Ministry Calling Story
My name is Sylvia Salvato, and I am thankful for free Christian-based education at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I have lived in Austin, Texas, in the USA for 31 years. I feel blessed to live in a country where people are free to express themselves openly and honestly. We can pursue spiritual dreams in ways that do not have to conform to the status quo. In fact, it is the foundation of this country. Our founding fathers left places that persecuted them for their religious beliefs. I realize that this is a gift not available globally, and I am grateful.
My Youth
I grew up in a dysfunctional home environment, where abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and disrespect were acceptable ways of interaction. The concept of God and Jesus were not topics of discussion. My father, a chronic alcoholic with mental struggles due to undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, voiced that religion had been forced down his throat. My mother was really depressed and adopted a victim orientation. The only thing I remember her saying about church was that she sang in the choir as a girl. I didn’t know other people who introduced me to these ideas either. We were isolated, too embarrassed to have others over. I functioned in survival mode, with an underlying anger and a belief that God did not exist.
Salvation Journey
Because of my upbringing, I cultivated coping skills. These engendered a sensitivity to my environment and heightened awareness of events that occurred around me. I also learned to read people well and not to believe everything that I heard. I learned to make my own way and listen to my inner voice to guide me. It was how I came to know God. I know that divine intervention has occurred many times in my life. I paid attention to those experiences where harm could have or should have come my way but didn’t. There were too many coincidences, twists of fate, and blessings that could only be explained as God’s divine intervention through Jesus and guardian angels.
An avid reader, I read books by authors such as Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins. I learned about Jesus in these books. Further, I also learned how to be saved for eternal life in the kingdom of God. I needed to acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross to absolve our sins and pray for Him to come into my heart and accept Him as my Savior. Therefore, I did this and incorporated prayer into my life daily.
My Schooling and Work
I excelled in school, so I attained three degrees at the University. God pointed me in certain directions to learn why I had to undergo certain experiences to help others effectively. I earned two undergraduate degrees. First, a bachelor’s in psychology to learn about how the brain works, clinical pathologies, and the behaviors that arise because of problematic thinking. These topics are what I first sought to understand.
I also earned a bachelor’s in social work, and it led me to my first job as a Child Protective Services Investigator. This very difficult, and many times, dangerous job taught me a lot. Some parents were self-focused and caught up in their own distress. Children were caught in the maelstrom through no fault of their own. I did my part to help as many as I could.
Then, I went back to school to obtain a master’s degree in social work. I did an internship at the Veteran’s Administration. There I learned to facilitate drug and alcohol treatment groups for veterans. This experience helped me better understand our military members’ plight and, in turn, gave me compassion for my own father. His struggle really had nothing to do with me, although it felt so personal. In my career path, I held Director level roles in psychiatric care and long-term care. All these opportunities have helped me understand, heal and offer ways to change my perspective and help those in need.
My Spiritual Dream
My spiritual dream is to know who I am in Christ to help me fulfill my life purpose. I do not yet fully know the breadth of this, but I know that I can serve God by serving others in whatever endeavor I choose to focus my time on. I want to expand my knowledge and experience and find joy in it. Working with others can be a daunting experience, but the reward is that I grow and learn more about myself and my purpose with every encounter.
I am winding down my career life, with less than ten years until retirement. I have been thinking about the next chapter in my life book. Whatever it turns out to be, I want to engage in activities that are spiritual in nature. Now is the best time to lay the foundation. Therefore, I want to seek a Christian-based education.
Christian-Based Education Free at CLI
I thought about becoming ordained to officiate weddings. I realize that I can go online and pay a fee to be ordained. However, to do so without meaning behind it seems to run contrary to the whole reason. Then found the Christian Leaders Institute and saw that classes were free! What a gift this is. I felt like God was, once again, leading me to a path of purpose.
These free classes will allow me to get Christian-based education and open doors to possibilities that I have not yet fully contemplated. I resonate with your idea that money should not get in the way of achieving a spiritual dream. I truly appreciate what you are offering and pledge to give back as I can so that others may also have the benefits offered by your institute.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My name is David Pojeky, Jr. As my ministry journey begins, God led me to the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I was born in January of 1963 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. I am the oldest of 4 children. We grew up on a farm north of Detroit, where we raised crops and livestock. As the oldest, I had many chores as my dad also worked as a Millwright to pay the bills. He didn’t have the time needed to do both jobs. So, at a young age, I learned responsibility.
I came to know Jesus Christ with the help of a neighbor who held a Bible study in her basement once a week. As I grew older, I grew apart from my family. A few years later, I quit school and joined the army. I thought it was my only escape. My father had become a heavy drinker, and my responsibilities grew. Everything was always my fault. I was no angel but lost and misguided, as I know now looking back. I traveled down some dark roads, including drinking, drugs, and a rebellious attitude.
My Military Career and My Marriage and Family
The army allowed me to join the 82nd Airborne Division, where, with hard training, discipline taught me how to be America’s best as “America’s Guard of Honor.” I spent 2 years in that division and then traveled to Europe. After 6 years, I finished my military career.
However, restarting life after the military wasn’t easy. I found myself back on the dark roads of life. That’s where God stopped me in my tracks. He put this beautiful woman named Heidi in my path. I knew as soon as I saw her I was going to spend forever with her. We have been together for almost 30 years now. We have 3 children: 2 boys and a girl, as well as 3 beautiful grandchildren.
