Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford has served as the Discipleship Ministries staff representative for the Wesley Pilgrimage as the Director of Adult Discipleship on the Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship since 2026. She is an ordained elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church where she previously served on staff in the Office of Clergy Excellence. She lives in Lincoln, Nebraska with her husband, Todd, and their golden retriever, Monroe.

What’s your experience with the Wesley Pilgrimage?

2026 was my first Wesley Pilgrimage to England, though I’ve coordinated two pilgrimages exploring John and Charles’ missionary journey to Georgia. 

What are you you looking forward to on the Pilgrimage?

I’m anticipating the opportunity for people to explore how the heritage of the Methodist Movement begun by John and Charles Wesley continues to inspire the same spirit in the Church today! The pilgrimage is designed to have elements of the Wesleyan DNA—rhythms of prayer and worship, learning, and small groups—and provides space and time for reflection, connection with one another and with God. I’m excited to experience it again with this group of pilgrims. 

Who should join the pilgrimage?

The pilgrimage will combine head knowledge about the Wesleys and the Methodist Movement with practices of prayer, worship, and intentional conversation. Clergy who are new in appointed ministry or seasoned clergy who are open to a fresh perspective, plus laity who want an immersive experience of our Wesleyan history would benefit from our pilgrimage. 

Anything else people should know about the Pilgrimage?

When talking about this experience, it’s not uncommon for people to tell me that they’ve long had a Wesleyan pilgrimage on their “bucket list.” If that’s the case, your participation will shape your next season of ministry and re-invigorate your lived theology. The Wesleyan story is a remarkable one of how the Holy Spirit awakened people to new life in Christ.  It’s exciting to claim our spiritual heritage and see what God can do through our church.