My name is Jeremy Crowe. I am taking tuition free Bible classes at the Christian Leaders Institute to learn the Bible (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). I grew up in a middle-class suburb of Minneapolis, the oldest of two boys. So, I did not really fit in anywhere. Our family was poor compared to most in our community. Being the kid with the K-Mart clothes and the bowl haircut that my mom specialized in, I did not fit in at school. My parents and brother were big into sports, while I explored and figured out how things worked. So, I did not really fit in at home either.
Struggles
So, I spent most of my adolescent life looking for somewhere to belong and for someone to accept me. Around 10, I started hanging around who I thought were the cool kids. I soon started smoking and sneaking out at night. Then one night, I tried smoking marijuana. That was the first time in my life I had ever felt comfortable in my own skin. This progressed along the typical path: weed, to alcohol, to hallucinogens, to cocaine. Until one day, my friend used a needle to inject cocaine. That was when things changed from what seemed like innocent fun to a dark, ugly addiction.
It did not take long using a needle before I was introduced to heroin. That was the second time in my life that I thought I found what I was looking for. As long as I was high, nothing could hurt me. I devoted my next 22 years to the god (little g) named heroin. I followed my god anywhere he asked me to go and did anything to never be without him. So, I was a liar, a cheat, and a thief. My morals were so messed up that I did not feel bad about it. In fact, I took pride in it and was very good at it. I learned how to crack safes and used this skill to fuel my addiction.
Despair
Soon, I was in and out of treatments and jails for years. One of those “treatments” was to Teen Challenge. There, I met the one true God and began a relationship with Jesus Christ. However, the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entered in and choked out the Word. I was not willing to get rid of my old friends. So, it did not take long for me to be hopelessly lost in heroin again. But, this time, I added meth into the equation. For two years, I tried to get high enough to numb myself to the conviction I felt for trading Jesus for lies and death. The scary thing is I think I almost numbed myself enough to feel it no longer anymore. My heart was almost completely hardened.
God Stepped In
God gave me one last chance to turn to Him, and he used a second trip to prison. I was sentenced to 56 months for a burglary I committed. I was finally ready to give it all to God and trust Him with my life. It was clear that my best efforts could only bring pain, misery, and death. I got plugged into a Bible-teaching church and surrounded myself with good God-fearing men. They were not afraid to ask hard questions and hold me accountable.
Also, I met my wife at the church. We recently moved into a tiny house and are preparing to travel and spread Jesus. I will be giving the company I work for my notice that I am going to be leaving in the fall. This is a huge step for me. I really love this job, and it pays well. However, I tend to put my job first, and I would never have put a job before the god of heroin. So, we will trust God, the Creator of the Heavens and Earth, to provide for us as we move on to this next chapter of our lives in which we go where our God says go and do whatever He says do.
Studying tuition free Bible courses at the Christian Leaders Institute to prepare for this journey is a blessing for me. The tuition free Bible classes at CLI put me on a firm foundation, equipped to share Jesus Christ. Thank you, CLI!
Hi, I am Nicole Jonas. I am from Cape Town, South Africa. I am excited to be taking tuition-free courses in ministry education at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here).
Growing up, I lived in a family and house where we believe in Jesus Christ. My life was always full of surprises. At times, I felt like giving up. Everything I touched was a failure, it seemed. But then, God used my mom to get through to me. She had anxiety attacks, and she always needed me to be around for support. Sometimes, I felt like I had no life of my own.
Then, a day came when we were bound and determined to get help. And, our first choice was from the church. I fell in love with Jesus when He showed me the way as He healed my mom. I surrendered my life over to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My Ministry Journey
My spiritual and ministry journey is not over yet. I have been walking this journey since a young age. There were times when I had spiritual attacks and dreams about demons and angels. At first, they frightened me. However, now I have the full armor of God through Jesus Christ. I am no longer filled with fear. I know that God has a calling upon my life. So, I want to equip myself for service in His Kingdom and walk in the purpose that God has set out for me.
I am thankful for the Christian Leaders Institute. Without the online tuition-free courses in ministry education, I would not be able to get the training for ministry that I need. I thank God for you, CLI!
An Ugly Duckling Story
I am Wilbert G. Balboa from Caloocan City, Philippines, and I study for ministry training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here).
I grew up in a slum community. My father used to be a junk collector. There were times that we only ate once or twice a day because we had no money to buy food. Therefore, during my childhood, I was very thin and ugly in appearance. I use to be bullied at school because of my physique and facial features – very big eyes and big teeth. The girls I liked turned me down because of this. I often thought then that because I am poor and ugly I don’t have a bright future. So, I resented God because of this. I did not have even a dream of any profession. Way back then, I was sure that my parents did not have the money to provide me with a college education.
My Religious Upbringing
However, although we are poor, I grew up in a very religious family. We are devout Catholics. My grandfather on my father’s side used to have an altar full of images that we rendered sacred. On that altar, I discovered the Bible. I tried to read it, but my grandmother prohibited me. She believed that it should not be touched or read by a simple person. She also said that it would be detrimental on my part if I read it. Nevertheless, my curiosity prevailed. I began reading it, but I started to get confused because what was written in it seemed to be contradictory to what our religion practiced.
My Interest in Attaining Salvation
During my teen years, I became interested in exploring different religions and searching for the way of the so-called salvation. I started to doubt that my religion offered the true teaching of God. That’s why I attended different Christian sects and denominations. I thought that perhaps I would attain salvation from God. However, the more I searched the more confused I became.
Then in September 1997, my best friend Daniel Sundiam invited me to attend a youth outdoor activity sponsored by the local church. He said it was instrumental for him in acquiring assurance of salvation. Therefore, I attended the outdoor activity for two reasons. One reason was that my childhood crush attended also. The other reason was that I was curious about my best friend’s “assurance of salvation.” It was there that the gospel was preached and revealed to me by God. I learned that it is by the Grace of God that one can be saved. It is never about the good works or effort that one is putting in. We are all sinners, dead because of our trespasses, incapable of salvation. It is God who made the way through His Son Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the Good News of salvation to those who believe.
Made New In Christ
October 4, 1997, I formally accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Since then, I became very positive that there is a bright future ahead of me. It changed my perspective on myself and my condition. I no longer think that it is impossible to have a college degree even though we are poor. My faith is in God, and I am someone beneficial for the advancement of the Gospel. Indeed, in April 2003, I finished my Bachelor of Science in Education with my major in History, Cum Laude. I became a teacher which enabled me to share the gospel with the youth.
God also changed my view of myself. Before, I saw myself as poor and ugly. But, when the Lord entered my life, I saw myself fearfully and wonderfully made by Him with abundant life. I gained self-confidence and self-worth. In my college days, I became a heartthrob. Not because of my looks, but rather I brag about the grace of God that changed everything in my life. Nothing is impossible for the Lord.
Serving God and Study for Ministry Training at CLI
Currently, I serve the Lord as a Deacon in our local church, Ekklesia Tou Archipomenou. I married my childhood crush, Jeva, who was the main reason I attended the outdoor church activity. Perhaps, God used her then so that I’d be receptive to His calling. I am a father of three boys, Johanne, Jesse, and Jahzwil. I am living a wonderful life because I have met the wonderful God. He has a wonderful plan for an ugly person like me to become someone beautiful in His sight. SOLI DEO GLORIA!
I am so thankful to have found the Christian Leaders Institute online. At CLI, I study God’s Word and receive ministry training to prepare me for my ministry call. God led me here!