Hello, I am Andrew Peavey, and I found online ordination at CLI. My beautiful wife, our hilarious 5-year-old son, and I live in Garland, Texas, in the Dallas metroplex. I’ve spent the past twelve years running a family retail furniture store alongside my father. Here I watched my father model the “holy mundane” of work. He was a furniture guy who brought glory to God in how he chose to love our customers and partners. In November of 2019, we decided to initiate a going-out-of-business sale to close the business after 72 years of serving the community. By God’s grace, we liquidated our inventory on March 7th of 2020, just one week before COVID-19 began shutting down our area, our state, and our country.
My Faith Journey
I grew up in a Christian home where my mother stayed home while my father ran the furniture store. When my sisters and I were children, we joined our parents in the church services each Sunday after Sunday school. It exposed us to communion, although my parents did not allow my sisters and me to partake. The tiny cracker and teaspoon of grape juice to a five-year-old boy was a feast fit for a Narnian prince. My parents explained communion to us. It is a celebration and remembrance of Jesus Christ’s work on the cross on behalf of sinners. They said that one day if we placed our faith in Jesus Christ and His work of forgiveness, then we too could enjoy this feast.
Just a few years later, I found myself in misery lying on my bed one Sunday morning with bronchitis. While my mother went to get a wet rag for my forehead, the Holy Spirit opened the eyes of my heart. I placed my faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of my sins. I was thrilled to get my first wafer and a cup of juice and be a part of the family of God!
Struggles and Growth
Since that Sunday, my journey has been much like so many of you. At the age of 11, mental health problems surfaced at school. I convinced myself that everything I turned in at school was a failure even though when I would receive my grade, it would be a 95 or above. I went to counselors, took medication, and struggled with perfectionism in school. My parents offered to pay me money for every B I received to take the pressure off myself from getting A’s. I never made a dime.
Scripture became a source of life for me, modeled by my father. He gave me a small pocket Bible that I would carry everywhere in my back pocket. The Psalms, especially Psalm 13, gave me so much hope to see a psalmist struggle with their mental health problems. To see him cry out “how long, O LORD” and declare “give light to my eyes or I will sleep in death” gave me a model to take my wrestling thoughts to the one who is the Light! The Psalmist taught me how to praise God even in the darkness. “I [too] trust in [His] unfailing love, my heart rejoices in [His] salvation. I will sing to the LORD for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
Scripture Speaks
Even today, the Psalmist and all of God’s Word resonates with me as a look back over the past decade and see the hurts, confusion, failures, and sins. Peter tells his readers in 2 Peter 1:1b that they “received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Peter declares that Salvation is a gift from God. The word “received” literally means “obtain by lot.” Essentially, we won the lottery!
Then, Peter reminds us that our salvation is equal to or as precious as his own but not because Peter got it right all the time. Jesus rebuked Peter for getting in the way of Jesus’ mission to the cross. Peter was sifted by the devil and failed when he denied Christ three times. Then Peter was rebuked by Paul, even after Peter spoke to thousands and saw the church explode through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Instead, Paul called out Peter for separating himself from the Gentiles out of fear of what the circumcision group would do and say to him. When Peter penned 2 Peter, he was fully aware of his failures and struggles as a follower of Christ. 2 Peter 1:1b proves it because my faith, your faith, his faith is a gift from God. It is precious and equal not because of anything we did, but rather because of the object of my faith, your faith, Peter’s faith is the same. Jesus Christ and his work of righteousness on our behalf is the object of our faith.
Hope and Online Ordination at CLI
This fact gives me great hope despite all my screw-ups! I am thankful God restores us to himself, and through his power and promises, we can grow in Christ-likeness. Then we can be useful in our knowledge of Jesus Christ until the day He restores us completely new in His glory.
So why am I here at the Christian Leaders Institute? My sister met a guy, and they fell in love. They asked me to officiate their wedding. So I went online to get ordained. That is kind of important to making their marriage legit in the eyes of the state. As I researched different online options, I realized so many of these online ordination companies did not support my worldview and values. I did not want my money for the certificate to go towards something I did not believe in or support.
