My name is Dominique Mutombo. I am a Democratic Republic of Congo citizen and currently live in Kinshasa, the capital city. I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute to prepare for my ministry calling (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here).
Life in My Country
DR Congo is a country in the center of Africa. The climate is hot, and we have two seasons, the rainy one and the dry one. Life is difficult as the economy is not doing well. Entrepreneurship opportunities are there, though they require a lot for a start-up. Unemployment is always on the rise, especially among the youth. Therefore, petty crime is very high: house robberies, shoplifting, street gangs for organized robberies, youth alcohol and substance abuse. Many young people are used to police custody, and relationships between the youth and the communities are often full of distrust.
On the other hand, Christian ministry is flourishing in communities. Although there are some flaws linked to local popular culture, Christian ministers play a big role in social cohesion among communities in most instances. In an economic environment such as this one, young people cannot fulfill their dreams due to unemployment. People end up living lives they did not intend to. Many young men lack direction in their lives.
Struggle with Sin
When still in my twenties, I went out of the way and got into beer drinking and casual sex. I was sober from Monday to Friday afternoon because I had to be at work during that time. Then, from Friday night up to Sunday night, I went out with friends to have a drink and enjoy life as many people were (and unfortunately are still) doing.
God Enters In
Thankfully, when I turned twenty-nine, the Lord Jesus entered my life. I had a girlfriend for some months, and our casual sex activities pushed us to decide to marry. Soon after we made this decision, I became so broke that I asked God to intervene. He intervened. However, not as I was hoping. He entered the scene first to stop the marriage plan from going anywhere. He made me realize that marrying that girlfriend would have been the biggest mistake of my life.
Secondly, God intervened through an encounter with Jesus. I got saved. I had prayed to get out of my financial trouble, but the Lord came in to take me out of bigger trouble: the slavery of sin. Finally, God intervened and made known my ministry calling. I never thought that I meant something to God. But, He made it clear that He valued me and invited me to play a role in His kingdom. What an honor!
Since then, I have never been the same! My drinking habit stopped immediately. The desire to have casual sex vanished. All this is clearly the work of the Holy Spirit. My relationship with God was restored, and my journey into the Christian life began. It continues with me getting trained at Christian Leaders Institute to prepare for my ministry calling. I want to be well equipped before engaging in ministry. The best training I received is from God Himself as, every day of my life, He teaches me unforgettable lessons through difficult tides in my life.
My Restored Life
Previously, my life was controlled by Satan. It seemed and felt nice, but it was a corrupt one. If I had known Jesus earlier in my life, I could have avoided some mistakes in my youth. But all that happened as part of my life. So the only thing I can do is always be grateful that God showed up in my life to change its direction at the right time.
My new life is inspired, sustained, and controlled by Jesus, who helps me to be able and determined to resist the devil. More than fifteen years after my new birth, I have never gone back to any of my previous sinful ways. I always say thanks to the Holy Spirit who sustains me.
Going to church, personal study of the Word of God, and the courses at CLI have equipped and built me up tremendously. Life has not always been easy for me, though. I still have my share of difficulties. But I still hold my faith in Jesus. He is my sure foundation.
Study at CLI to Prepare for My Ministry Calling
In conclusion, I am determined to help people in my community. Not by sorting out their problems – because I cannot do that – but by bringing many of them to Jesus Christ, the problem solver. Jesus is the answer to people’s problems in communities such as those in a developing country like mine. Many people who commit crimes because of life difficulties need to hear this Good News, in prison or out of prison.
The classes at CLI taught me a lot that I apply in my endeavors to help others taste God’s love for humankind. But, of course, it will not be easy for people to accept the reality of God’s love when they face life challenges. Still, I am determined to always do my best, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to bring the truth to those who need it, for them to get free and taste God’s love and have their lives restored.
Hi! My name is Judy DeGroot from Dorr, Michigan, USA. One morning I was doing a devotional, but I felt that God had something more for me to do. I desperately wanted more than just fluff and things that make you feel good. I wanted to get deeper into God’s Word to learn more about the Bible. So I signed up for Bible training online at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here).
My Life
I was born in 1949, the oldest of three children, to wonderful Christian parents. My parents modeled a living faith. I was very young when I accepted the Lord as my Savior. I went to Jenison Christian School and later to Unity Christian High, where I met my husband. We had four children of our own and decided to foster, which later led to adopting five. I always wanted a large family.
Trials and Growth
There have been many trials along the way. Our biological daughter was disabled. Through her, God taught us how to be more trusting of Jesus and His will, not ours. We fostered for twenty years and added five of them to our family. Our eldest adopted child died at twenty-seven of a heart attack. Our biological daughter died 3 years ago at forty. It is hard to bury your children, but the grace of God is sufficient through all things. Our other adopted children were cocaine positive at birth which has brought on some special difficulties. It has taught me to have more empathy for people, even if I don’t know their circumstances. My husband passed away unexpectedly last year. He is praising God with my children.
