Hi! My name is Terry Phong. I am taking biblically-based training for free online at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here).
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My Background
For as long as I can remember, I longed to know my real identity. Here is a quick little background of me. I am one of those Amerasian babies born during the Vietnam war. I never knew my father. My mother told me he was an African American soldier that took advantage of her. My mother’s and my relationship has always been somewhat strained since we both hold a lot of resentment towards each other.
Being half Black and growing up in an all Asian family that is Buddhist is also quite interesting, to say the least. I was literally the black sheep of the family. I am not going to lie. Trying to fit in was kind of tough, so I did not bother trying to do so.
Searching for Identity
Once adolescence came around, I did not want anything to do with my family. I have no father, my mother is a hypocrite, and I had an older brother who was gay (he died of AIDS in 1994). With no positive role models in my life, I hung out with the wrong crowd and started doing drugs to escape.
I had my first toke of marijuana at the age of twelve, which was the beginning of the end. My newfound identity and motto were sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll. Just as King Solomon tried to fill his life with excess, I tried to fill mine. I quickly discovered it is all meaningless, and the only place it got me was in and out of jail.
However, unlike King Solomon, I did not have the resources to feed my hedonist lifestyle. So I turned to crime to support my habits. Long story short, I was constantly putting myself in harm’s way because of the lifestyle I chose. It was only a matter of time till I hit rock bottom.
There is no doubt in my mind that God always had His hands on my life. He protected me and saved me from the poor choices I made in my life. I will not detail the many drug-filled adventures I had but let say that it is nothing short of a miracle that I am still alive today.
Unto Salvation
The truth is the sex, drugs, and rock and roll were all a welcome distraction in my life. However, it also got me into a lot of trouble and a life of addiction. When I finally realized my lifestyle was not edifying for me or anyone else, I decided I needed a different kind of distraction in my life.
I decided to give love a try. I fell in love and had my heartbroken, the absolute worst feeling in the world. The drugs did not kill me, but my broken heart almost did. Rock bottom was finally hit. I was nearing 30, a drug addict, and my life was going nowhere. Finally, I was fully broken and ready to surrender it all to God.
I was first exposed to the gospel from a youth pastor grounded in biblically-based training. It was during the time I lived with my aunt for a year at age 13. She took me to church with her because she did not trust me to leave me by myself at her house. I was also exposed to the gospel through prison ministry. Some call it “jailhouse religion”, but I did not care. Going to church in jail means getting out of your cell for an hour.
No matter how I got exposed to the gospel, I am forever grateful that I was exposed to it. Isaiah 55:11 says – “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Found What I Was Looking For
After 16 years of wandering in the wilderness doing drugs, searching for my identity, and looking for love in all the wrong places, I was ready to receive God’s gift of salvation and real love. I called on God in my brokenness, and He answered me. He helped to heal my broken heart and began to fill me with His Love.
At age 28, I began my walk with Christ. He immediately began to transform me from the inside out. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.” I finally found my identity in Christ. However, I didn’t realize that I needed biblically-based training to ground me.
Spiritual Warfare is Real
Luke 4:13 – “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” Sadly, old habits die hard and can reappear in our lives if we neglect to put on the full armor of God. After 6 months of being sober, I began to backslide and went back to my first love of smoking weed. I convinced myself that it would be alright for me to have just one vice. After all, every man has at least one vice, right?
It is a lot easier to convince oneself, but to try and convince God is a different story. The Holy Spirit was not going for the “one vice” thing. Indeed, God was working on my behalf to replace that bad habit with a much better one.
For the next year or so, I struggled on and off with my pot-smoking habit. That is until I met my wife. God’s grace showed up once again! It was love at first sight. The first thing my soon-to-be wife said to me was that she could not marry a smoker. I immediately said I would quit, and I did!
Married Life
Fast forward, my wife Chris and I have been married for 20 years now, and we have four wonderful daughters together. Of course, everything was not perfect. Although my focus and priorities changed since my drug-filled days, I then chased after the other things of this world, like money and success.
Once again, I convinced myself that my focus needed to be on money instead of God. Especially with a wife, four girls, and an aging mother to care for. You see, our adversary, the devil, knows our weaknesses and how to lure us back into his world. He wants to keep us distracted and keep us from doing God’s will.
Free Biblically-Based Training: God’s Not Done With Me Yet
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Before enrolling in the Christian Leaders Institute with its biblically-based training, I experienced an epiphany moment. Jesus is all about the transformation and relationship we have with Him. The success or wealth I was seeking did not matter. I have always desired to help others in my life, but I was not clear on how I would do that.
My years of soul searching and prayer somehow led me to CLI. I am currently seeking to get certified as a Life Coach Minister. My life experiences thus far can easily tell you precisely what NOT to do. Now I want to get biblically-based training. Then, I can learn to do things the right way.
