Rev. Samuel Derick Kofi Ashley is an ordained elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Born and raised in Ghana, a country that can be found on the West Coast of Africa, he attended the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra for his bachelor’s degree in History and the Study of Religions. He obtained his Master of Education degree in Political Science from the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and holds a Master of Divinity from Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, NJ. Pastor Kofi serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, the Northeast District Committee on Ministry (DCOM), and the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) Nominations Committee.

Pastor Kofi has served at several United Methodist Churches: East Stroudsburg, Portland, Analomink, Richmond, and most recently, Mount Pocono, where he served since 2012 prior to his return to minister here at East Stroudsburg on July 1st, 2020. He loves prayer, worship, and Bible Study, cooking, shopping, sports, and hanging out with his eight-year-old son, Sammy. He is excited to get to know the church family and community, to build relationships, and to welcome new families to ESUMC.