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Featured CLI Student of the Week: Aaron Frick: "Christ grabbed hold of me at a youth conference when I was 14 and called me to his work. I had been raised in the faith, but I was just going through the motions of being a “good little church boy.” At age 14, that changed and God became a regular part of my life and I took my faith as my own. I have since been pursuing ministry in whatever capacity he deems appropriate.

God has placed a call on my life to church plant. I spent much time in the Amway business, and developed skills for meeting new people. I am bi-lingual and have a desire to pastor a church. I have assisted in the startup of a not-for-profit organization, and I love people. My dream is to develop church planters by planting churches.

We are currently involved in a church plant and I am working full time. If I were to have to pay normal costs for schooling, we would be so financially stressed that our family would not be able to give of itself to others. A scholarship at CLI would allow me to get the training I need without the financial stress often required."

Featured CLI Student of the Week: Michael Fisher: "My wife and I have five children. Both she and I work full time jobs in order to provide for our family. With the economy the way it is there is just no way that I could financially support my family and pay to go to a seminary college. I would be so concerned if I did try that my studies would suffer, and I would not be successful. I am not sure where God is leading me, but I can feel him tugging on my heartstrings, and I am fully prepared to listen to him. I never dreamed that I would ever be considering a life of ministry, but I am. I never would have dreamed that I would look forward to going to church, and helping bring others to Christ, but I do. I have learned that, with Christ by your side, your life in his hands, there is nothing you can’t do.

My wife and I married close to twelve years ago. I was not a follower of Christ at the time. My wife was a follower, but because I wasn’t she didn’t go to church as much as she would have liked. After about seven years into our marriage I began to struggle. I struggled with my personality, drinking, and worst of all, with my wife. I began to question our relationship. Finally one day it all came crashing down on me. My wife was ready to leave me! My drinking and arguing had taking its toll on her. She was ready to take my kids and leave me. I had to ask myself, what have I done?

After several long conversations, my wife agreed to work on the relationship, but one of her conditions was I had to attend a financial seminar at our local church. I was reluctant but I wanted my marriage to work so I went. It wasn’t long after, a good friend of mine invited me to play softball with him on the same church’s softball team. I agreed. At this point I decided it would probably be nice of me to show up to a service once or twice, and so began my journey with Christ. I am not sure how or when he knocked down the wall of my heart, but he placed many people in my life that showed me the right path.

I believe deep down in my soul, the best way to do that is by ministering to the lost, by showing Gods mercy and grace, and by spreading his word. I pray that you find it in your heart too not only help me, but others that are feeling the financial burdens that lay upon so many.

Christian Leaders Institute is pleased to utilize study materials for our online Bible School written by Dr. Ed Roels. These materials will include the development of three classes at Christian Leaders Institute: One class on “Theology”, one class on “Grace” and one class on “Prayer.” Dr. Roels will participate in some interview lectures with Dr. David Feddes.

Dr. Ed Roels has passionately taught Christian Leaders for over 40 years, starting with working with the Bible League (1972-1978). He has served as a pastor and president of Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, MI (1987-1995), MI. He has written study guides and courses that have trained Christian Leaders in advancing the work of Christ, contributing to many organizations. This partnership will really help CLI continue to bring high level Bible College materials to develop Christian Leaders.

On Wednesday March 14, 2012, at a meeting near Chicago, Il USA, the Christian Leaders Institute Staff welcome Dr. Roels and his wife, Bertie. Though in his seventies, Dr. Roels’ passion for reaching and training Christians into effective leaders remains strong and vital.

Dr. David Feddes, the provost for CLI said, “This will go a long way to help realize a dream for Christian Leaders Institute. Eventually, we want to offer an entire ministry training certificate without the need to purchase books. We already have some classes not needing book purchases; this partnership with Dr. Roels will expand our offer to include some theological studies. Dr. Roels has presented material that is excellent and is formatted perfectly for CLI.”

This will allow advanced training in theology without the need to purchase course books, which can be expensive and unavailable to many Christian Leaders.

When will classes be ready to go? We are hoping that the first course will be ready in the second half of 2012.

There are 2.1 billion Christians in a world of 6.7 billion people. Every day about 160,000 people die. That means more than 100,000 people every day die not connected to Christ in any way, lost in the deadly waters of sin and death.

There are 2.1 billion Christians in a world of 6.7 billion people. Every day about 160,000 people die. That means more than 100,000 people every day die not connected to Christ in any way, lost in the deadly waters of sin and death.

Those in the deadly waters need to be rescued by a gospel lifeboat. The issue is not available lifeboats. We have the Bible and the Holy Spirit has been revealed. We have reached believers (church) in the boats who are willing to help.

We need more gospel lifeboat operators. We need more pastors, church planters, ministers, evangelists and chaplains. Lifeboat operators (Christian Leaders) who need to not only care for those already in the boats, but to steer the boats where the dying need to be rescued.

At Christian Leader Institute we train Gospel Lifeboat operators. If you need ministry training as a pastor, church planter, minister, evangelist or chaplain, we are here to train you to reach as many people as possible before it is too late.

You will get these Gospel Life Boats Skills in your ministry training at Christian Leaders Institute:

1. How to care for those in your boat. This includes studies in “Pastoral Care” care and “Church and Ministry”
2. The history of lifeboats (church history). This is important because you will learn of the mistakes of the past and how your lifeboat can avoid them.
3. The essential insights needed for survival and preparation for the final rescue when we are with God in heaven. You will learn systematic theology and personal godliness.
4. You will learn how to do well in your mission saving both your own family and those around you. At Christian Leaders Institute we understand that your home must be strong so that you have something to share.

Are you called to be a gospel lifeboat operator? We want to help you get prepared!
The need is so great! As for finding funds to pay for your training, each semester you study we do ask that you make a donation to the Institute in the amount that God places on your heart. We desire that you value your training and that you help keep this training free for more lifeboat operators.

I am starting a message series on the book of Acts at Eagle Rock Community Church where I serve as Senior Pastor.

The home matters in mobilizing the next generation of Christian Leaders who seek ministry training. Our recent featured poll asked the question,

Most of those who voted in our online poll said that the biggest concern was that you would not have enough time for your studies. Over 70% of those who voted indicated that time is the biggest enemy that confronts your ministry training.

An historic shift is happening in the culture and world of ministry training. A large number of seminaries are facing the prospect of closing or down sizing. What will the future look like at the ministry training level?

Ten Ministry Training Survey Questions

1. Do you have a vital walk with God? Do you have healthy and simple habits of reading the Bible and Praying at least 15 minutes a day? (1John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.)

Ministry Training Obstacles and What to Do about them?

You might be called to pursue ministry training, but have gotten bogged down and now you feel that your ministry training is coming to a halt. What do you do to re-invigorate your ministry training program?