A New Beginning
Whatever has or will happen, I know God has great plans for me. I want to bring His message of salvation to all I meet. That is why I am at the Christian Leaders Institute receiving Bible training online. I am excited to learn more and be used by God to share the good news of Jesus Christ! Thank you, CLI, for this opportunity!
God’s Grace Is Greater Than Our Pride
My name is James Szolis, and I am getting Biblical academic training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). I am from the United States. Currently, I serve as an ordained deacon at the Korean Central Church of Baton Rouge. I am happily married to Myong Szolis, who has been my bride for 36 years. We have two children and one grandchild.
As an active person, I like to jog and work on projects around the house. I wrote a children’s book with Crossbooks Publishing titled Farmer John’s Special Flower. It is a story inspired by the Parable of the Sower. I love sports and have used sports to create Christian fellowship in the past. I have a daughter who is a local artist, and she also is an active member of her local church. Her husband is the worship leader. They have a 1 1/2-year-old son who is our only grandchild at the time. My son is in Austin, TX, and works with EA gaming company. His girlfriend is a graphic designer. My wife runs a beauty supply business and is very active in our church, also an ordained deacon.
Early Life
Born October 26, 1964, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I am the youngest of 7 children. Our family was Catholic at the time. During those years, I learned the basics of God and religion but not much beyond exterior matters. In my 6th grade year, my dad retired from the post office. We moved from the city of Pittsburgh to a small country town called Philippi, West Virginia. I only had a few interactions with the Methodist church during those years as a youth. My family was poor, and I was embarrassed by that fact and became socially uncomfortable. I never wanted to invite others to my home because I was ashamed of the condition of our mobile home.
It was during my time in West Virginia that a neighbor became a threat to our family. This fact drew much concern from my father. This man shot bullets at my feet and told me to dance. A rock hit my eye from the shooting. After that day, my dad distanced us from him. The man continued to harass us, shooting his gun as he drove by our house, usually in a drunken state. When home alone during those years, I was very afraid.
Challenges and Changes
One day, this neighbor was acting strange. So, my dad picked us up from the bus stop. As we drove towards his house, the man pointed his rifle at us. My dad was not afraid of anyone, so he got out of the truck and told the man to shoot him if he was going to. The man cocked his rifle, and I heard two shots. I was hiding in the cab of the vehicle. I thought my dad was shot. However, my dad had brought his pistol, and he shot the man who was trying to kill us. My dad was freed in self-defense. I really became less sociable after that.
Upon graduation, I enlisted in the U.S. Army and ended up in South Korea. There, I met my beautiful bride. I was always a good student and received several awards for my military service. But I had another side of me that was sinful to the core. God would change that.
Conversion Journey
After we married, my wife became a Christian and was active in the local Korean Church. Through her prayers and tears, my salvation would come but not until much later. After serving the military for 10 years, we settled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
I was a runner, and my goal was to finish a marathon. Although not a Christian at this time, I had started attending church with my wife. I entered a 26.2-mile marathon in New Orleans when I was around 33. As I got to 24 miles, out of nowhere, a stranger yelled to me, “You aren’t running this race; God is!” Those words mean more to me now than at the time. God began to speak to me more immediately after that, but I still would not surrender. I drank a lot of alcohol and would do things that were shameful when that happened.
During this time, we also started a business, and it led us to file for bankruptcy. On 9/9/1999, I got on my knees in my living room and repented with tears. I received God’s amazing grace, and Jesus came into my heart and saved me. Since that day, my life has changed. I preached for 13 years with the youth group and sometimes adults. I learned and shared and loved the opportunity.
Calling to Ministry
I have a love for God’s Word. My favorite teacher is John MacArthur, and I definitely enjoy Dr. Feddes at Christian Leaders Institute. Currently, I am an Ordained Deacon at our local church. I was preaching on Hebrews once to our English-speaking members and came upon some teaching that had various theological interpretations. It was then that I realized I needed Biblical academic training that I could only get from attending a seminary or Bible College. I actually tried to enroll at Liberty University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. However, not only were they out of my budget, but the administrative process was long and complicated, even for online classes.
I had seen Christian Leaders Institute with its Biblical academic training a few years ago but was working full-time. So, it was too hard for me to enroll then. I retired a few months ago, so now I have all the time in the world other than watching my grandson. I pray that God can accomplish His will through me and that I do not become a hindrance for Him.
Goals
As a member of the Korean church and a part of their culture for almost 40 years, I know God’s calling for me is in the Korean community. Korean churches usually have members who speak English or Korean. So most Korean churches have two services to accommodate both languages. We invite English-speaking pastors to deliver a message, but they have no relationship with the members. My heart is for those members in Korean churches who need English ministry. By acquiring the needed Biblical academic training at CLI, I can use my opportunity to help the Korean Church in English ministry, Lord willing. If I can earn a degree, it may also afford me opportunities to do the same serving churches in South Korea.