My name is Stephanie Amadeo, and I am studying the Bible at the Christian Leaders Institute, a Bible college online (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). I am 32 years old and live in Ogden, Utah. There are no restrictions on Christians in Utah. However, it is largely an LDS community, so few people I can share my faith with.
My Early Years
I grew up in a Seventh-Day Adventist church. My parents were not religious, but my grandmother took me each week. I went to the church’s private school for 2 years and was involved in all their activities. However, I was a non-believer. I was very skeptical of their teachings and had serious doubts about my beliefs. When I was about 12 years old, I asked the youth pastor about my doubt and what it meant. He responded that I just had to have faith. However, I did not know how to “just have faith,” so I decided none of it was real and quit going to church.
When I was 22 years old, my mother committed suicide. She was an alcoholic and drug user. I had been a heavy drinker for a few years, and my mother’s death was a real wake-up call. I saw myself going down the same path and thought, “If I keep up this lifestyle, that’s going to be me one day.” I wanted something better for myself. So, I quit drinking and enrolled in college. I told myself, “If there’s something better out there, I’m going to find it.”
Finding God and My Calling
Two years later, I dated a religious guy. I asked him one question about his religion. As he gave me an explanation, God’s presence fell on me for the first time in my life. I was hooked! Then, I started going to church with him, studying the Bible, praying every day, attending Bible studies, and anything else I could do to learn more about God. I could not get enough of Him.
My desire is to be close to God and help people interested in God develop their own relationship with Him. I have a few family members and friends interested in God but not going to church every week. When they have issues or questions, they ask me to pray about it and get their answer for them. I do not mind doing it. It is a lot of fun, but I want them to learn the voice of God and grow closer to Him.
I believe that God wants me to start a church. A different kind of church with a more hands-on and interactive learning environment based on a relationship with God and listening for His voice. If everyone can hear God for themselves, they will have everything they need to live a productive life and spread the gospel more efficiently.
Challenges and Growth
Religion caused a lot of obstacles for me in my walk with God. Listening to the preaching and trying to make sense of the Bible caused frustration to well up inside. It was not until I firmly established a connection with God that it made any sense.
I went to a Pentecostal church that put great emphasis on the ability to speak in tongues. But, no matter how hard I prayed, I could not do it. It made me feel like God did not love me, or I was not good enough to receive the gift of tongues like everyone else. They said that I did not have the Holy Ghost if I could not pray in tongues. So, I was terrified that if I died before I got it, I would spend eternity separated from the One I loved. While praying about this fear one day, God told me that love would keep us together. That is when I realized that religion without a strong relationship could be dangerous.
Before I knew God, I had anxiety so badly that my hands shook constantly. People frequently asked me if I had Parkinson’s disease. It was embarrassing and uncomfortable to live in a constant state of fear for no reason. After I learned how to pray and connect with God, the shaking, anxiety, and depression stopped. I felt free, strong, and happy for the first time in my life. God has saved my life in so many ways.
Prayer
God became real to me when I prayed without feeling like I was talking to the wall. I felt His presence fall on me and heard Him speaking to my soul. When I prayed about issues I was having, I could see everything falling into place around me.
Then, I met someone that explained a deep connection and real relationship with God. I was intrigued. I had never heard of anything like it before. So, I started praying and searching for the things that were possible. I found it all and so much more. For me, it was and always will be prayer that connects me to God like nothing else. It is how I learned His heart and His desires for my life. It is also how I learned what He sees in me and what He wants for me.
Study at CLI: A Bible College Online
I hope to use my Christian Leaders Institute training to start a different kind of church. One that focuses more on a relationship and less on religion. I have some experience in ministry. I have taught classes and Bible studies, but nothing close to running a church. It is terrifying, and I do not feel qualified to do it. Christian Leaders Institute, a Bible college online, will provide me with the tools and knowledge I need to lead people to God.
Before I knew God, I got my degree in Criminal Justice. I wanted to help people and make a difference in my community. Unfortunately, it did not work out the way that I had hoped, and now I am drowning in student loan debt. Now that I know my passion and purpose, I have wanted to go to Bible college for some time. However, I cannot take on more debt to do it.
When I found Christian Leaders Institute, a Bible college online, I hesitated to start. Honestly, it sounded too good to be true. But, God kept bringing it up and pushing me to start classes. Finally, I had an email from CLI pop up on my phone right after asking God what my next step was. CLI, you are the answer to my prayers, and I am so grateful for this opportunity! Thank you, CLI!
Blessings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! My name is Mitchell Ferguson, and I am studying theological training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). Born in August of 1959, my family lived on the beautiful, sunny island of the Bahamas. I shared my entire childhood experience with my identical twin brother, who died in an accident in October 1998.
The Bahamas is an archipelago situated on the northwest edge of the west indies, a former British Colony that became Independent in 1973. I live in the capital city of Nassau. The Bahamas are located sixty miles south of Florida and have about 381,200 people on 5,382 square miles. We have a predominantly market economy that is heavily dependant on tourism and international financial services.
