My name is Cindy Smith, and I live in rural mid-Michigan with my recently-retired husband of 42 years. We have three married daughters and four grandsons. I own a small business and appreciate that the Christian Leaders Institute emphasizes the bi-vocational ministry model. The free Bible learning at CLI opened my eyes and my heart to the possibility of pursuing a deeper path into ministry (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here).
With a passion for God’s people and His word, I wondered if I should have taken a different life path. Maybe I should have attended seminary, although the idea was not even on my radar in the late ’80s when I earned my associate’s degree in business. Through CLI, I have the opportunity to pursue my dream of further theological study. However, I don’t need to abandon the business that I’ve built over the past twenty-plus years.
My Ministry Journey
For four decades, I’ve been involved in Christian education through Sunday school classes and small groups. Through these experiences, I’ve learned much more than I’ve taught and received much more than I’ve given. Although I was raised in the church and saw my mom, grandmother, and other family members serve God through their dedication to the church, I never really heard the call until my own children were school-aged. Knowing I wanted them to attend Sunday School and grow up in the church, I began teaching Sunday School when there was a need in our church. The friendships I made through involvement in these groups have enriched my life.
From the years of connecting through service in the church, I desire to grow nearer to God. I never tire of listening to sermons, reading books, studying scripture, or simply being still as the Holy Spirit works on my soul.
In 2015 when our United Methodist Church transitioned to a new pastor, I took on a lead lay servant’s role. I continue to grow through that ministry. In doing so, I’ve taken many lay servant classes. Also, I had the opportunity to share messages during Sunday worship services at my church. The research, reflection, and prayer involved in preparing for Sunday services are humbling, meaningful, and fulfilling. I listen more closely to people and gain insight into their hearts and minds. Then the Holy Spirit shapes my message based on the needs of the church.
Bible Learning and Ordination Opportunity at CLI
A dear friend of our family recently asked if I would officiate at her wedding ceremony. I was deeply moved by her request and feel it is a good “next step” for me. I’m uncertain where the Holy Spirit might lead me as I work through the Christian Leaders Institute Bible learning curriculum. However, my immediate plan is to pursue ordination.
Beyond that, I know that building a deeper relationship with Christ will allow me to build more meaningful relationships with others. In turn, building deeper relationships with the people I meet, especially those who look and think differently from me, allows me to grow a deeper relationship with Christ. My spiritual dream is for the Lord’s house to be a welcoming, loving, and comfortable place for God’s people to gather and grow together. I sincerely appreciate the role CLI will play in my ministry pursuit.
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 Caleb Custer, and I am thankful for the online ordination training opportunity at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here). I’m from Ashland, Ohio; however, I’m currently a graduate student in Pensacola, Florida, U.S.A. I attend Pensacola Theological Seminary, where I am working on my Master of Divinity degree and intern at a local church. I graduated from Pensacola Christian College with my bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministries in 2019 and plan on graduating with my master’s degree in the spring of 2022. Taking classes from the Christian Leaders Institute is a bit different for me since I’m a seminary student. I have to take the time to watch videos and read the notes between my job and my local classes. Thankfully, CLI has made it easy to take classes in the midst of a busy life.
My Spiritual Journey and Dream
My parents were both first-generation Christians, so I grew up in a home that was vibrant spiritually. We attended a conservative Baptist church and were there whenever the doors opened. My parents were both concerned with our spiritual life and tried to provide the best guidance they could. They put my eight siblings and me through a private Christian school, even though it wasn’t cheap. They invested in us and made sure that each of us knew that we were loved by them and by God. As a result of their efforts, I came to know the Lord at a young age. I started asking questions about salvation before I was five years old and accepted Christ as my Savior on September 5, 2002.
My spiritual dream is to eventually become a senior pastor at a local Baptist church and teach average laypeople to know the Bible as a Bible college student. I strongly believe that the church in America is mostly ignorant when it comes to the Scriptures. We know some Bible stories and some catchy verses, but how much time do we spend digesting the meat of Scripture. My dream is to find a way for the person in the pew to know the Bible forward and backward. I definitely don’t think I’ve arrived at maturity yet, but I want to keep pressing toward the mark.
