Hello! My name is Wyonah Rivera, and I am excited about the authentic Christian education that I am receiving free online at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I am 52 and live in Riverside, CA, USA. I am married to the most amazing supportive husband, and we have 4 children.
My Beginnings and Struggles
I grew up in a Native American home with my parents and never went to church. My father raised me believing that the Native way was the only way. My father’s lineage was tortured by identity issues coupled with pride and addiction, which led to a life of abuse and death. This trickled down to me and led me to a life of deep insecurities, depression, addiction, and feeling condemned all the time. I had many starts with education but never finished. I was a failure at life and did not think I had a purpose.
At last, I was old enough to leave home! To my surprise, my father wanted to get me baptized at the age of 18 in the Episcopal Church. I will never know why he wanted it because we never attended church. However, I do thank him because it was the seed. I wish I could say from that moment on that I walked with our precious Savior. Unfortunately, ten more years of incomprehensible demoralization came with living according to the flesh and trying to quiet the pain from childhood trauma. I did attend church from time to time, knowing I needed and wanted it. However, the spiritual warfare that I listened to seemed a bit louder and dragged me back into the pit of despair.
God Gave a Sign
Then the Lord showed me a sign! I thought maybe a change in scenery, an escape to the mountains, might help with all my dilemmas. So, off I went! I forgot wherever you go without God; there you are… ugh. I was a single mom of a son living in a very small-town population of 900 in Springville, California.
It was at the local church when the Lord brought me my sign. The church had a special program that Sunday. We were going to hear about the miracles of God’s Grace in these men’s lives who had just gotten out of prison. I could not believe my eyes. It was him! I saw my biological brother, whom I lost contact with for many years. My brother spent most of his life in prison due to childhood trauma. We both believed seeing each other in this situation was a sign of God’s Love and Mercy.
The Lord has given me signs along the way, but Satan had such a stronghold in my mind. It repeatedly said that nobody loves you and how could they with all the rotten things you have done. The Bible is my tool to rebuke Satan! I let him know that I am a soldier for Christ, and he no longer has a hold on me (2 Timothy 2:3). “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13). The Lord always has His best for us.
Authentic Christian Education at CLI
Finally, I am in a marriage that strives every day to honor our Father in Heaven. We have been married for 23 years. I often ask him why he stayed. He says, “Because my marriage is my ministry.” For that, I am truly grateful to Jesus Christ for sending me a saint.
Thank you, Christian Leaders Institute, for giving me a DEBT FREE, authentic Christian education that I could have never paid for. Thank you for giving me a chance to learn who I am in Christ. Then, I can bring forth the gospel to those that want freedom and everlasting life in Christ!
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
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 Stephen Bigger. My entire life (with a few sidetracks and interruptions) has been dedicated to worshipping God in spirit and truth. This life-long pursuit has taken many twists and turns – but God is faithful! In late 2020, I started studying at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I wanted to increase my pastoral and administrative skills to be a more effective leader and to get my minister ordination online.
With God’s help, I plan to become an ordained minister, not merely for the credentials, but more importantly, for becoming better equipped to serve God in His kingdom. My heart longs to serve the King in His Tabernacle through the arts, music, and creativity. I have a deep love for others who want to worship God more fully- whether they lead or participate in worship. There is no higher calling, and I deeply desire to serve God in this way.
My Early Years
I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was very young. My father was Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Beckley, West Virginia, during that time. Even at 8 years old, I was very serious about my calling to serve God.
We moved to the western suburbs of Chicago when I was in 6th grade. My father worked with Christian Business Men’s Committee (CBMC) as office manager and served as a music minister at College Church in Wheaton, IL. My mother worked at The Evangelical Alliance Mission Board (TEAM) in Wheaton. Our family regularly served in worship at the Pacific Garden Mission and Moody Bible Institute. I remember leading several men to the Lord while serving there. It was an amazing experience! My life centered around the church and para-church organizations. I saw non-profit ministry from behind the scenes and knew my life would somehow be spent in ministry.
Next Steps
I studied at the Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College. Eventually, I graduated from Covenant College with a BA in Music. My entire life was geared toward music and worship. I love to write music that glorifies God! I worked as a staff music producer in Nashville at a company that supplied music tracks and curriculum materials for Lifeway (formerly The Southern Baptist Sunday School Board). Over the seven years of my employment there, I wrote, produced, and recorded over 1500 songs. I’ve performed with and led many different kinds of bands, groups, choirs, and orchestras. Further, I produced many record projects for artists of all genres. My second favorite genre is World Music because of the rich cultural flavor of countries worldwide.
My Ministry Service
Throughout my years, I have served in Baptist, Presbyterian, Anglican, and Non-denominational churches. I have recently been serving in worship at a local ministry called “The Point.” Even though I have been a worship pastor, director, or minister for many years, my heart is to take my training to a deeper, more effective level.
Shepherding people, especially those with an artistic focus, is my life’s calling. I have enrolled at the Christian Leaders Institute to deepen my skills. I want to develop techniques and procedures to spiritually strengthen those who want to serve in music and arts ministries. Bing ordained will help me to serve my church family better, with accreditation and identifiable skill to build trust. More importantly, I will be equipped to encourage those who come to me for direction.
In 2021, it seems the traditional concepts of “doing church” are shifting. Worshipping families have to adjust and evaluate every part of God’s kingdom culture. I am on a team that is pioneering creative ways to keep the family of God connected and growing. We serve and reach those who do not have an intimate relationship with Jesus. At The Point (a Jesus Community), we are utilizing technology to overcome the challenges of ministry in such a time as this.
