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.
My name is Richard Jones. My Christianity journey has led me to free Bible training online at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I live in the south of the UK. My first church memories are as a young boy being taken to a church building, going to Sunday school, taking yearly scripture exams, and failing them every time. At that time, I had a Mum, Dad, and 2 older brothers, both of whom would pass the exams, and my parents got annoyed at me for getting it so wrong. I was a trouble maker. I played about instead of listening. Hearing things about Jesus and doing right, I heard nothing about the relationship I could have with him. However, back then, I wasn’t listening.
My school life wasn’t much different. I failed exams with usual reports from my teachers saying I talked too much. In my early teens, our family planned to move. However, after renting in a new town, my mum decided she couldn’t do it, so the move was canceled. This 6-week gap seemed to mean we no longer went back to the church. My dad had no interest, my brothers were doing their own thing, and it was the perfect way out of going for me.
New Direction: My Christianity Journey Begins
Time went by. My mum found a new church, of which my dad dipped in and out. He would commit and then fall by the wayside. My dad carried a lot of pain and issues from his life that followed him into adulthood. It was projected on to us children. He was easily angered, and there would be days of silence for wrongdoing. He was heavy on punishment, distant, and seemed disappointed in me daily.
One Sunday evening, my mum managed to talk me into going to church with her. I sat with my arms folded and a look of disinterest. Others noticed and mouthed to my mum, “He doesn’t want to be here, does he?” But then, the singing started, and a cool guitarist started playing and singing with a smile of joy. It caught me off guard. Further, I noticed the youth group and saw a couple of boys who went to my school there. However, I had never spoken to them before and thought I would wait until school to say hi. Sure enough, one of them invited me to the youth group meeting. I attended and made great friends there over the years. It also is where I gave my life to Jesus.
I left school with no grades to my name, but I recall being given a prophecy by a gentleman in the congregation. I remember him saying several things, but I distinctly remember him saying I would serve in the community. However, I threw it in the bin.
Distracted from My Christianity Journey
In 1993, I joined the Fire Service as a Fireman. I fell in love with a youth leader’s daughter, and at 25, I married her. We had two children together. Then everything changed in a way I was not prepared for. I took my eyes off of God, and I didn’t lead our home in a Godly way. My wife became everything to me. She was the only one who could meet all my needs. Church had long since become an occasional visit, and the ‘truth’ became my own ideas. God was my vending machine, whom I went to if I wanted or needed something.
A few years after I married, my dad left my mum. He had been secretly talking with another woman and planning to leave my mum. He left her after emptying all their bank accounts, leaving her with nothing. After 7 years of marriage, I found out my wife was talking online to other guys while I was on the night shift with the idea of leaving me for someone else. Sin had an open playing field in our home, with no defense. Needless to say, soon after, she did leave me for one of these guys. I was absolutely heartbroken.
Doing Things My Way
In my arrogance, I told God I was going to do things my way now as His way didn’t work (like I was actually walking His way). I looked for purpose and satisfaction in so many places. Then, I met a girl who I thought was interested in me. I had not had this kind of attention in so long. Before my divorce was final, I asked her to marry me. However, her secrets came out, and I had to walk away for the safety of my children.
I put on a face for everyone. I bumped into Christians and spoke “Christianese” to look like a great guy. Yet, I could also fit in at any party. I lived out expectations of others to be liked, drank too much, had an addiction to porn (a lifetime struggle), had meaningless sex, and had the foulest language. I was a huge fake with no identity.
In some ways, I was a good dad. I always put my children first, giving them all my attention and loving them with everything I had. We had holidays and the greatest of adventures together. We had such close bonds.
God Spoke to My Heart
In 2010, my life changed. I was having a conversation with my mum when she asked if I was okay. Knowing full well that I wasn’t, I replied, “No, not really.” “Do you need to see a doctor?” she asked. I replied quietly, “The One I need is way above a doctor.” She responded by inviting me to come to church the following Sunday.
The church gave me a warm welcome. God spoke straight to my heart. It was like a scene from “The Matrix” movie – “Make a choice Richard. Take the red or blue pill. One choice leads to coming with Me. I mean all in, no lukewarm sit on the fence, half in half out affair when I say with Me. Come, follow me, and we walk life together. Or the other choice is to carry on with how you want things – your choices, your way that will lead to destruction.”
