My name is Stefano. I am from Italy, born in Aversa. Currently, I live and work near Rome. I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute to learn more about God and receive further biblical training (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here).
My Spiritual Journey
The dream of my youth was to become a male nurse. However, because of missing out on proper parental guidance, I became a liar and a thief. I knew I needed help. Thankfully, God began to change me and talked to my conscience. I knew that God wanted me to become different. I could only do it with His help.
God brought transformation to my life as He awakened my conscience. I felt humbled and ashamed as God gave me insight. I started to have standards for my life. Although it took years, I realized the pain I caused to not only a person but sometimes whole families. I did not want to hurt others anymore.
I asked God to make me new. Then, I picked up the Bible and started reading until His peace came into my room. I knew that He could help me and that His Word would be my guide. I have a dream to help youths who grow up without parents, as I did.
Further Biblical Training at CLI
I knew that I needed further biblical training for my ministry dream. So I looked online for Bible classes and ministry training. I found the Christian Leaders Institute. There were still some heart issues that I discovered as I took classes at CLI. One thing I realized is that I hate to be ignored. So, with God’s help, I am dealing with it. Discovering why I feel this way and why it is so important to me and impacts me. Further, I seek to show respect and genuine interest in others. It is not all about me. These discoveries bring me to wholeness.
I am part of a small Evangelical church where I live. It has been a source of support and encouragement to me. Another source of encouragement has been the testimonies of CLI students. I am thankful for the further biblical training at CLI!
Attend Restorative Justice Launch Luncheon on MAY 22ND, 2018
Christian Leaders Institute and Michigan Department of Corrections
Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) is holding our annual ‘Lunch with Leaders’ on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the Spring Lake Country Club in Spring Lake, MI. The event will begin at 11:45 am and end at 1 pm.
Guests who attend this event will be inspired by the successes of our students and invigorated by the community of support that we are blessed by. You will enjoy a wonderful lunch, a behind the scenes look at our work, and inspirational stories.
Attend
Mark the date on your calendar, and join us for an unforgettable time – you won’t want to miss it. It is FREE to attend. Reserve your ticket now using the button below! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rhonda Sullivan at 616.777.0305 or rsullivan@christianleaders.net.
My name is Annette Williams, from the USA, and the training and certification I get at the Christian Leaders Institute prepare me for ministry (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). At a very young age, my spiritual journey started. My parents were not churchgoers or models of Godly living. However, my brothers, sister, and I grew up on Godly values. We had a family Bible which we read. It saw a lot of wear and tear over the years. That enormous white family Bible kept on the lower shelf of our living room coffee table lit a spark in me to find out if this God was genuine.
Godly Influencers in My Youth
My late paternal grandmother was a family leader in home discipleship, and she was the poster girl for reproducibility. Through evangelizing, teaching, and her life, she drew her own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the body of Christ. Over the years, I heard people say it is hard to minister to your family because they know you. Even though it may have been a challenge, my grandmother continued to proclaim Christ and the importance of Salvation. I remember thinking, what courage and endurance she must have to do this continually.
Although my parents did not regularly attend church, we had family members that attended church every week, and we were invited to come along. From time to time, my parents would visit for special services we were participating in, and they never kept my siblings and me from attending church services. I remember always being at church.
A New Desire in Christ
Growing up, I wanted to be a part of the entertainment industry, particularly dance and acting. This was not encouraged in my family or church family, but it was what I wanted to do. Only when the implantation of a new nature came that the Lord put a new desire in my heart. My curiosity peaked with my new life in Christ. I wanted to know more about God, Jesus, the infilling of the Holy Ghost, holy living, and what I was supposed to do with it.
For much of my younger life in the church, I participated in the youth choirs. The enjoyment and satisfaction of singing and bringing joy to people kept me in church. The leaders later transitioned me to work alongside the Pastor’s staff as support when needed. So I held dual roles as I remained with the choir.
The church leaders assigned the youth to various important roles during special services as a method of ministry training and discovering our gifts. I later discovered that I enjoyed leading Bible classes and workshops during our annual women’s and youth day services. Teaching is what gave me the most pleasure. I felt a desire to work more in that area of ministry. I currently serve alongside the pastor’s staff where needed.
Training and Certification for Ministry
Wanting to teach, I have a growing concern for believers who have little understanding of the Bible, what they believe, why they believe it, and how to serve and live for the Lord. If it is God’s will, may He move me into a position to teach by His grace and perfect timing. I pray that God blesses my teaching to be anointed and effective to draw people and enlighten them concerning His Word.
I hope that the Christian Leaders Institute will help me on this journey. CLI’s structured training and certification will help me to become an effective teacher for this generation.
Titus 1:9 “He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it” (NRSV).