Welcome to a special episode of the Alongside Podcast featuring a conversation with our newest staff members, Dave Ashburn and Joshua Hankins. Dave and Joshua were recently introduced at the January business meeting, but you can hear all about their life, ministry experience, and new positions as they talk with Pastor Nathan and Kent on today’s episode.
Dave Ashburn
Director of Adult Ministries
Dave grew up in Winston-Salem, NC in a family that loved Jesus and has always been very involved in church. He studied Missionary Aviation at Piedmont International University (now Carolina University). He later attended the seminary at Bob Jones University earning an M.A. in Religion. After graduation from seminary, he spent nearly seven years as a youth and assistant pastor at his home church in Winston-Salem. He’s spent the last seven and a half years teaching in the School of Aeronautics at Liberty. He has been married to Megan since 2013 and they have three kids; Micah, Jane, and Ava. They joined Heritage in 2015 and have been very involved with Converge, the college and young adult ministry of Heritage. They love spending time together, especially enjoying time outside. Dave also loves small airplanes, spicy tacos, and black coffee.
Joshua Hankins
Director of Adventure Kids
Joshua was raised in Lynchburg and attended Heritage for his final years of high school. After high school, he moved to East Asia, where he spent four years studying and teaching as a missionary with Word of Life. Kelsey grew up as a pastor’s kid in Maryland, and worked for Word of Life in New York (where she and Joshua met) for several years before moving to East Asia as a missionary. In 2018, Joshua and Kelsey moved back to the US to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, where Joshua received his ThM and Kelsey received her Master’s of Biblical and Theological Studies. While studying and serving in their local church, the Lord shaped their affections for his church and for advancing theological education in the church for all ages. They are both grateful for the opportunity to join in the work God is doing through Heritage Baptist Church.Â