I chose God! Wow! The things I had tried in my own efforts in my life stopped there and then. I stopped my foul language, meaningless sex, and porn addiction. The Holy Spirit was immediately at work in me, changing my thinking. How could I do these things knowing what Christ did on the cross for me? How dare I count it as nothing and carry on in these things? Finally, I understood who I was and who I belonged to. I no longer cared to impress or be liked. I was the same person all the time. Now, I am forgiven not because I deserve anything, but because of God’s grace and mercy at work in me!
Christianity Journey Continued
As for my mum, God led her to a lovely Christian husband. They had many happy years together before he died of cancer. Not long after my salvation, my father passed away. I had the opportunity just before he died to ask if he knew Jesus as nothing else mattered. He responded by saying, “There is only one set of footprints in the sand, and they are not mine.”
Over time, I was offered dates with Christian women, but I always found a reason not to. I feared any bad influence on my children and myself. My heart had high walls that no woman was going to get over. I joined the worship group as a singer. Through God’s incredible timing, I learned to play the guitar, which led me to lead worship. My children were also attending church with me. They went to Sunday school and were having a blast. My son even came with me on two mission trips to The Dominican Republic and China. My passion and joy kept growing as I helped people fall in love with Jesus, the greatest joy I know.
A New Friend on My Christianity Journey
In 2013, a friend of mine had thought that I would get on well with another friend of hers. She proceeded to give me her friend’s Facebook details so we could connect. It turned out her friend Michelle was living in South Africa and working for the church there. My heart wall safely in place at this 6000-mile distance. I contacted Michelle. We became friends. During one of her visits back to the UK, we met up. We had a fun time, but neither of us was in a place for anything to progress yet. She went back to South Africa. However, while there, she became quite ill and asked me to pray for her. I sent her daily songs, encouragements, and prayers until she made a recovery.
I had a list of so high and far fetched qualities that surely God would never find me this woman. But, if God found one that met this list, then I would consider her. Michelle and I often texted and emailed. I didn’t see how this could ever work as Michelle lived so far away. However, suddenly, the church position closed, and Michelle came back to England. Again, we met up, but still, it seemed that neither of us was ready.
God Changed Our Relationship: Marriage in Christ
Michelle went to Malawi for a mission she runs there. At the same time, I went on a cruise with my kids and my mum. Still messaging from the boat, a change came. God breathed into both of our hearts. The whole tone of our messaging changed. Needless to say, God brought down walls. We dated on our return, and 9 months later, we married. Our marriage is Christ-centered. We pray together, worship together, learn together, and fight together (not with each other). We have had the joy of speaking into some broken marriages, seeing them come back together with Christ and for His glory. There is a purpose for us to be together. I do not look to Michelle to be my everything. It would be an impossible task that only God can do (Philippians 4:19).
God at Work in My Christianity Journey
My children have grown up. They now live with their mum. Sadly, neither of them walks with God, but they have tasted and seen the truth. Having tried the world myself, I know what it looks like with all its ideas and promises. I pray and believe a day will come where they have their appointment with God, and everything will change.
This story is not over yet, though. God leads. He is at work in me, changing what He desires changed. Sometimes, this takes a while. Sometimes, He leads me to do things bigger than I thought possible. I do not fear what He has for us.
My Christianity Journey: Calling and Spiritual Dream
Since 2010, various people have told me, “I had a dream you were a minister.” “You should be a Pastor.” “Have you thought about becoming a Minister?” “Are you a Minister?” Often, I questioned it. I could not go to Bible college despite a pastor’s offer of a reference once. I could not leave my children as a single dad or pay for the financial cost involved. Further, I did have the required grades to apply.
My spiritual dream is a new way of thinking about what I desire to do, and is it God’s desire for my life. In 3 years, I will retire from the Fire Service at 51 years old. I want to be a worship pastor or minister. The thought of this does make me gulp a bit, but I also know it excites me.
The Christian Leaders Institute is a great fit for me. I am learning the Bible free online as I answer God’s call on my life. The courses equip me well for my Christianity journey into the ministry. God makes all things possible!
I want to encourage, show the love of Christ, and sow seeds. I also want to inspire others, introduce people to Jesus, and see more people saved. To see people set free, healed, and new leaders to emerge is my dream. Joshua 24:15 is my motto, “As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord.”
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.