My Ministry Journey Begins
I found a church about 7 years ago, and it felt like I found my home. I have grown closer to the Lord. Our pastor has a way of challenging us. One day, he challenged us to pray for a stranger! I thought, “Sure, that’s gonna happened.” Yet, I prayed for strength to do something like that. Well, if you ask, God will answer. Sure enough, He put someone in my path. I could tell she was hurting, but I didn’t know why. So I asked if I could pray for her (hoping she would say no), and she said yes. Talk about being scared!! However, I had faith and trust in the Lord! I don’t remember what I said, but it was everything she needed to hear! Glory be to God!
I grew in the church, and the leaders ordained me as a Deacon. After my first term, the leaders asked me to serve another term. I realized I was being called to Ministry when my friend’s father became ill. He was hospitalized, and I would visit and pray with his family and him. When he passed, I offered to read scripture at his funeral. The day before the service, the family asked if I would say a special prayer. I said I would be honored to.
After the service, the officiating pastor asked me, “How long have you been preaching?” I told him that I am not a preacher, just a sinner who needs God every day like everyone else. He then put it on my heart that I could be missing my calling and pray on that.
My Ministry Journey Begins and Leads to CLI
Praying on that brings me here to the Christian Leaders Institute. I want to minister with music. Also, I want to help people when they are hurting and don’t know where to go or who to turn to. To help couples beginning their journey together to remember to keep God-centered in their lives and their families is also something on my heart. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, and I believe I would not be at CLI today if it weren’t for God’s grace. So, I come here to continue to walk with God and learn to help share His Grace!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My Beginnings with God
It is a blessing to be studying for my degree in ministry at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I am a lover of God, wife, mom, and grandma. Growing up in a Christian home, I have been a believer and follower of Christ my entire life. I was baptized Catholic, confirmed Lutheran, and married Methodist. Growing up, I lived for Wednesday nights. I loved my youth group and believe that this group of people and my leaders truly helped develop who I am today. They poured into me and showed what it was like to live and love like Jesus. Some of my closest friends are from this youth group. We still (although many of us live in different parts of the world) pray for and with each other, do virtual Bible studies, and journey together in our faith walk.
My Life Through Love, Loss, and Hope
I got married to a man who turned out not to be particularly good right out of high school. In hindsight, I can say I never loved him. I fell in love with his two boys and felt bad because they did not have a mom. When I was 20, I married him and divorced him by the time I was 24. I met my now-husband, the man I know God designed just for me, while he was volunteering with a program through his parents’ church.
When I met him, I told him I was not interested because of my past with my ex. However, he did not stop. We have been together now for 15 years and married for 13. In our marriage’s first year, we lost twin girls, Olivia Pearl and Nevaeh Jean, and a son, Hue Martin. We found out that I had cervical cancer, and I had to have a hysterectomy. Then 6 months later, I lost my dad to cancer. Six months after that, my husband lost his dad to cancer. A month later, I lost my mom to cancer. To say our first 18 months of marriage was a trial is an understatement.
We believed God was strengthening and “firming up the foundation” for our marriage through it all. That is not to say we do not have problems. Everyone does. However, we have a marriage that is rooted in God. God is at the center of our marriage and life. Together, we do daily devotionals and Bible studies and with our children as a family.
Blessed With Children
Furthermore, we have been blessed with 7 beautiful, adopted children, ages 8-31, and 3 beautiful granddaughters, ages 1 month to 4 years. Our youngest child is the only one we have had since birth. The rest we received at different ages and stages. Our youngest 4 have the same mom. Adoption itself is such a journey and a blessing. Now we volunteer with our local agency to help the families who are going through the process. We love them through the hard days and rejoice with them at their adoption ceremonies.
My Work With Children
I have worked with children in some capacity for my entire adult life. I will be 40 in July. In my eyes, the most beautiful thing in the world is watching when a child gives their life to Christ. I am the Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries in Minnesota. I started in January of 2020, right before the pandemic hit. So the ministry has been different this past year. Before returning to ministry, I took about 5 years off to fight and currently winning against cancer. I am originally from Wisconsin and a true Midwesterner. For a short time of 3 years, I served in Florida, and after I got sick, we moved home.
I always look for the good in everything. I know that even though it may not always be clear, God’s plan is far greater than mine. If we had not lost our angel babies, God would not have blessed us with the crazy, amazing family He did. Although cancer has been a battle more than once, if I had not gotten sick, I would not have gotten almost 5 years at home with my kiddos while the youngest 4 were still little. I guess I am sharing these stories with you to tell you that there is always a light on the other side, no matter what you are going through. We may not always understand. However, if we remain faithful, God will bless us abundantly.
What’s Next? A Degree in Ministry
I do not know what God’s plan is for my life. And, after the way He has changed my life multiple times, I am not trying to figure it out but simply waiting and listening for His guidance. I am excited to be furthering my education here at the Christian Leaders Institute. I look forward to getting to know many of you in the CLI family. Ultimately, I hope to earn my degree in ministry. Although I do not desire or feel called to be a lead pastor at a church, it has always been my goal to earn my Master of Divinity one day.
I feel called to minister to children and teens, and I love what I do. I love the church that God brought me to last year. Even during a pandemic, I got to bring a few new teens to Christ, and that has been beautiful. I cannot wait to see what He has planned for the ministry I serve after the pandemic. I know it’s going to be great.
With my past student debt and due to medical issues, I could not complete my degree. Therefore, this option for free ministry training through CLI is a huge bonus for me. First, I will get my associate degree and then my bachelor’s degree in ministry. I plan to transfer to Ohio Christian University for my Masters. I will be praying for my classmates, teachers, and staff here at CLI.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.