My name is Shawn Smiley, and I am studying the Associate Chaplain Ministry Ordination program at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). Married to Alma Smiley for 25 years., we have the blessing of our daughter named Nicole. We live in a western suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
My Early Years
Born in the western suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the town of Monaca, I was an only child. I had great parents who raised me in the Presbyterian church. My parents were not super religious, but church attendance was required. Therefore, I knew the Lord from a young age.
Academics and athletics were a huge part of my life. My dad always encouraged and inspired me to do my best to receive a scholarship to college. He did not want me to go into the mills like him. Through God’s will and hard work, I received a football scholarship to Geneva College. I graduated from Geneva College, a Reformed Presbyterian college located in Beaver Falls, PA, in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. I enjoyed my time there. However, the stringent rules and my rebellious nature did clash at times.
My time growing up was fantastic. It was rich in friendships and family. As I grew older, church and religion became secondary to my secular life. I had a rebellious and wild side. This side dictated how I lived my life for the next three decades. Through it all, the Lord was always with me, even when I didn’t remember Him. I was on my throne.
My Crazy Life of Sin
As the world became my reality, my life became quite complicated. In a quick summary of my crazy life, I became a professional business, eventually operating a small trucking business. I was a loving husband to a beautiful wife, father to a beautiful daughter, good neighbor, friend, and son. Where’s the crazy? For 18 years, I was a member and local leader in a national outlaw motorcycle gang and convicted criminal. I was in everything that this life entailed. The life of sin is like quicksand that entices you as it envelopes you. Through it all, the Lord was always with me, even when I didn’t remember Him.
Changes and Challenges
After the death of my father and mother in 2007 and 2010, respectively, I dove further into my crazy life for six more years. In 2016, God pulled me out of the gang life. Still not seeing His Hand in saving me, I knew that I needed to change. So, I changed my life around, but I was still on my throne. I focused more on my business and family. The Lord started to come back into our lives in small ways and blessings.
In the fall of 2019, I was working out of town and missing my wife. So, I watched some sermons on TV in the hotel room. I began to pray a little more. I promised God that we would start going to church. In November of 2019, I believe God had enough of my stalling. I began experiencing some chest, shoulder, and neck discomfort. In December, I went to the doctor, and he forced me to the emergency room. The left artery from my heart was 100% blocked. I needed two stents to open it up. Here is the miracle: the Lord created a small tributary around the blockage to save me. It kept me alive, praise God. Through it all, the Lord was always with me, even when I didn’t remember Him.
More Challenges and Total Surrender to God
God wasn’t done with me yet. In 2020, we had our best year in trucking, even with the Covid crisis. We could not find a church because of the shutdown. So, we worshiped at home on the TV every day, and I read the Bible and praying constantly. I was still trying to solve my problems, especially in the trucking business. I STILL DIDN’T GET IT!
At the end of 2020, we had a significant breakdown, lacked part availability, and no paychecks for three months caused a major financial crisis. Down to our last $100 and about to lose everything, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I vowed to follow Him for the rest of my days. My business and my entire life have turned completely around. He saved me, even though I didn’t deserve it. I am His!
Finding CLI: Associate Chaplain Ministry Ordination
Looking back, the biggest obstacle in my Christian maturity was me. That is a kick to the face. My walk with the Lord was sporadic at best in my adult life. I was the prodigal son. Then, finally, with God’s Grace and Forgiveness, I gave my life to the Lord. The Lord welcomed me home!
God then gave me the strength and desire to learn as much about His Word as I could. The Christian Leaders Institute gives me an excellent opportunity. Not only can I go back to school, but I can study the Bible and become a Christian Leader. The world needs Christian Leaders greatly at this time. We never had a lot of money, so the free classes and inexpensive degrees are fantastic. For me, time and flexibility are essential aspects of CLI. I am so blessed God guided me to the CLI website.
My goal is to complete the Associate Chaplain Ministry Ordination and enter the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School to work towards a Degree in Divinity with Chaplaincy emphasis. After that, I will leave the direction of my ministry to God’s Will. But, if I stay close to Him, I won’t go wrong. May God bless you all!
Become a Licensed Wedding Officiant
My name is Melanie, and I’m married to a wonderful man. We live in West Michigan, USA. I’m a mother to two incredible young adults and pug mama to Gracie and Gus. The youngest of four children, I grew up in northern Michigan. My mom was an excellent homemaker, and I’m actually “the mailman’s daughter.” My dad was a mail carrier for over 30 years until he retired. He was also a Navy veteran. Unfortunately, both of my parents have left for Heaven. I want to share what led me to become a licensed wedding officiant through the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here).
