |
| My best dish is Baked Salmon. My husband calls me the Salmon Whisperer, and I regularly prepare this meal for my family and guests. |
| What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph? |
| Keeping a consistent exercise regimen is, without a doubt, my greatest struggle. My latest triumph is completing and launching my fifth self-published book, entitled The Seasons of a Woman’s Life. |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? |
| The most significant influence in my life is my paternal and maternal grandparents. My father’s parents raised me from birth to age ten after raising nine children. Their sacrificial love was the precursor to understanding the sacrificial love of God, and the love they displayed for one another became my blueprint for what marriage and family should be. My mother’s parents raised me from age ten to seventeen, after having raised twelve children. They created a strong, secure, and enjoyable environment in which I could grow. They gave me the tools necessary to make wise and purposeful decisions that continue to guide and benefit me. |
| Do you volunteer or do charity work? Tell us about it! |
| Under the auspices of our local church, I have many opportunities to volunteer and do charity work locally, nationally, and internationally. Some of our most significant efforts have centered around food distribution, clothing drives, health screenings, and support of local and international missions. One of my most impactful efforts was an international mission trip to rebuild an orphanage and provide a summer program for underserved children. |
| Are you in a sorority? Or is anyone in your family in a sorority? If so, which one and what does it mean to you? |
| I am not in a sorority. Several of my aunts pledged AKA, and I have always had a deep appreciation for the relationships they maintained through their sisterhood and the work they did in education and the community. |
| What do you love about fashion and style? |
| What I love most about fashion and style is that it is so personal. For me, it serves as an outward expression of an inward sense of self. I love the fact that fashion and style enable me to convey the variety of ways that I feel or how I want to show up in the world on a given day. |
| Has anyone in particular influenced your style? |
| One of my aunts was a professional seamstress, and another one was skilled in the art of crocheting. As a result, a good deal of my wardrobe was tailored to my frame and size. That gave me an appreciation for quality, classic clothing. It also gave me confidence that I did not have to be skinny to look good in my clothes. |
| What occasions/events do you dress up for? (for example-do you often dress up for church, cultural events, charity events, going out, etc.) And how often do you typically get dressed up? |
| Before the pandemic, I had regular opportunities to dress up, including church and social events. As we cautiously emerge from the restrictions, I am slowly dressing up more frequently. Each week I am sure to be dressed up at least once for church and then for any other special events on my schedule (e.g., funerals, weddings, and other celebrations). |
| How has your style evolved over time? |
| I would say about the evolution of my style that I have been far more intentional about building a casual wardrobe that allows me to blend the classic style I enjoy without being as corporate or formal. I guess you might say I have evolved to incorporate a more “Jazzy Casual” style. |
| Do you wear hats? How often and what type of hat? Do you wear them to church? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a hat with us! |
| I love hats but I don’t have an opportunity to wear all the hats that I own. |
| Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us! |
| I do not wear headwraps. |
| Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us! |
| I do not wear wigs. |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. |
| I am a woman of faith—a faith in Christ that informs every area of my life and affects my worldview. As a child, my grandmother told me that God loved me so much that, if I were the only person in the world, He would have still sent Jesus to the Earth, and Jesus would have still died just for me. That imprinted an image on my heart of a loving God I looked forward to living for and serving. My greatest desire is to live in a way that others will sense His presence even before the mention of His name. |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? |
| Every week you will find me worshipping at New Covenant Christian Ministries in Lithonia, GA, the church my husband and I started thirty years ago with only one person other than the two of us. I love so many things about our church, but the two that stand out to me are the deep commitment to grounding people in the Word and the sense of love and community that permeates the entire church. We have grown to a large church by God’s grace while maintaining a warm, loving, and friendly environment. |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? |
| My husband and I believed that the most effective way to pass along our faith was to live it out before our son daily. As pastors, we were careful to prioritize our family so that our son could enjoy church life without feeling he was competing with the church. He gave his heart to Christ at the age of eight, and now, at almost twenty-five, he is continuing to grow in faith, grace, and wisdom. He is preparing to marry a wonderful young woman who also loves and serves the Lord, and we fully expect them to pass that same faith on to their children. |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? |
| Yes |
| If yes, tell us about it. |
| I have the distinct privilege of being both a First Lady and a Pastor. Being the First Lady is proof of God’s sense of humor since I specifically told Him that I did not want to marry a pastor (to which my husband quickly interjects that he was not a pastor when we got married thirty-three years ago). Of course, that sounds like some legal fine-print stuff to me 😊. Three years into our marriage, we started New Covenant Christian Ministries, where I have had the privilege of pastoring the flock alongside my husband. We are blessed to enjoy marriage and ministry together. |
| Your best advice? |
| My best advice for any woman is to discover who she is and then walk fully in her grace. While we should enjoy the benefits of fashion and beauty, we must remember that our true magnificence comes from within. From a place of inner peace and security, we live authentic and powerful lives for ourselves while celebrating and empowering the women around us. Of a truth, there is nothing more beautiful than a woman who is comfortable in her own skin. |
| What lessons has motherhood (or being a grandmother) taught you? |
| Motherhood has taught me many lessons. Here are a few: 1. “My” child is not mine. He has been entrusted to my care for safekeeping and training in godliness and life purpose. 2. While I will always be his mother, he will not always need me in the same way. I must realize that I am important in every season of his life, but I must change how I execute my impact. 3. Children don’t do what we say; they do what we do. Therefore, I must do less talking and more walking. |
| Are you an Ashro Credit customer? If so, how has our credit helped you? |
| I am not an Ashro Credit customer. |
| Do you have a memory to share of when you first heard about Ashro or when you received your first catalog? |
| I do not remember when I first heard about Ashro, but I know how I became aware of it. My former neighbor, Leslie Royal, is a writer, blogger, and brand ambassador for Ashro. She would include me in emails that advertised pieces she had written or that promoted special Ashro events. That led me to go online and check out the line. After my first purchase, I was hooked. I am not just a satisfied customer; I am an Ashro Woman! |
Thanks for inspiring us, D’Ann!
If you’d like a chance to be a future Ashro Woman of the Week, share your story with us—then watch your weekly Ashro emails to see if you’re featured next! Already filled out our questionnaire? Then you’re all set (you may see yourself featured in next week’s email)! Make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!
Comments (2)
Charlotte Hill
Luv this unique aspect of Astro; each blogs gives me a better insight into my community and how the items sold here look on real people,
Keep up the heart wor!
Angela Yeldell
I just want to say, I have visited new covenant in Lithonia, Ga. I had the grace pleasure to meet Lady Johnson in a leadership mentor class. She is gracious and warm every time and always dressed fabulously. I really enjoyed this article of recognition. She so humble and inviting.