My Youth
I am the third child of ten children. My father was a local taxi driver, and my mother was a stay-at-home mom. She made straw baskets that were sold to the tourists. I grew up in a home where both of my parents were devoted Christians and attended church regularly. I also attended Sunday School every Sunday and studied the Bible daily. My twin and I would play church in the backyard. One day, something got a hold of me, and I could not stop jumping up and down crying. Finally, my mother came out and prayed with me. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
My Drifting and Accident
I finished school in 1977, and shortly after, I joined the police department. There I met my wife, and we married in June of 1988. We were blessed with three lovely daughters. But, unfortunately, during my years as a police officer, I began to drift away from God and got tangled up in the world’s behavior. I would go to church now and again or not at all. I would pray now and again or not at all.
Something happened to me on the morning of February 2004 while I visited the police headquarters. I fell down a flight of stairs. At the time, everything appeared normal. There were no cuts or bruises on my body. However, the following day, I experienced serve pains in my back, and I could not stand strong on my legs. They rushed me into the emergency room. Upon completing my examination, the doctor discovered that I had a herniated disc and had broken my dog tail(cactus). I went through eight hours of surgery and two years of physical therapy. It took me four long hard years on the road to recovery. I felt lonely as my life was never the same. To me, I was floating in this life. Later, I retired from police service, and then, I was sitting at home all alone. I needed to do something different.
Back to Jesus Christ and Theological Training at CLI
So, I visited a Baptist church in my community, where I spoke with the pastor. I told him my life story, we cried, and he prayed with me. I rekindled my life in Jesus Christ. Then, I became a member of the church. During this period, my pastor mentored me and told me, “You are a gift from God, Brother Mitchell. You need some special training in ministry.”
After the death of my pastor mentor, I prayed and asked God for His wisdom to find an excellent theological training school that would give me first-class Bible-based training. That is when I found the Christian Leaders Institute. After reading and studying the website, I immediately enrolled. I am spiritually prepared to go through this training and walk into my destiny. With God’s help and the guidance of the professors at Christian Leaders Institute, I am looking forward to being a part of this Godly family.
Hello! My name is Lissa Patterson. Technically, it’s Melissa, but Lissa is what I am called. Currently, I am studying biblical coaching at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here).
I live in a small town in Missouri (USA). I am the second of three girls raised together and one that we later met and immediately loved.
My Childhood: Abuse and Anger
I was raised in a home with abuse that serves as my earliest memories. My mother attended church with my sisters and me in tow until I was about 13 years old. I remember disliking church. The preacher aggressively lectured about sin and how anyone that sinned would go to hell. He taught that sinners angered God. And because of the abuse, I thought I was a sinner. The church was the place where I was reminded of my powerlessness, unworthiness, and shame. Or so I felt.
During my childhood, I felt that God couldn’t and didn’t love me. I prayed and wept and cried out to Him, but all I heard was silence. I didn’t understand why God could let horrible things happen to children. So, I became angry. So angry that I turned my back to Him. Completely.
Hearing God’s Voice
Fast forward through many abusive relationships and to a day that I heard God’s voice. I was an alcoholic. I again found myself praying and weeping for a few years, calling out to Him for help. Begging God to love me enough to give me the strength to stop drinking and to live a better life.
Then, one night, I allowed myself to quiet enough to hear, “I have given you the tools because I love you, child. You just need to use them.” Soon after that night, I drove by the store where I usually stopped for a bottle. I smiled while I said a prayer of thanks and kept driving towards home. And I’ve never looked back. Today, I’ve never felt stronger or more empowered.
A few years ago, I started attending the church where I now serve on the welcoming team. I also facilitate a “Stepping Into Freedom” program weekly at the same church. But until recently, I didn’t realize that there was more for me to do.
Called by God
For a while now, I’ve overwhelmingly felt that I am supposed to help others get through some of the same things I experienced. Training for life coaching has been placed in front of me with a voice that tells me coaching is my purpose. I help others get through the aftermath of abuse and addictions and lead lives walking closer to God.
I am certified as a Professional Life Coach, Cognitive Behavioral Life Coach, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Coach, Confidence Coach, Public Speaking Coach, Emotional Intelligence Life Coach, Goal Success Life Coach, Happiness Life Coach, Life Purpose Coach, and Master Mindset Life Coach. Even with all of these certifications, I have argued with God about this purpose. I say that I am not qualified. Not competent.
Studying Biblical Coaching at CLI
I wanted to incorporate Spiritual Wellness into my coaching and teach from a biblical aspect. While researching how to do biblical coaching, the Christian Leaders Institute came up. Another tool handed to me by my Heavenly Father and the last piece of the puzzle to fulfill my life purpose.
The question “What is your spiritual dream?” is asked in one of the courses. My answer, “To live a life that pleases God.” Thank you, Christian Leaders Institute, for helping me along my journey!