Spiritual Dreams
One of the dreams I am pursuing is to develop a curriculum for training and equipping artists, musicians, technicians, and other creatives. Then, they can then become effective, skillful leaders. This dream started many years ago. However, it is just starting to come to fruition. I have embarked on a fast and prayer course with The Point Leadership Team for the first 21 days of 2021. We are doing this course to hear from God and grow closer to Him. Then, hopefully, we can download the steps to making this dream a reality. In the meantime, I am continuing my study at CLI because it is inspiring and feeding me.
Support for My Minister Ordination Online
I have an amazing circle of Godly, loving people around me who have committed to encourage, lead, guide, and oversee this minister ordination online process. My wife, Beth, my pastors, Jesse West and Ken Cornell, and a close intercessor friend, Kris Hurst. These are faithful followers of Jesus who model His love and inspire me to keep going deeper with Him.
May God bless YOU and keep YOU, and may His face shine on YOU so your light can shine to others. The fields are indeed ripe with the harvest! Even so, Lord Jesus… Come quickly!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Greetings from the United States of America! My name is Tabatha Tucker, and I am on a journey in Christianity. My journey led me to the Christian Leaders Institute to study the Bible, Christianity, and ministry (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I am happily married to my high school sweetheart. The Lord has blessed us with two healthy, sweet children. We are so thankful that we get to be a part of their lives.
I found a love for teaching when I began working at daycare while attending a community college. I received my bachelor’s degree in elementary education and furthered my education by attending Belhaven University. There, I earned my master’s degree in reading literacy. I am a teacher of 56 second grade students. Teaching reading brings joy to my heart. I am planting a seed for my students to become fluent readers. So when they seek the Lord, they will have the ability to read God’s Word to find salvation.
Growing up, my childhood wasn’t necessarily what a typical Christian home looked like. I vaguely remember going to church during my younger years. However, when I did, it was with my grandmother. My sister and I weren’t allowed to go to children’s church. We were to sit in the pews and listen to the sermon with our grandmother. As we got older, I remember my grandmother dropping us off on Wednesdays for service. Later, I went with my older cousin to her home church. During high school, I attended services at my now husband’s church, where I was baptized.
Jesus Saved My Life and My Soul
My journey as a Christian began the summer before I entered high school. It was on June 4, 2005, when I was in a horrible accident. During an event, my friends and I played on an inflatable obstacle course similar to those people rent for birthday parties. I came down the slide, and another boy slid down, landing on top of my head breaking my neck. I panicked because I had never broken a bone or been to the hospital before. However, I could not lift my head at all.
My youth minister’s husband was an EMT, and he rode with me in the ambulance to the hospital. I remember the EMTs discussing inserting an intravenous (IV). The IV worried me even more because I was terrified of needles. I cried to the Lord, and He heard my fear and need. Suddenly, I felt his peace. The EMTs never had to insert any needles into my body. If the invertebrate breaks had been centimeters different in their location, I could have been paralyzed from the neck down. I left the hospital without having to receive any surgeries. I had to wear a neck brace for several months until it healed. That day Jesus saved both my life and my soul. Today, I can live a normal life without any permanent injuries from the accident. Thank you, Jesus!
My Calling and Growth on My Journey in Christianity
The Lord is calling me to follow Him wholeheartedly and to share His truth with others so they may find salvation and freedom. For me, this adventure starts with me growing in God’s Word and building a stronger, personal relationship with Him. My goal is to share the love of Jesus through my actions to the people God places in my life.
I have struggled with fear and anxiety for a while, but I know that I must continue to trust in the Lord and seek His guidance as I continue down the path ahead. “Do not fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to answer everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:14-16). Taking more courses at the Christian Leaders Institute will help me to grow in my faith, increase my knowledge of God’s Word, and equip me with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Thereafter, I can go out and help others find the Truth that will set them free.
My Studying Journey in Christianity at CLI
Being able to take these Bible School courses free of charge has been a great blessing. Many people struggle financially, and I am still paying off student loans from college. Having the opportunity to learn about God’s Word without the burden of tuition costs alleviates financial problems. It allows me to focus on becoming a better Christian. I plan to take what I learn from these courses and apply them to my daily life with my family, friends, students, and co-workers. I am thankful that I have been given this opportunity. My prayer is that others can find and benefit from these courses also!
After being part of the Christian Leaders Institute for a short period of time, spiritual growth occurs within me. I am excited to come home from a hard day at work and get to relax while learning more about the Lord. I don’t have to worry about meeting deadlines and the typical college schedule of studying. There’s no cramming to complete assignments or rushing to complete assessments like I remember doing long ago.
This type of learning is different than any other. It allows me to seek the Lord actively, provides Scripture to support each message, and promotes free interpretation and modification of beliefs based on my experiences and the new information. There are no major deadlines and no rush to finish early. The “learn at your own pace” method allows me to take breaks when necessary. It also allows me to internalize the messages to strengthen my faith and grow in my knowledge of the Bible.
My Joy on the Journey
Pastor Reyenga and his team are passionate about sharing the Word of God. They want to listen, learn, and share their messages of Christ that make a difference in many lives! I am thankful for this opportunity to further my education at Christian Leaders Institute! I hope others find the joy that I have on their journey to become more like Christ.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.