My Journey
My parents raised me to know and love Jesus. Every Sunday, we were in church, something I’ve continued to do and instill in my own family. Unfortunately, I was married for nearly 16 years to a man who became my abuser. On the final day of our marriage, he attacked me at gunpoint in our home and took his own life in front of me. That was, of course, terribly traumatic for my children and me, even though they weren’t home at the time. They were at school, and for that, I am thankful. Although this has greatly affected them, they didn’t witness any of it firsthand.
We forged ahead after that. We had no choice. In the months after, we had to move from our beloved home and find the proverbial “new normal.” At ages 9 and 13, they struggled to make sense of any part of what happened. I was 40 and had the same struggle. There were no answers, and we had so many questions. However, our family and church family were the hands and feet of Jesus. They supported us, helped us move, showed up to my children’s games and activities, and loved us through this.
“Only God”
Through those most challenging times, my children and I clung tightly to Jesus. He was our refuge, our father, provider, supporter, and shield. Friends would ask me how I didn’t just collapse. My answer consisted of only two words: “Only God.” Only God can get us through the hard things. Though I had to walk through some very dark days and nights, He was with me. When I begged Him to stop the pain, God comforted me with the knowledge that it wouldn’t last forever. After a while, I knew that He was molding me. He was forming the broken pieces of my heart and life back together in a beautiful new shape that would be stronger than ever before. He was creating something new in me, and there was purpose in that pain.
Jesus brought new people, new opportunities, biblical therapists, friends, hope, and laughter. Gradually, we started to heal. And, eventually, God brought a new man into our lives, a man who loved the Lord, me, and my children as his own. This fall, 2021, we will be married for nine happy years. Although my children are now adults, they asked my husband to adopt them. As of this June, the adoption was finalized, and he is their father.
Beauty From Ashes
Through all of those years of pain and healing and new things, I started writing again. God used that as a tool of catharsis and healing for me. Eventually, I started a blog and attended a writers conference, which opened many new doors. I’ve contributed to many blogs, a print newspaper, was an editor and writer for an online Christian women’s magazine, and am writing my first book.
Beauty from ashes came true for me. God took a challenging story that spanned the years and brought beauty, healing, and writing endeavors. I aim to encourage others through my blog and social media. I share about Jesus, abuse survival, and chronic illness (because I have several). God is good. I am so grateful for His mercy and enveloping love, both for myself and my sweet children. They are both fantastic, responsible adults who love the Lord, and I am so grateful.
Finding CLI to Become a Licensed Wedding Officiant
My daughter is getting married this year, and she and her fiance asked me to officiate their wedding. I immediately set about researching how I could achieve this credential. I knew I could go online and probably pay some money and be ordained with little effort. But I wanted more. I wanted to have some Christian education behind my licensure and guidance on making my daughter’s wedding biblical and as meaningful as possible.
I found Christian Leaders Institute online, and I knew it was a God thing. Their physical office was just a few miles from my home! I was so excited and started my education right away. It wasn’t difficult, but it was highly informative and mapped out a path for biblical marriage and a biblical marriage ceremony. I am so thankful I found CLI and can’t wait to share more about the wedding.
I’m Allan Tendekai Marimanzi, from Harare the capital city of Zimbabwe. I study theology and the Bible at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). Growing up in a Christian family as well as going to Christian schools are things I am forever grateful for.
My Spiritual Journey
Born in 1998, I grew up in the rural area of Mutare. I felt my calling before my teen years. I had a strong desire to share the good news with others. Sometimes, as we were herding cattle, words to compose gospel songs would come into my mind. I composed more than one gospel song, but because there was no mentorship these all perished.
Yet, the desire to serve God did not die. In 2010, in my grade seven class, I wrote some verses on a love-shaped paper and stuck them near the class chats. It drew the attention of many students as well as the teachers. In high school, I was given some slots to present my devotions. It helped me grow into a good preacher. Still, I knew I needed to know more about God. So, I made a decision to study theology as soon as I finished high school. Then, I could become a pastor.
Finding CLI and CLI
When I finished high school, I applied to study theology in 2020 and was accepted. There, I met a lecturer who told me about CLI’s Leadership Excellence School as a way I could further my studies and acquire more knowledge about the scriptures and become a competent preacher. So, I grabbed the opportunity. Thanks to Christian Leaders Institute and CLI’s Leadership Excellence School, I’m furthering my study of theology and the Bible. Better still, I’m being trained to be a leader and minister.
There is nothing that satisfies me more than serving the Lord and working in His vineyard. In high school, I co-founded a Christian club called Pilgrims. There, we could help other students understand the scriptures. We also went to the nearby communities and would evangelize. We went to another high school where we launched our club as well.
Like David, I still crave for more. I will be satisfied one day when I wake up with God.