I desire to grow in my faith and walk with Christ. I also feel that Life Coaching is my calling, but I do not want to go into debt paying for the high cost of traditional ministry training or Life Coach certification. So the classes at CLI are a perfect fit for me.
Living a Victorious Life in Christ
I thank God every day for believing in me when I did not believe in myself. And, as His image-bearers, I want Jesus to be my personal Life Coach so that I may help guide others with their spiritual journey through life.
My journey to spiritual maturity is one that God enables. I realize that I still need to do my part, but ultimately it is God and the Holy Spirit that help me be more like Jesus. Philippians 2:12-13 shows both of these truths when it says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
My name is Sandy Brooks. This story is about my journey to start my free Bible study training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here). I live in Martinsville, VA, but I am from the small town of Rocky Mount, VA. In 2019, I moved to Martinsville, VA, to be closer to the private school that my son attends.
My Beginnings
I am the oldest of two girls. I didn’t have a bad childhood. My mother and father both worked full-time to provide for my sister and me. When I graduated from high school, I joined the Army Reserve. Since the Army Reserve is part-time, and there is not much income, I worked two jobs to get by and raise my newborn son. Then, I decided to join the regular Army to have a full-time job, insurance, and a better life for my son and me. Being in the Army gave me a lot of time to travel and see new things. I was in the Army for 10 1/2 years and had two wonderful boys.
Saved by Grace
In 2010, I met my husband. And we got married 3 years later. We are a blended family with 4 children of his and 2 children of mine. Life is a challenge, but through the grace of God, it works. In 2013, we were invited to attend a church called Inner Faith Fellowship Ministries. There I fell in love with God and my church. My husband, me, and my son were baptized in February 2014 and gave our lives to God. The day that I gave my life to Christ, I knew things were going to change, and did they ever.
Struggles and Renewal
However, I took a wrong turn, not asking God to guide me and just did what I wanted to do. I decided to take a job in Tennessee, and not only did it take a toll on my marriage, but I lost my way and my walk with God. My husband and I separated for 1 1/2 years, and I also lost connection with my church.
Therefore, I knew that things had to change, and I had to be a better me. I wanted my marriage back on track. I loved my church and wanted nothing more than to get things back on track with my spiritual walk. So my husband and I decided to get back together and put God first and foremost in our lives. I went back to my church, and we started doing counseling with our Bishop. The more I was in church, the better I felt. I knew things were changing when I was in church, listening to Bishop preach. Something inside of me stirred, and I wanted more and more of God’s Word.
Finding CLI for Free Bible Study Training
Then, one day, I was on the internet looking for colleges for free bible study training. That’s when I came across the Christian Leaders Institute. I researched CLI’s website and fell in love with the school. So here I am, studying and learning more. At CLI, I realized that I want to do ministry and make a difference in my life and others. At first, all I wanted to do is learn more about the Bible, but God has put it on my heart to study for the ministry. I pray and ask God to continue to give me wisdom and knowledge to learn all that I can. I look forward to my future and what God has in store for me on the rest of my journey.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Free Bible School Courses at CLI
My name is Trevor Conkey, and I am thankful for the free Bible School courses at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here). I live in the United States in Georgia. My wife, Tracey, and I have three daughters Brittni, Tyler, and Hailey. We also have three grandsons, Tucker, Beau, and Tanner.
My Spiritual Journey Began
My spiritual journey began when I was 16 years old. I was dating a young woman who’s family was very devoted to God. To date her, I began to attend church with her family. While at a youth conference at the church over three days in August of 1982, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. At this time, Pastor Mike Warnke prophesied that I would be a pastor and evangelist.
I went on to marry this young woman in December of 1984. At the same time, I enlisted in the Army. In the Army, I went on to be a leader of a Special Operations Team. During this time, my walk with God fell very far away. My priorities were my team. I neglected my spiritual life and family. I was divorced after about six years. After 10 years in the service, I left and transitioned to civilian life. It took many years for me to understand that God was still calling me to serve him. However, I felt so undeserving of him because of my service with the team and my divorce.
Slowly, I began to understand that the Holy Spirit was leading me back. As my spiritual life became stronger and stronger, I remembered the prophecy from when I was 16. So while living in Florida, I attended a seminary. After I had attended for about a year, I moved back to Georgia.
Church Plant, Challenges, and Growth
In 2005, I planted a church and was the Senior Pastor. The church went from 10 people attending to 100 people in 2009. At this time, I burned out due to the neglect of my spiritual walk and my family. I had a problem in my family and had to step down and turn the church over to another pastor. Due to everything, I became very depressed, and once again, I felt that I was the reason all this had happened.
After several years and marrying my wife Tracey, I once again felt the Holy Spirit’s leading. God put Tracey in my life for a great reason. After a few years of marriage, Tracey and our daughters convinced me to see a psychiatrist. It was a huge step for me because I believed that I could fix myself. I was diagnosed with PTSD, Bi-Polar 2, and anxiety disorder. Once I understood what was going on and took a pill twice a day, I became a totally different person.
