My Story
How God called a kid from Las Vegas to Bible college in Peru
Hey, I'm Ashton Winningham
I'm 19 years old, originally from Las Vegas, and right now I'm in a 2-year discipleship program at CBI Peru in Trujillo. If you told me a few years ago that I'd be living in South America training for missions, I probably wouldn't have believed you.
But God has a way of leading us exactly where we need to be - even when it doesn't make sense at first.
How I Got Here
My faith journey hasn't been a straight line. Like a lot of people, I grew up in church but had to make my faith my own at some point. That process took time, and there were seasons where I wasn't sure what I believed or where I was going.
But God was patient with me. Through different circumstances - conversations with people who challenged me, moments of conviction, and a growing hunger to understand Scripture - He drew me closer to Himself.
Eventually, I couldn't ignore the pull toward missions. It wasn't some dramatic moment where the clouds parted. It was more like a steady growing sense that this is what I was made for. Teaching the Bible, sharing the Gospel, serving people who need to hear about Jesus - that's where my heart is.
Why Peru?
When I started looking at Bible colleges, CBI Peru stood out. It's a 2-year discipleship program in Trujillo - a city of over a million people in northern Peru. It's not the easiest path - I had to leave home, learn Spanish, and adapt to a completely different culture. But that's kind of the point.
CBI is serious about training disciples, not just students. The first year is intensive study of God's Word, and the second year focuses on ministry preparation. It's hands-on and personal - the staff doesn't just lecture, they spend time with us, pray with us, and disciple us. We're also connected to a local Calvary Chapel church where we can serve and be part of the community.
Being in South America gives me a front-row seat to see how the church operates in a different context. It's stretching me in ways I didn't expect, and I'm grateful for that.
What I'm Learning
Bible college is intense in the best way. Here's what my training looks like:
Biblical Greek
Learning the original language of the New Testament helps me understand Scripture at a deeper level.
Systematic Theology
Understanding what the whole Bible teaches about key doctrines - God, salvation, the church, and more.
Hermeneutics
How to properly interpret and teach the Bible so I can handle God's Word accurately.
Practical Ministry
Preaching, teaching, counseling, and leadership skills for real-world ministry.
What's Next
Honestly? I don't have it all figured out. I know God has called me to ministry, but the specific shape of that is still unfolding. Maybe it'll be church planting, maybe teaching at a Bible college, maybe something I haven't even thought of yet.
What I do know is that I want to spend my life helping people know God through His Word. Whether that's in Peru, back in the States, or somewhere else entirely - I'm open to wherever He leads.
For now, my focus is finishing my training well, growing in character and knowledge, and trusting God with the details.
Want to Follow Along?
I send out updates about what's happening here in Peru - what I'm learning, how God is working, and how you can pray. I'd love for you to be part of this journey.