Online Ordination Training at CLI
Probably the biggest two obstacles I personally face in that journey are laziness and shyness. God has blessed me with a pretty good mind, so I’ve never really had to work that hard in school. That’s been a big help, but it’s also led me to be lazy in my walk with God. I assumed that I know the Bible well enough and don’t need to work hard. The other obstacle is my shyness. I have no problem speaking in public, but I really struggle connecting with people individually. I’m introverted and find it hard to get a good conversation going. I’m going to have to fight both of these obstacles if I want to serve the Lord to my maximum potential. With God’s help and strength, I can overcome.
I started taking classes at the Christian Leaders Institute so that I could perform my sister’s wedding ceremony. She and her fiance asked me to marry them, but to perform the ceremony, I needed to be ordained. I looked at online ordination options and found that most of them were with organizations that I would oppose spiritually. Finally, I found CLI. My beliefs align much more closely with CLI. I am thankful for the opportunity at CLI the generous donations of others have given me.
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 Theresa Jeremiah, and I am learning the Bible online for free at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here). I live in Brooklyn, New York, USA. I did not grow up in a Christian home. My siblings and I attended church frequently on Sundays, but it was just religious activity. I did not realize that until I made Jesus my savior and Lord.
My Christian Journey Begins
In my teens, my oldest brother and a remarkably close cousin surrendered their lives to Jesus. My cousin talked to my friends and me about Jesus and the need to be “born again.” He was nice to talk to, so we listened to him and asked a bundle of questions. Regardless, we had no intention of doing anything about what we were learning. As a matter of fact, we made fun of it every time he left us.
Eventually, my brother invited me to three days of meetings at the church he attended. I went to the services, and on the last night, I was sitting at the front and hated it. My concern was about myself, “Why did they give me this seat? I don’t want to be close to the front.” I don’t remember anything the preacher said in his sermon, but I heard him say, “What if you die tonight? Where would you spend eternity?” I thought about it. I knew I was afraid of dying. Suddenly I felt as though someone lifted me and brought me to the altar. No one had touched me. It was amazing, but I feel as though I never walked to that altar. The Holy Spirit carried me. I surrendered my life to Jesus.
Challenges and Standing Firm in My Faith
I started my Christian journey believing that I would only experience perfection. A few months later, I was shocked when I experienced two sisters’ unkind behavior toward me. I was in a prayer meeting and decided that it would be my last night in church. To my surprise, when the pastor went to the altar, he began to speak about what was in my heart. He said, “You might be saying, tonight is my last night here. Don’t let anyone stop you from serving God.”
That confused me! I reasoned within myself, “Who told him what I said? I did not tell anyone.” I wondered if I told someone and forgot, but I knew I did not discuss it. It was in my heart. That night, I made up my mind never to turn back from the Christian path. I thank God for that early experience because more than twenty years later, I am still on this journey with the Lord! I now know the wheat and the tares will grow together.
My spiritual dream is to help many people get to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. I want to help them become strong disciples and teach the weak and discouraged believers how to grow an unwavering faith in God. Since I got encouragement and am stronger for it, I want to do the same for others!
Learning the Bible Online at CLI
I have a hunger for a Bible education. Learning the Bible, rightly dividing it, and evangelizing effectively are my goals. This desire drove me to the internet to look for affordable education. I could not find anything to fit within my budget. I looked for a free class for learning the Bible online and found the Christian Leaders Institute. At first, I thought what I was reading was too good to be true. However, I concluded that God answered my prayer! I did the getting started class, and now I am about to complete the Christian Leaders Connection.
The high-quality education at CLI means so much to me. I am blessed to be learning the Bible online. Someone made this possible for me, and I look forward to contributing to others’ free education soon. Thank you, Christian Leaders Institute, and all the others supporting this institution!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.