My Spiritual Journey: A Walk with God
Hello, my name is Johnnie Flores. I am excited about the free Chaplaincy training program at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here).
I grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, and currently have three brothers and three sisters as one of my brothers passed away in 2015. Growing up back home, life was somewhat normal. However, many problems were at home with my mom and dad. We only attended church on special days like Good Friday, Christmas, and other related Catholic holidays. My parents did not attend church often. I often said to myself, “There has to be something more in life beyond what I am currently going through.” I joined the U.S. Army after turning 17 to see the world and seek a better life and opportunity. I retired after 22 years in the U.S. Army.
My Marriage
Towards the end of 1979, on my first overseas tour in Panama, R.P., I met my wife, Vianca. After three days, I asked her to marry me. Truly God became an integral part of our marriage after we returned to the states. I was stationed at NTTC Naval base in Pensacola, Florida. My wife and I wanted to begin having children, but she had some issues where we needed to see a doctor. The doctor confirmed that my wife could not get pregnant because her mind was still in Panama, thinking about her mother.
Therefore, I tried to get reassigned back to Panama, but there was no luck. Suddenly, however, I received a special assignment to Panama. God had his hand on it because these types of things seldomly happen in the military. One month after being in Panama, my wife got pregnant. This was an amazing blessing. She enjoyed the time with her mom and family. Everything was going great.
Challenges
The night before our son Johnnie Jr. was born, my wife Vianca experienced a lot of pain. We decided to seek immediate medical attention at the Army hospital nearby. They then placed us in a room while we waited to be attended by a doctor. A few hours passed by, and when we asked when we could see our doctor, the head nurse informed us the doctor went home because it was the end of his tour.
Then the machine displayed that the baby was in distress. The hospital staff searched for a doctor to deliver baby Johnnie. By this time, both my wife and baby Johnnie experienced several medical complications. After the staff located a doctor to perform surgery, the doctor stated too much time passed. The baby or my wife may die because the baby was not breathing. The doctor and staff delivered my son, who appeared purple in color and was not breathing. Due to the staff’s negligence for waiting so long to deliver the baby, our son was born with brain damage.
After receiving this information, my world immediately turned upside down. He was my firstborn. My wife also fell very ill due to the medical compilations our son Johnnie Jr. experienced. I did not know where to go or what to do. The tears poured from my eyes, full of pain for both my wife and son. I decided if anyone can help, it was God. I went to the hospital chapel and prayed.
Surrender to God and Blessings
As I keened in front of the cross, I said to God, “Let your will be done. If you decide to take baby Johnnie or my wife, I’ll do my best to live with it. Please, God, bless my family so that we may continue to give you praise.” God gave me this verse: “My friend, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. But be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
Johnnie Jr. has several medical issues. He is currently 100% disabled and requires 24/7 care. He is 37 years old. Johnnie red-lined three times throughout his lifetime. God has always been there, giving us the strength, hope, and love in taking care of Johnnie Jr. God tells us to trust in Him, for all things are possible with Him. We have been blessed to walk with God through these trials and tribulations and have been married for a total of 40 years. We have three children: Johnnie Jr., Jean Carlos, and Joel. “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
My Ministry Service
During my time in and out of the military, I volunteered in many organizations: The Fisher House, The Salvation Army, The Red Cross, the Special Olympics, The United Way of San Antonio, and Habitat for Humanity. I also attended A.C.T.S. Adoration, Community, Theology, and Services Catholic Retreat to experience the closeness to God on a one to one relationship. I’ve also attended the Oblate School of Theology’s 2-year program study in Pastoral Lay Ministry. There I received additional training in Hospice care, Nursing Home Ministry, Consolation/Bereavement Ministry, Death Notification & Related Issues, and Basic and Advanced Bible Studies. I believe my vocation in life was and is to help others.
Chaplaincy Training Program at CLI
I wanted to strengthen my ministry walk with my church and community in giving back for the many blessings I received from Christ. I want to share God’s grace with others and gain a better understanding of God’s words. My pursuit of knowledge is the path I want to take so that I can serve my God. I received an email from one of the volunteers, Jonathan Porter, from Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). He provided me with some information on CLI. I reviewed the information and decided to look into the Chaplaincy training program to earn additional skills to assist others. Thank you, CLI, for this free Chaplaincy training program.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Hello, my name is Rebekah Grimm Mace. I was born and raised in the beautiful State of Virginia in the USA. My mother was a devout Christian for over 60 years, and my dad was a WWII veteran. I am the youngest of four siblings. We all were firmly seeded and nurtured in the Lord Jesus Christ. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at age five and was water baptized. I was deeply rooted in the Word of God and knew the Bible from cover to cover. Further, I heard Gods’ voice at age 5, age 11, age 34, age 42, and age 48; however, I did not answer until age 50. Now, I am studying Bible-based college courses 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.
The Wages of Sin
I was approximately fifteen years old when I underwent major back surgery for scoliosis. At age sixteen, I had the bright idea that I needed to marry, which lasted for five months. Not a year later, I met my second husband. What a whirlwind that was! That was when I was introduced to alcohol. I gave birth to my daughter in 1983. I was clueless that I had issues of feeling unloved, for I was the people pleaser growing up.
