Our Pastor
Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith was called to serve as pastor at Ash Baptist Church in October of 2018. Before joining the family at Ash, he, his wife Kim, and their three children lived in Ft. Worth on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he completed his Master of Divinity. He previously served as youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Kemp, TX for six years. Prior to entering ministry Ryan earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business from Dallas Baptist University and worked in the business world for 15 years.
Ryan responded to the gospel and came to know Christ as Lord at 9 years old through the witness of his parents. Raised on Caddo Lake, Ryan is originally from Mooringsport, LA but moved to Scurry, TX in 1993 with his mother and father, Lynn and Kenneth Smith, as well as his brother, Andrew, and sister, Adrian. He and his wife Kimberly have been married since 2002 and have three wonderful children: Lauren, Benjamin, and Zachary.
Our Worship Minister
Colby Sanders
Colby Sanders and his wife, Michelle, joined Ash in September 2019. In May of 2020 Ash was delighted to call one of our very own to serve as our new Music Minister. In 2025 Colby felt God calling him into deeper service. On March 8, 2026, Ash ordained Colby to be the new Associate Pastor.
Colby was raised by his mother and father, Michele and Steve, in Brownsboro, TX along with his brother, Bryan. It was during this time that Colby was saved at 11 years of age. Now, on many Wednesday nights Bryan can be found helping Colby lead Ash in worship. Colby attended Rock Hill Baptist Church for more than 20 years where he served in multiple volunteer positions.
After graduating from Brownsboro Colby attended college at TVCC and received a degree in para medicine and worked in the medical field for four years. He is currently attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in anticipation of a Masters in Theological Studies. He and Michelle have been married for 9 years and have three daughters, Annamarie, Aubree and Andie, along with 3 dogs and a kennel full of visiting animals they watch over at the Rockin’ S Pet Boarding facility.