Then I found online ordination at CLI. Their statement of faith and their desire to equip the saints for the work of ministry without having to rack up debt sold me on CLI. My main goal is to provide a Christ-centered wedding ceremony. A ceremony that my sister and future brother-in-law will look back fondly on in their grey-haired days. Online ordination at CLI has given me an opportunity to be equipped to do just that. Thank you, CLI!
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 Yvonne A. Davenport from Athens, Georgia (USA), and I am taking free Bible classes online at the Christian Leaders Institute. I am an undergraduate from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism and a Master’s in Public Administration from Piedmont College. Besides my public education, I have had the opportunity to attend many Leadership and Christian Education seminars and conferences. These fueled my desire to teach and serve in the ministry.
Christian Leadership Experience
Unlike many places, Christianity is supported and encouraged where I live. This fact by no means implies that Luke 10:2, “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborer’s are few: pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborer’s into his harvest,” is not relevant. I serve in the ministry in my local church and on the regional and state level. My passion is teaching and serving others.
At my church, I have served and still serve positions including Christian Education Director, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Director, Church Secretary, Pastor’s Administrative Assistant, President of Usher Board, and as a teacher for Sunday School and Bible Study. On a regional level, I currently serve as the Women’s President for the Northwestern Baptist Association#1, which covers three Districts. I am an inspirational speaker and a Christian author. I am inspired to reach the saved and unsaved by using all my gifts in God’s service.
Free Bible Classes Online at CLI
Presenting God’s Word and moving others to action is often challenging. Many have the habit of attending events and church but not putting their convictions into action. Through my free Bible classes online at the Christian Leaders Institute, I am learning much about leadership and relationship with God. The Seven Connections discussion in one class at CLI gave me a better understanding of building stronger foundations for those looking for Christ. It also strengthened me on a personal level to develop habits for my walk with God.
A woman in ministry can run into some unique challenges in some cultures. However, I have the support and encouragement of my pastor, family, and mentors.
Childhood Commitment to Christ
For as long as I can remember, I had a thirst for the Word and a need to be a part of God’s program. My public confession of belief came when I was eight years old at the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia. It was on Mother’s Day. Pastor N. Mathis extended the invitation to Discipleship. In the African American community, this invitation was “opening the doors of the church.” Now to me, a child, it appeared to be a quick process. and I panicked because I sat against the wall, and I could not hold back. I closed my eyes and dove across the laps of others and landed on the floor in the middle of the aisle. I remember one of the older mothers in the church seated up front, saying, “Wait…here comes my baby!”
My Youth
I grew up in a Christian home with my father, mother, siblings, and grandmother. All were highly active in the church and community. We often opened our doors to those in need of a place to stay or older relatives that needed assistance when ill. All the adults held various positions in the church. What was expected of us was modeled by my parents, grandmothers, and those around us. Our church encouraged youth and youth activities. We participated in every phase of church activity.
The pastor’s I grew up under encouraged learning and family activities. They supported all the members in their church activities and their work life, school activities, and family celebrations. It is still true today. Our current pastor and my mentor, Pastor John K. Pinckney Sr, is exceptional in his commitment to our church family and his desire to order the church in sound doctrine and practice. Love remains the foundation in Christ that teaches all to serve with a sincere heart and purpose.
My Journey
As a youth, I attended church and Sunday School regularly. I participated in Christian education workshops and conferences. I began teaching at the age of 14 and served on the Youth Usher Board.
As time went on, I continued to grow in Christ. I served as a teacher for Sunday School and Bible Study, Superintendent, Christian Education Director, church secretary, and Pastor’s Administrative Assistant. I also produced the church’s newsletter, In My Father’s House.
Ironically, I learned that as you grow in Christ, many people discourage you by saying you are too young to be so wrapped in the Lord. Invitations to certain events were far and few in between for me. Taking a stand for right, I was considered naïve or just a little off. However, these events did not cause me to take a detour.
