'That's Texas people': Residents of mostly Christian town quick to support Congregation Beth Israel, but don't believe synagogue was specifically targeted by hostage-taker
photo/JOSH CLAYWELL
The Rev. Mike Ash sits at his desk Sunday afternoon at the Taylor County Ministerial Association Food Pantry. That was his dream growing up in Sanford, Florida, as a kid. But as he has come to learn, God has a funny sense of humor. Ash was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1964, and he served for 22 years. His career took him all over the world and led him down the path he’s still walking today: as the longtime pastor of Mt. Union Baptist Church in Summersville. His military career featured plenty of stops, including Fort Knox and in Hawaii, Texas, Germany and Korea.