Free Bible Study Training Online

My name is Sandy Brooks. This story is about my journey to start my free Bible study training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here). I live in Martinsville, VA, but I am from the small town of Rocky Mount, VA. In 2019, I moved to Martinsville, VA, to be closer to the private school that my son attends.

My Beginnings

I am the oldest of two girls. I didn’t have a bad childhood. My mother and father both worked full-time to provide for my sister and me. When I graduated from high school, I joined the Army Reserve. Since the Army Reserve is part-time, and there is not much income, I worked two jobs to get by and raise my newborn son. Then, I decided to join the regular Army to have a full-time job, insurance, and a better life for my son and me. Being in the Army gave me a lot of time to travel and see new things. I was in the Army for 10 1/2 years and had two wonderful boys.

Saved by Grace

In 2010, I met my husband. And we got married 3 years later. We are a blended family with 4 children of his and 2 children of mine. Life is a challenge, but through the grace of God, it works. In 2013, we were invited to attend a church called Inner Faith Fellowship Ministries. There I fell in love with God and my church. My husband, me, and my son were baptized in February 2014 and gave our lives to God. The day that I gave my life to Christ, I knew things were going to change, and did they ever.

Struggles and Renewal

However, I took a wrong turn, not asking God to guide me and just did what I wanted to do. I decided to take a job in Tennessee, and not only did it take a toll on my marriage, but I lost my way and my walk with God. My husband and I separated for 1 1/2 years, and I also lost connection with my church.

Therefore, I knew that things had to change, and I had to be a better me. I wanted my marriage back on track. I loved my church and wanted nothing more than to get things back on track with my spiritual walk. So my husband and I decided to get back together and put God first and foremost in our lives. I went back to my church, and we started doing counseling with our Bishop. The more I was in church, the better I felt. I knew things were changing when I was in church, listening to Bishop preach. Something inside of me stirred, and I wanted more and more of God’s Word.

Finding CLI for Free Bible Study Training

Then, one day, I was on the internet looking for colleges for free bible study training. That’s when I came across the Christian Leaders Institute. I researched CLI’s website and fell in love with the school. So here I am, studying and learning more. At CLI, I realized that I want to do ministry and make a difference in my life and others. At first, all I wanted to do is learn more about the Bible, but God has put it on my heart to study for the ministry. I pray and ask God to continue to give me wisdom and knowledge to learn all that I can. I look forward to my future and what God has in store for me on the rest of my journey.