FAIRHOPE — She has a faith story full of surprises and miracles, and 1819 News vice president of finance and events Ashley Carter is telling it all in hopes of inspiring young people to chase their dreams in the face of adversity.
Carter, a wife, mom and patriot, spoke to the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter at Coastal Alabama Community College in Fairhope.
“I pray that your generation will leave here feeling the motivation to rise up with courage, conviction and clarity in a culture that desperately needs all three,” Carter said. “It seems in some ways we have lost something that is priceless in our culture and that is the ability to disagree without destroying one another. Somewhere along the way, disagreements became dangerous. Sharing what you believed became risky and people stopped debating ideas and instead started attacking people.”
Carter encouraged the students to stand for what they believe in without hiding.
“Truth isn’t meant to be violent. Courage isn’t to be used for cruelty and conviction isn’t to be felt as hate,” she said. “One man who lived this out boldly and beautifully was Charlie Kirk.”
Practicing what she was preaching, Carter told her story for the first time in public. She explained how she felt after she found out she was pregnant during her senior year in high school. The biological father of the child left and while Carter said she was angry, she knew she had to look to God.
“This is where God started to create the most beautiful story of love, forgiveness and grace,” she remembered. “I was three months pregnant, and a friend introduced me to a guy she thought that I should meet. Like, really, what guy is going to be interested in a girl who is pregnant? We met in spite of that, and all I can say is, ‘But God.’ We became friends and eventually fell in love, and then when my handsome son, Christopher James, was born, he was right there with me. We were married shortly after, and Nick, my amazing husband, adopted my son.”
The two have been together since. Christopher is now 25, and the couple also has a 24-year-old daughter and two grandchildren.
“While God’s way bring life, our culture has drifted far from it,” Carter said. “There was a time in America – your grandparents’ era – when one income could support a family. Not because mothers lacked ambition, but because society valued the home and recognized that raising children was essential, meaningful work.”
Carter said things are not the same and families are weaker. She encouraged the audience to change the trajectory by returning to God’s design, rebuild strong homes and restore faith, family and courage.
“For the young men, God has called you to lead, protect, build and take dominion – not with harshness, but with humility, strength and courage,” said Carter.
“For the young women, God has trusted you with a sacred, powerful calling: To nurture life, shape generations and build homes that stand strong in a shaking culture. This calling is not small. It is not outdated. It is glorious.”
In closing, Carter reminded the students that God created them, and they are all part of His perfect plan.
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