As alcohol became the main focus in my life, it wasn’t long before I lost my daughter and husband. Our relationship was on and off for years. When I was expecting my son, my husband took my 15-month-old daughter and disappeared for some time. I gave birth to my son in 1985. My husband returned and introduced me to my three-year-old daughter. He also informed me that I was an alcoholic. After much denial, I attended and joined a support group.
Ten years later, a new house, decent employment, and one day I decided to have just one drink. Well, that is when I discovered that one drink was one too many. As before, it did not take long before I found myself childless, husbandless, and homeless. Two years later, my husband and I tried it again, only to fail miserably. The pattern continued, and I lost everything again.
Continued Struggles
Then, husband number three appeared. I found myself expecting my third child with the threat of homelessness. Only, this time I quit drinking. My youngest son was born, and life was a fairy tale until………….. oh yes, I picked up the bottle again. I battled this demon for a few years. Somehow, I managed to acquire and maintain a six-figure job, title, authority, leadership, and all. This was the one thing I excelled in.
Of course, I hadn’t walked in the way of the Lord for several years. However, I somehow knew that should I call upon him; he would hear my cry. I tried everything at my disposal to conquer the demon of alcoholism but was defeated every time. Then I suffered the loss of my dad. Two months later, I lost my employment. Shortly after that, I lost my mother. Next, I lost my health. Lastly, I lost my husband.
My Defeat
Listen, do you hear the whisper to your soul? My indulgence in the world drained my ability to live. Every heartbeat I hoped would be the last. Oh, God, Why? All efforts of taking my own life added to my list of failures. What am I supposed to do with all these feelings? “Reach for the bottle,” is all I hear. Scrambling like a caged animal, trying to find anything to numb the pain. “Is this living? What cruelty and selfishness,” I thought, as I cursed my parents. Every day, every breath, every memory, every waking moment, was pure hell. Sitting in the ashes of what used to thrive, I died a little more each day. Nothing remains in these ruins for which I and I alone am responsible.
Lying on my face in total darkness, crippled by despair, desolate, and destroyed. My face was swollen from crying. I ran out of tears with nothing left inside as a dead hollow tree. Then silence ……….. pure unadulterated silence, and I gave up. I had no demands and no responsibilities, nothing but self-pity. Everyone had left me here to die, and I could not die. Then, a faint whisper, a vague memory, a moment in time, a life ill-spent, a shattered heart, a lost cause, a body without life. What are these memories but torment on top of torture?
My Savior Lives
A whisper, a word? No, it is louder…… not a word, but a melody! Wait, there is relief in this melody! No, it’s my imagination again, as if somewhere a fraction of hope remains. Hope for what? You are a worthless failure! Who do you think you are? Do you think anyone would care even to acknowledge you at this point?
Slowly, peace and calmness overwhelmed me as I lifted my head. No way! As I watched him walk towards me, all of my destitution, despair, desolation, death, and life I saw in him. He said, “I make all things new.” Oh, my soul! My God! I am lower than the lowest. I betrayed and cursed you. He reached for my hands as I heard the most beautiful melody flowing from his heart to mine. “ I have paid for your pain, your destitution, your failures, your sins, and yes, your healing, He said. The very God of all creation sought me out. He put his mouth on mine, breathed into my lungs, and said, “Live!”
The Chain Breaker
Finally, I acknowledged the voice of God as I lay recovering from cancer, which should have taken my life. I picked up the Word of God, and I realized it lives. Growing up in the faith, I had heard only four things about the Holy Spirit: he spoke in an unknown language; he interceded for me; he abided within me; and never blaspheme him, as this is the unpardonable sin. As I began to read scripture, I felt like I was but scratching the surface. The Lord spoke to me, saying, “It is okay to have a relationship with my Spirit.”
That was the beginning of a great revelation to me. As I grew closer to the Holy Spirit, my heart filled with joy. The scriptures took on such depth. I experience the richness of the Spirit of truth, the teacher, the comforter, the discerner. One evening my son and I were in a discussion. As I turned my head toward him, the words, “I am not a preach…” on my lips. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit pulled the reins of my tongue and said, “In fact, you are.”
Free Bible-Based College Courses at CLI
One evening, I was on my iPad, checking my email and reading. I cannot tell you how I ended up with an open web page that read, “Minister training for free.” Thinking this was too good to be true, I took the required steps to receive a free scholarship at Christian Leaders Institute. I received a scholarship for the free Bible-based college courses at CLI! As I was already an ordained minister, I thought, I’ll see what this is all about. All I can say now is WOW!
As I delved into the Bible-based college courses, I found so much that I thought I knew and was embarrassed at how little I knew about Christianity, Gods’ Word, and Jesus. At a time in my life, with no employment or any insight, I saw this was the hand of God. All the doubt, fear, and wondering if I heard God subsided with each lecture, each reading, and each test I took at Christian Leaders Institute. CLI is precisely where God wants me at this time in my life.
The classes at Christian Leaders Institute are high-quality, Bible-based college courses. I am not 100% certain where this will lead. However, I see a vision of working towards becoming a Life Coach. The testimonies from current students and graduates of the Christian Leaders Institute are life-changing. Having a learning disability has not hindered me. The lectures, notes, and readings create the atmosphere of being taught one on one. I know this is a divine appointment. I am so grateful to the Christian Leaders Institute for their generosity and obedience to God. Their utmost mission is to ensure that debt does not hinder the call of God on any life so more leaders can become ministers.
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.”