God Helps Us Rise Above Our Circumstances
Good day to the ecclesia of God! My name is Danver Engelbrecht, and I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute to get equipped and trained for ministry (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). I married Verona Engelbrecht 11 years ago. We have two children, Azariah, my 8-year-old boy, and Zerah, my 1-year-old girl. I live in South Africa in Cape Town in a suburb called Mitchells Plain.
I have a diploma in Operations Management, but my occupation is a Sales Executive at Bidvest Waltons for 18 years. My goal is to remain a beacon of hope in the secular environment, so my light shines for God’s glory. I am a person with integrity, honesty, reliability, and trustworthiness.
My Spiritual Journey
My passion or hobbies as a youth were mostly sports like soccer, table tennis, snooker, volleyball, and athletics. The majority of my peers growing up were unsaved and are still unsaved today. Our community is known for criminal activity, gangsters, drug and alcohol abuse. However, I never let peers or community influence me to go down a negative path.
Just before I turned 21, I lost my best friend through a dispute at a nightclub. I vowed never to set foot in any nightclub again. But three months after that event, I found myself in a nightclub again. A strange happening occurred. I heard a voice saying, “Didn’t you say never to set foot in a nightclub again?” Everything went blurry, and I became anxious and wanted to leave. I left, and that night I wrestled with the Spirit, surrendered my life to God, and never looked back.
I dedicated or devoted my time to serve in the kingdom from day one. First, I became the youth leader, then the regional leader, and even ran the married couples. Also, I had intensive leadership training to equip myself to be relevant and on the cutting edge.
Equipped and Trained for Ministry Through CLI
I love the Word of God, and I desire to exegete scriptures accurately. So, with the help of the Christian Leaders Institute, I will be better equipped and trained for ministry. I love reading commentaries and listening to podcasts and videos of the great men of faith of our time. I am a servant of the Kingdom of God.
My name is Sherri Tidwell, and the Christian Leaders Institute is giving me the continued education in ministry I need (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). Originally from Saginaw, Texas, I moved a lot throughout my childhood and adult life. I am presently living in Ruston, Louisiana. Currently, I serve as Children’s Minister at First Baptist in West Monroe, Louisiana, at the Calhoun Louisiana Campus. I have previously served in many ways and several churches with children, youth, and adults.
Rejection and Salvation
I was not raised in a Christian home. Upon completing my high school graduation, I married and had two amazing sons. I entered cosmetology school and now see God used that career to tear down walls and open doors. Soon followed my divorce. I was rejected, and the devastation led me to make some horrible choices. However, I soon met a wonderful man whom God used to water seeds that I did not even realize had been planted in my life. Over time, those seeds grew and changed me. I was 27 years old, having “never been enough,” rejected, and replaced by others. Now, I learned that GOD loved me, accepted me, and forgave me. I accepted God as Lord and Savior of my life, and nothing has been the same since!
However, life did not get easy following salvation. In 2012, after 20 years of marriage to my second husband, he committed adultery. It devasted me because I thought we had a strong family unit. We had been serving God as a family. My husband turned from God, rejected my two boys and me. Once again, I was rejected. This only epitomized it.
My Ministry Journey
During these various seasons, I have sat under some amazing preachers and teachers of the Word of God. They mentored, trained, and led me in my journey of becoming all God created me for. I read many books, took in-depth studies with small groups, attended conferences, and completed online classes. I sought every way to grow in my walk with God and what He has for me. While on this journey, I was strengthened, empowered, encouraged, and even tested enough to learn that GOD alone is enough!
Continued Education in Ministry at CLI
Now, as I continue to learn to fully rely on God, with grown kids and precious grandchildren, I find myself right where He wants me for this season. I am fully and completely committed to what God has called me to do. I have never been at such peace. Although it is “the windy path,” as Professor Henry Reyenga says, it the most amazing journey I have ever been on. Over the last year and a half, while serving as a children’s minister, I began seeking a way to really learn and grow in my ministry and achieve my spiritual dream.
Since graduating high school in 1986, I have taken many courses, classes, and certifications. Each one has helped to prepare me for the path that God has led me to.
Therefore, I am so excited about this new journey in continued education with the Christian Leaders Institute. I now have hope as an older, single female with limited income. I can continue to grow in the ministry God has given me. There is no doubt in my mind that CLI is an answered prayer for my continued educational path. I am very blessed to have this ability to grow in ministry. Thank you, CLI!
My name is William Lehlohonolo Seitshiro, and I am at the Christian Leaders Institute to study the Bible more in-depth (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). I am 31 years old and married to Famour Seitshiro. A South African, I grew up in the province of Gauteng in a city called Pretoria, Mamelodi. I love the Lord with all my heart and believe in him so much that I feel nothing else makes sense outside of God.
I studied theology at the Global School of Theology, which is under Global University. Before that, I was studying tourism. But one day in class, the Holy Spirit called me to full-time ministry. God was straightforward with me and told me what he expects me to do. I am to be full-time in ministry and serving Him. Therefore, I should not worry about finances because they will come from him.
Early Life and Conversion
I was always a quiet kid. Often, I was in the house playing on the computer. I had no purpose and no vision. Really, I didn’t see any reason to make plans because I was a normal kid.
One thing that was dramatic in my life and very hard to let go of was my mother’s passing in 1996. After that, I was in a time loop. The fact that I felt rejected by my father made things more difficult.
I was born again in December 2015. That’s when I started feeling accepted and no longer a boy who came from a place of rejection. When I received Christ, it meant that I am accepted and loved. Since then, I have been preaching to people that they are accepted in Christ.
Calling to Ministry
When I received salvation, I felt the call of the Lord in my life. But in 2011, when at school, I vividly saw three angels walk into my classroom while I was learning at school. I felt what the Holy Spirit told me to talk to my senior pastor and go to Bible School because they would stop sending pastors to Bible School.
When I spoke to my pastor that week, he immediately told me that I need to go to a theological seminary. He sent me there, paid all my fees, and gave me pocket money. Then, we found out that I was the last student that they were sending to Bible School. That confirmed the fact that God called me into the ministry.
Ministry Training and Study the Bible More In-Depth at CLI
When I went to Bible School, I discovered that I didn’t know most of the Bible as other students did. I only knew certain parts of the New Testament, which appealed to me. So as I was studying and didn’t know most of the Bible, I focused more on the history and whole truth of the Bible.
I am at the Christian Leaders Institute because I want to further my knowledge and study the Bible more. I want to study so that I am equipped to tackle issues that pastors are afraid of and bring people to the understanding that they are accepted in Jesus.
Ministry Journey
My ministry journey has been challenging, and it has been challenged throughout the years. But, when I started in Sunday school ministry or children’s ministry, the only thing that kept me going was the joy of serving because I had the freedom to serve as I could.
As time went by, I grew into youth ministry, young adult ministry, and church ministry. My passion and zeal grow by the moment. When I started my internship, I was given the impression that I would be given a chance to lead in time. Yet when the time came for the pastor to pass on the church, he decided that he didn’t want to, and if the district tried to give it to me, he would split the church. So, because I love the Lord and fear God, I decided to step back and started a church with my wife.
Personal Life
In my personal life, I continue to see God moving specially. In my marriage, the presence of God is heavy to the point that when I look at my wife, I remember where God took me from and what He’s blessed me with. That testimony reminds me that there is nothing that can separate me from the love of God.
I continue to research, study, and preach the gospel so that people may come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.