Ashley is originally from Willard, Missouri. He graduated from Willard High School in 1988. After high school he attended college at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
After college, he was one of the founding members of a gospel group called Chosen Few. Chosen Few sang at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri from 1992 to 2001. Chosen Few has sang on the road ministering across the country from 2001 to the present. In 2000 he started guest appearing on a national televised hunting show called “Show Me Outdoor Adventures”. He still appears on the show which is aired on Fox Sports Midwest, and the Sportsman Channel. He is co-host of a national DVD series called “Hunting ‘His’ Way”. This video series has hunts from across the world and testimonies from Ashley and the hunters telling of just how great a God we serve. Ashley enjoys mostly archery hunting and shoots for “Mathews” archery.
Ashley and His wife Michelle were married in 1992. They have two beautiful girls, Ashlyn & Tristyn. A few years into their marriage they started having difficulties in all parts of their marriage. They went to a marriage seminar a friend was hosting. God did a miraculous work in their hearts, and instilled a passion for growing a right relationship with each other. A few years later they found their selves teaching and ministering to marriages all over the country. They now host marriage retreats for churches and host one in Branson each year. Ashley believes each marriage out there deserves to know the tools he and Michelle learned to have a great marriage regardless of the situation they may be in.
The whole family owns and operates “Byler Ranch” kids summer camp. Byler Ranch is a God – centered 80 acre ranch that has been in the family since Ashley’s Grandfather, Clell Byler (Grandpa) purchased it in the 60′s. The ranch has been named after Mr. Byler. They desire to reach out to every young person with an unconditional love, helping each one to realize his own worth. The Ellison’s desire is to communicate the Love of Christ by leading young people in physical, mental, and spiritual activities that stimulate the Camper TO DO and TO BE his or her best! Learning the freedom of laughing at oneself and learning to live free from fear of failure are major objectives. Byler Ranch is truly a place where every Young Person is Outstanding all by himself!
Ashley is thrilled at what God has in store for his life. He is pastor of Christian Ministries Church of Southwest, Missouri. He and his wife started a mission church in southwest Missouri designed to minister to the family. They believe if you can teach Husband and Wife to love each other as God intends them to, then you have parents who can raise kids as God intends them to. If you have families operating correctly then you have a church that can minister effectively. He travels across the country speaking for several different events including: wild game dinners, marriage retreats, and revivals. Ashley has a way of helping people understand that God has a very special purpose and plan for their life!
His hobbies include water and snow skiing, boating, snowmobiling, golf, four wheeling, and of course hunting. Ashley and his family have a heart to teach and lead families by the Word and by example.