New Direction and Accountability
Tracey and I now had the marriage that we were meant to have. We found a church in Grantville, Georgia. At first, Tracey, being from a Baptist background, wasn’t sure about the church. The Pastor and some of the people had tattoos, and some were in recovery. However, as she got to know the people, she fell in love with Change Church. I loved the church on day one as it was nearly identical to the church I had pastored before.
One day, the pastor and I spoke. I asked him what was wrong as I could see that he was tired. We quickly became friends. I shared what happened with my church. Now, we hold each other accountable for our relationships with God and our families. He opened his pulpit to me to preach once again. It is because of his love and guidance that I found my way back to God and God’s calling. I knew that what I had done before did not work, so I searched for online Bible School courses.
More Challenges
During my search in early March of 2020, I contracted Covid 19. We thought at the time it was bronchitis. So I went to the emergency room and was given breathing treatments. After much debate, they gave me the Covid test. They admitted me to the ICU and allowed Tracey to stay with me. At this time, almost nothing was known about this virus. We were in this isolation room for three days. The doctors decided to send us home to quarantine because I didn’t show any symptoms.
After getting home, a friend of mine at the local paper asked if he could do a story. I was the first case in our county, and immediate are area. After talking, we decided that it could help everyone see that this is very real. As Tracey and I quarantined ourselves and did the newspaper article, things turned bad for the church and us. People were attacking us in the church and from the community through Facebook. We thought we had done the right thing by showing people that this was real.
Covid Strikes
After being home for 2 days, I spiked a fever of 103.7. It was at 10:30 that night the CDC called and confirmed it was Covid. They said to continue to quarantine for 14 days. Our church and our family was under attack. I had an anxiety attack and could not breathe. Tracey gave me the inhalers that they sent me home with. Nothing she tried helped. I became ashen gray in my face and lips, and my fingernails were blue. She wanted to call 911, but I told her no. She called our oldest daughter, a nurse manager of the ICU and CCU at another hospital. They video chatted so she could see me. She told Tracey to immediately call 911 and call her back as she was afraid she would have to talk Tracey through CPR.
It took the county rescue a while to get to the house. Once they did, they had no idea how to handle this situation because I was the first. After about 10 to 15 minutes, they finally got me in the ambulance. Tracey heard the paramedic ask me if I had afib. She thought that I would die, and it might be the last time she saw me. This started our battle with Covid.
On the Ventilator
Once at the hospital, they had me on high flow oxygen and gave me a breathing treatment. My oxygen level was 77 and falling. Respiratory failure is considered below 90. They admitted me back into the ICU on a BiPAP machine, which forced air into my lungs. I was able to talk some in between breaths. I called Tracey and spoke to her after about 24 hrs. The doctors and nurses had been calling and asking questions and telling her what they thought might work. As I was the first case, they had no idea.
One day, the Physician’s Assistant (PA) told me that I had 2 choices: Be put on the ventilator so they could buy some time, or I die. I knew that most people who go on a ventilator don’t come off. I told him I needed to pray, so come back in 10 minutes. As I prayed, I heard the voice of God like a friend talking to me. Jesus was seated on his throne, mediating for me. The voice said I would get through to the other side of this and asked if I trusted him. My answer was yes. God said he loved me and to trust him. When the PA returned, I asked to call my wife. I told Tracey I was going on the ventilator and that I love her. I never got to tell her about God’s promise to me.
Test Drug
Then, I went on the ventilator and was put into a coma. I was on the ventilator for 15 days. My family went through a living hell as the medical team tried and failed with many things. During the entire time, Tracey could not come to see me or touch me. We had the best doctors and nurses God could have put on our team. The nurses called Tracey a couple of times a day. They let her video chat with me and put the phone next to my ear so she could pray over me.
The doctors were able to get me in the remdemisvir trial treatment program. I was number 236 in the United States to get this drug. After day two, the team called Tracey and told her they might have to give me a tracheotomy. I might not make it. At this time, my family said no to the tracheotomy. My family had been praying Psalms 91 over me several times a day. On day three of remdemisvir, I began to show improvement, and by the 5th day, they were ready to wake me up.
Rehabilitation and Free Bible School Courses at CLI
I’ve had extensive rehabilitation, learning to walk, and use my arms again. Every day I get stronger but still suffer from what they call Post Covid Syndrome. I see specialists often and am at 8.5 months into it. I am not working and still have health problems. However, my family and I are still praising God and believe in complete healing.
After 30 days of my physical therapy, I found the Christian Leaders Institute after getting out of the hospital. The free online Bible school courses at CLI allow me to get back to God’s plan for me. Since I am not working and have time between doctor’s appointments, I can take the free Bible School courses. God teaches me to trust him. He led me to the free Bible School opportunity at CLI. Thank you, CLI!
Trust God for all your needs and live the life God has called you to!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.