My name is Elizabeth Noel Young, aka Noel. I’m 38 years old and live in Amarillo, Texas, USA. I’m also a student at the Christian Leaders Institute. The free ministry and college courses are what I need to be equipped for my calling.
My Story
Born in South Carolina, East Texas became home when I was a teenager through most of my adult life. I graduated high school in 2004. My maternal grandparents raised me. I’ve been through all kinds of trials and tribulations and abusive relationships (verbal, mental, emotional, physical, and sexual). It doesn’t matter if you’re in a relationship or married, or not. No means no!
I always thought molestation involved penetration. However, I discovered later in life, as an adult in prison, that it can be inappropriate touching. Therefore, I was molested when I was a child by a family member. In my early 20s, I was an alcoholic until someone introduced me to methamphetamine. I spent six years in each addiction. I did things I’m not proud of during that time in my life.
New Beginning in Christ
God sat me down in time out for three years on a ten year prison sentence. I got clean and sober during my time out. Further, I got back into Bible studies and reading my Bible. I paroled to Amarillo, and it quickly became home. Through the grace and help of God, I am almost eight years clean and sober!
I am on the worship team, singing backup, at my home church. My church family has been with me through a lot of this journey in recovery and staying on track with the Lord’s plan for my life! They are excited for my journey with Christian Leaders Institute!
I originally came to know the Lord when I was a child. However, I became lost again later in life. I came to know the Lord again while I was on my time out. God has been there with me through every moment even when it didn’t seem like it at times. I now know He wast there! He was there while I was homeless, in and out of the Salvation Army, and in a tent in the woods, for two years.
Free Ministry and College Courses at CLI
The free training at the Christian Leaders Institute, as well as scholarships and financial aid for ministry training and college courses, are crucial for me. Right now, I live in a motel and work full time. I can’t even save up for a vehicle after paying rent and getting groceries. The motel I live at is within walking distance to the hotel I work at. It offers weekly rates on kitchenette rooms, so that’s a plus!
My ministry calling is for two things: the homeless and addiction recovery. I’ve been homeless, technically still am by the definition of the word homeless, and I’ve been through two substance addictions. I hope to get a degree in substance abuse counseling to help with my ministry!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
Hello! My name is Christian John Schlegel, born in June 1976, and living in Germany. I turned 48 this year. I have four adult children. Separated since February of this year, I want to restructure and organize everything in my life. Since the separation and for a while, I realized that my faith and hope in God give me strength. That is why I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute. I want a firm biblical foundation for my faith and to be a witness for the Lord.
Since last May, I worked as a service coordinator at Motorola in the US Government Service. There were many ups and downs in the previous few years, both professionally and personally. Therefore, I realized last October how much I missed God in the past few years and neglected my faith.
My Journey
However, this was not always the case. In my youth, I was very religious for family reasons. I received confirmation, went to church camps, and had friends in the faith. However, then my life got a bit off track. I lost my faith and my love for God for many years.
Thankfully, I found it again, bit by bit. I helped many friends in the past, no matter in which areas. However, it never brought me the fulfillment I wished for. Therefore, after my best friend died in a fire in a house two years ago, I started to rethink things. Unconsciously, at first. I concentrated on my work, having previously worked in the security industry for 30 years. I got to know a lot of people and different situations. After Herby died, I realized how short life on earth is and how much one can achieve in life with the little things.
I have been a volunteer for a long time. I served in the volunteer fire department and the German Red Cross. There one not only learns to help but also to see and listen to interpersonal relationships.
Return to Faith and Study
Anyway, last year I sat with a friend, and we talked about the past, her youth, and also her love and faith. It was the first time in a long time that I realized how much I had missed church and praying. This was the first evening in a long time that I prayed again. Honestly, it felt strange at first. However, the more I repeated it over the following days, the freer and more relaxed I felt. Then, I remembered that I wanted to study theology earlier in life. That was a strange thought. Then I talked to my friends about it, some thought I was crazy. However, others said, do what makes you happy.
That was the moment when I actively sought a change in my life. Then, I found the Christian Leaders Institute. At first, I hesitantly thought about what to do. In the end, I wrote to my other university, asked them to give me my credit points and transferred them to CLI.
CLI Gives a Firm Biblical Foundation for My Faith
Now I try to do what my heart and God tells me. I want to do what I do best. Why not try to help everyone as much as possible? Faith and hope are the best things that I can share with others. It is easy to offer a shoulder to people in need and advise them. Furthermore, to actively spread the faith through the church, missionary work, or simply through talks and group sessions is a blessing.
In the end, the important thing for me is that I have regained my trust in God and a firm biblical foundation for my faith through the courses at CLI! I want to rekindle and deepen what I previously gave up. I want to strengthen my trust in God and help others with what I can. Perhaps, God can use me to bring one or more people closer to faith in Him.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
I am Loretta Sorensen from the United States. Called by God to be a servant leader, I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute.
Leadership Class Impact
I just finished the leadership class. This class was and is such a blessing for me in numerous ways. It clarified my understanding of how to develop a vision and the importance of understanding the culture around me. It also taught me how to identify potential leaders in my team, how to orchestrate graceful change, and how to successfully deal with conflict.
My favorite sections were the spiritual warfare lessons. What a great blessing to learn more about how Satan hinders our ministry work. I continue to develop my ability to recognize his attacks and am now more prepared to appropriately respond to an attack.
The last two lessons, Developing a Prayer Ministry and Defining My Why were invaluable to me. I wasn’t certain how to take my prayer life to the next level, and now I know! Further, I ordered the book, “The Hour That Changes the World,” and plan to integrate that information in the weeks and months ahead to strengthen my life.
My Why
My “why” is centered around my call to write Christian books for women. I have worked as a freelance writer since 2006. God opened doors for me to write for nationally read magazines and learn from highly qualified editors. I co-authored my first Christian book two years ago and am currently working on the second one. As I complete my studies, I expect God will clarify the next step. Further, I know how to share the Gospel, point others to the Lord, and encourage them in their faith journey. I expect my book topics to show other women how to come to salvation and also how to take steps to deepen their faith and be able to disciple others.
Called as a Servant Leader
Currently, my husband and I lead Bible study in our local federal prison. We have been doing this for 35 years. I’m also co-chair of a local women’s ministry that gives women from the region opportunity to share their personal testimony of coming to faith at a monthly event. I am also one of the speakers for this organization.
Once I complete my degree, I pray that God will open the door for me to write Christian fiction set in Biblical times. Since I’m also a book publisher, I’m able to design and publish my own books (and the books of others) and offer them to national audiences.
Called as a servant leader, every class I’ve taken at the Christian Leaders Institute strengthens me for my call. Furthermore, this leadership class gives me valuable tools that will serve me now until God calls me home!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.