Overcomers

Holly T. Ashley is a warrior forged in affliction, refined by the fire of adversity, and commissioned by God to proclaim liberty to the captives through the power of the gospel (Isaiah 61:1). Her testimony is not one of defeat but of divine redemption, restoration, and recovery. (View it here: https://youtu.be/OEhkG5C9ep0).She has walked through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4)—enduring molestation in childhood, a horrific gang rape at the age of five, and domestic violence that crushed her bones but could not crush her spirit. By the age of 30, Holly had survived three marriages and divorces, raised two children on her own, and was making a living as a stripper. Yet, in every trial, God’s hand was upon her. Like Joseph in the pit and Paul in prison, she clung to the promise that her suffering would not be wasted—that the Author of her story was still writing. Answering God’s call to turn pain into purpose, Holly earned a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. Today, she serves as a vessel of truth and healing, advocating boldly for survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Through teaching, writing, speaking, and advocating, she brings the message of Christ’s redemption into dark, forgotten places—offering hope to the broken, healing to the wounded, and justice for the oppressed (Micah 6:8).Like Esther before the throne, Holly stands in holy boldness—unafraid to speak truth to power, confront systemic evil, and defend the defenseless (Esther 4:14).Her scars are evidence of the victory won through the blood of the Lamb and the word of her testimony (Revelation 12:11).With unshakable faith and a heart set on eternity, Holly embodies the mission of Isaiah 61: to proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, and exchange ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and despair for praise. Her life is living proof that God still heals, still redeems, and still rebuilds—and that no pit is so deep that His arm cannot reach.“It was good that I was afflicted, that I may learn your statutes” Ps. 119:71.Holly is a published author, speaker, and chief executive assistant to the Pastor of Pump. Her blog can be found at Hollytashley.com and she can be reached at info@crossstrengthministries.org

Several years ago, Beth, underwent many medical complications including liver, pancreas, and gallbladder issues. She also suffers from fibromyalgia and underwent several surgeries to correct issues she had. Management of these ailments, along with blood pressure issues, are things she deals with daily. She went from a thriving, active adult who always took care of everyone else around her, to being completely bedridden and having to depend on others to help her in her time of need. She almost died but by the grace of God, she is still here. A year ago, she was asked to join the EchoTV team. Not only did it give her her purpose back, it renewed her strength and drive to be able to help others and shine the light of Jesus into the world again. She is now Chief Communications Officer at EchoTV and she takes care of all logistical things, as well as being a safe space for the dozens and dozens of cast and crew that are under her watchful eye and care. She handles thousands of tasks daily and still makes time to be a loving, grace filled caregiver to those of us who are affiliated with EchoTV. Her love for Jesus shines in everything she puts her hands to and the ministry part of EchoTV would not be possible without her. She is the sounding board and first line of communication for anyone reaching out to be part of the ministry or just needing an ear and loving heart to listen. Through the grace and mercy of God, she is now getting back to being the more active individual she once was, including being on set, where I have witnessed her loving care and ministry of Jesus, to those around her many times. No one is more deserving of the “Overcomer” award than Beth Brown.

Born into a family of boxers, (his father was an amateur boxer and his cousin fought professionally) in Nashville, TN, Anthony naturally loved the sport from a young age. He was also born into a family of zealous drinkers. “Everyone would get drunk and fight,” he says. “I thought that’s just how life was.” In 1997 he fought 18 fights in 10 months for Don King. Cooper’s boxing career was going well. But Anthony’s manager decided to move to Virginia. He didn’t want to go, so he decided to call it quits and began waiting tables. That same year his mother died at age 43 from a seizure. Her death marked Anthony’s turn from bad to worse. “I turned to drugs (cocaine) and alcohol to deal with the pain. I didn’t know how to turn to God for comfort,” he says. Anthony married Leeann that next year. His drug and alcohol addiction took a toll on his new marriage. “It got really bad. There were times I wouldn’t come home all night,” Anthony laments. With divorce on the horizon, Leeann did the only thing she knew to do. She got on her knees and prayed for God to save her marriage.After Leeann spent six months praying and speaking God's Word, God started drawing Anthony back to Him. Eventually Anthony quit drinking. He says God strategically placed people in his life to encourage him in his faith. Due to some drug charges from his past, Anthony then went to prison to begin serving a three year sentence. Because he was a changed man by then, he used his time in prison to grow in God's Word and lead people to Jesus. While incarcerated, he led 60 people to the Lord, prayed with numerous inmates to receive healing, and led over 50 of them to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While it was definitely a challenge, Anthony began to stand on God's Word that this would turn out for his deliverance according to Philippians 1:19. After 17 months, he won an appeal and walked out scott free with nothing on his record. God is faithful! Now Anthony and his wife share how to win the battles in life with the Word of God on their weekly television program called Ring of Faith.

I grew up in a home filled with drugs, alcohol, violence, and deep emotional trauma. It wasn’t just chaotic, it was damaging. In that same environment, I experienced humiliation, shame, and was even taken advantage of by a neighborhood boy. By my early teens, I had already seen too much. I remember my girlfriend at the time being taken advantage of by an adult after we were both intoxicated for the first time. That moment, and so many others, left marks that I carried for years. I struggled with suicidal thoughts for a long time. At 14 years old, when I took my first drink, it didn’t just feel like an escape, it became a way of life. And for nearly 20 years, I never really stopped. Even after attempting to take my own life by jumping headfirst from a third-story loft, and surviving with serious injuries, I went right back to drugs and alcohol. I was prescribed medication for the pain, but it only fed the cycle I was already trapped in. Eventually, my choices caught up with me. I got behind the wheel intoxicated and crashed. That moment became a turning point. It forced me to face the reality of where my life was headed. But that’s not where my story ends. Today, I’ve made it my life’s mission to give back, to meet people right where they are, and to bring them hope through the love of Jesus. Through Kingdom F.I.T.- Faith and Training, I get to walk alongside people one-on-one, helping them grow physically and spiritually. Through RISE AS LIONS, our nonprofit, we serve the recovery community and lead initiatives like Recovery Rebels softball, creating connection, purpose, and healing. I also work full time doing street outreach as I serve the homeless. I also had the opportunity to write my book, God’s Awning, which tells the story of how God’s protection and grace met me even in my darkest moment. I’ve stood in the gap for seven men that attempted to take their own life, but God had other plans for them. One of the I had to physically take the knife out of their hands while they were in the act of un-aliving themselves. Today, I’m a husband and a father to three beautiful children. One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the restoration of my relationship with my oldest. Now, everything I do is about giving back. About showing people that no matter how far gone you think you are, there is still hope. There is still purpose. And there is still a way forward.

I thank the Lord Jesus for bringing me out of darkness into His marvelous and glorious light!  I was raised Muslim and accepted Christ into my life in my early 20's, and my life has not been the same.  I have found no greater peace, no greater love and no greater joy!

I am honored to nominate Shana Kay for the Overcomer Award. Shana’s story is one of true restoration. She experienced deep loss and hurt at a young age, lost her children, and spent years battling addiction while enduring abuse and believing she was only worth what others reduced her to. But that is not where her story ended. Shana has been sober for three years. She has fought her way back with courage and consistency. She has regained custody of two of her children and is about to bring another one home. She gave birth to a baby she has raised from the beginning — her first child to keep and fully mother — and she has done it with strength and devotion. She now runs her own cleaning company, stands as a business owner, and is married to a godly man who loves her well. Shana Kay is not just surviving; she is rebuilding what was broken and walking in dignity. She represents redemption, perseverance, and what it truly means to overcome.