One of the most rewarding experiences and humbling was when I began my work with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services. As a caseworker, I saw situations and living conditions that I had never imagined. I saw the life light gone out in the faces of children and adults alike. It was then that I realized that in and of myself, I could do nothing, but Christ could do all. Initially, victims of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and so much more prayed to ask God why. It was the 30 years of working in this field that opened my eyes to see God even in dire situations.
Spiritual Dream
My spiritual dream is to allow the Lord to use me as He sees fit. I want to walk out His Word in a way that will serve as a living testimony that God is real. To model that faith for others and point them Christ so they may see the beauty found in this new life is my goal.
Today
I am in this place and at CLI because God was positioning me for more. All my gifts are to glorify Him. Then, after the unexpected death of my niece in February of this year, I knew it was time to step out of my safe place. I am to go back into working with those in distress and helping them see the light that shines in the darkness.
Thank you, CLI, for this opportunity for free Bible classes online!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Praise the Lord! My name is Isaac Parry, and I am excited about the Christian connections at CLI – the Christian Leaders Institute. My family and I live in the western part of our country, India. I hold a professional degree in Social Work. Furthermore, I have about 18 years of experience working for a Christian humanitarian organization from a grassroots level to heading the national level.
I had the fantastic experience of being a Christian leader, not only in the organization I worked with but also in local churches at various places and times. Often, pastors preferred me to come to the front, but my preference was always to support and back the church and pastor from behind the scenes. I live in a country where persecution of a minority community is not a new thing. India has a long and sad history of such atrocities for years.
My Upbringing and Salvation
I grew up in a Christian family with a Muslim family name. Under some mysterious circumstances, my grandfather could not cross the country borders during the partition and remained behind. Later, he married my grandmother, who probably converted from the tribal part of our country. My Muslim family name was never an issue or matter of concern throughout my school education, making friends, or in any daily course of our life. Only in the 1990s, during nation-wide communal riots, for the first time, we were scared to carry a Muslim family name.
Though we were regular Protestant churchgoers, I never had a personal encounter with God. The Bible was too big a book for me to read and understand. After some tutorials in church, we received baptism as children without much understanding. Finally, during my higher education, I met a friend who helped lead me to God and a personal encounter with God. I surrendered my life and accepted Jesus as my Savior.
Gradually, I learned about many truths that were never mentioned or taught to us in my church or Sunday school during my childhood. Some of those teachings were crucial for me as a believer to understand, know, and experience. Instructions about the work of the Holy Spirit, speaking and praying in tongues, and much more.
My Spiritual Dream and Challenges
My spiritual dream is to be an instrument of God’s love in His Hands. I want my life to be a testimony so that all glory goes to God. The Christian Leaders Institute’s free ministry training will prepare me for the purpose that God has for me. I want to be ready and equipped so that I am available to do His work in my professional and personal life. Being a social worker, I understand poverty and social issues. These struggles can be addressed not by our limited wisdom but by God’s supernatural intervention.
The major obstacle that I faced has been in receiving sound doctrine and understanding of the Word of God. The watered down and manipulated words taught during Sunday services have not helped me. It led to more frustration and confusion on how to live out a Spirit-filled life. Time reading the Word of God, praying, and depending upon the Holy Spirit to reveal scripture truths helped me get a new understanding of God’s plan.
Christian Connections at CLI
Christian Leaders Institute training will help me get a proper perspective and a clear understanding of the aspects of being a Christian leader in our world. The Christian connections at CLI are a blessing. The awards and credits received will authenticate my leadership.
I am the sole breadwinner of my family. It was a long time desire to pursue courses like the ones at CLI. Until now, it was not a priority due to other responsibilities. Amazed that CLI offered free training online, I registered. However, for a year, I did not pursue it. I thought it would trap me into paying for the classes in some other way.
My wife and I prayed for theological studies to pursue. To our surprise, my wife received an invitation to join CLI! It was a supernatural act of God because she never enrolled in the course. Accepting it as an answer to our prayers, we pursued it and searched its genuineness. I praise God today that we both enrolled in various classes, along with our eldest daughter. We are blessed by this generosity-driven institute. We believe that we also will be able to contribute to this ministry soon.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.