Saved to Make a Difference, Jesus Did It!
I firmly believe that anyone can be chosen by God to be a difference to make a difference. Hello, my name is Shaneil Jones, and I am at a free high-quality Ministry School – the Christian Leaders Institute.
I am from the beautiful Island of Jamaica, and I am part of a family of six. I grew up in a Christian home where my siblings and I were taught by our parents to respect and revere the LORD.
The Call to Worship
I accepted the Lord Jesus as my personal LORD and Savior at the age of 12. Immediately after, I started my first year in High School. There, I was led to take five minutes from my lunchtime to pray with a friend of mine. We started doing this every day, and each day students and teachers began to join the group to pray. Before we knew it, God established a powerful prayer meeting for His Glory.
The Challenge
In the year 2007, I had to leave school abruptly. At that time, my family was going through a rough time. They did not have sufficient funds to pay for my tuition, which was required. Therefore, I did not get the chance to graduate and receive a high school diploma from them. It was very challenging for me, but I trusted the LORD to lead me as He pleased. In about a month or two, I started attending a local institution. There I finished my studies.
Broken to be Blessed
Two years passed, I turned 18, and my life went down the wrong path that eventually pushed me closer to the LORD. I got in the wrong company of friends, and I got pregnant. At that time, I was the one my family depended on to make the difference. I was very disappointed in myself because I had failed my family. However, I felt even worse because I had failed the LORD miserably. Thank the LORD for His grace!
During that time, I recommitted my life to Christ as I was not satisfied with the type of lifestyle and friends I had. I did not feel I belonged. I spoke to my friends about returning to Christ. However, it was not received well at all.
Recognizing the Call
I thought life would get better instead of worse because I forsook the lifestyle that was unhealthy for me. However, In 2010, I became ill and lost my baby at childbirth. Surprisingly, during that time, I felt the peace of God but did not understand why. With more revelations from the LORD and confirmation of His spoken word, I recognized that the calling of the LORD was upon my life.
Shortly after, I experienced death, and within my spirit, I cried unto the LORD for help. I cried, “Please, dear Jesus, help me!’ Immediately my spirit reentered my body. I woke up showing my mother that indeed there is deliverance in the name of Jesus Christ.
The following night, the LORD revealed Himself to me. “I have let you live for a reason and a purpose, for a reason have I redeemed thee,” saith the LORD. These words made me realize that indeed I was a chosen vessel for the LORD. I needed Him and could do nothing without Him.
God’s Amazing Plan
In 2012, the LORD was using me as His mouthpiece in the lives of many. Within this year, I decided to do a course in ministry. God opened the way for me to attend Bible College in my city. I finished the first year and was about to enter the second when I was hit with a lot. I could not come up with any tuition to finish there. During this time, I began praying as to what I should do. The LORD assured me that I should not worry because He would allow me to finish Bible school in America. So, I trusted God and left college.
A Free High-Quality Ministry School – CLI
I traveled and worked for the LORD. Furthermore, I was ordained in the states as an evangelist for five years. In 2020, a sister from the USA was talking about this free high-quality ministry school. She said it was a free study online. Every time she mentioned CLI, I felt a calling to study there. I obeyed the voice of the LORD. Now, I am grateful that the ministry school the LORD led me to study at is the Christian Leaders Institute.
I am blessed and honored to be a part of this free high-quality Ministry School. Thank you so much for having me. God bless you. I am looking to achieve what I could not achieve years ago. I want to be a more equipped Minister for the Kingdom of God. Then, I can be a difference to make a difference. I pray and trust that God’s will is evident as I take this path of great purpose. To follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit and make the best of this study opportunity is my goal. Then, lives will be transformed and used for the Kingdom of God.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Hi, my name is Alex Becker, from the United States of America in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have been blessed with formal education, including an MBA, BS in Chemistry, and certified as a Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) at the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station. However, I am excited about furthering my Biblical knowledge of Jesus and the Bible at the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). I desire to use this knowledge to glorify God in His service in whatever capacity God is leading me.
I grew up in numerous denominations, including the Catholic faith, and have had a healthy Christian upbringing. Great parents were a gift to me, even though I did not realize it or appreciate it at the time. I grew up in the foster care system and lived with several families. I, therefore, had a lot of uncertainty in my life as a child. Thankfully, I was adopted as a child and know that Christ has adopted me into his larger Christian family.
Blessed by God and Furthering my Biblical Knowledge at CLI
Furthermore, I married a wonderful Christian wife. We have two children and three grandchildren. I am a sinner saved by God’s grace. Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and I know that God has good plans for my life. God can use me to help spread the gospel of the good news of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus saves.
Therefore, I look forward to growing through study and learning what God has in store for me. CLI has a role in that future of furthering my Biblical knowledge. I know that to whom much has been given, much will be required. (Luke 12:48) I also play piano and guitar and love to praise God at church and nursing homes. I plan on using these gifts to glorify God. Our God is loving, all-powerful, all-knowing, and forgiving! Our God reigns!
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 Onica Jolene Attwood, and I am studying at CLI, a free online Christian college. Born and raised in Capetown, South Africa, it is also where my grandparents, my parents, and I attended the Old Apostolic Church. I studied at the International Academy of Health and Skincare where I graduated as a Health & Beauty-therapist.
Current Journey with God
I’m on a journey with God, currently learning how to become a good Christian leader at the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). I made a few mistakes in life, but I’m so grateful God found me! My relationship and journey with God began when my local hairstylist ministered and prophesied over me. Thereafter, she invited me to church, and I went through water-baptism soon after as well.
Being a resident of the Netherlands 🇳🇱 now, I have found a passion to study again. I am so appreciative of the many opportunities to learn, study, and apply what I’ve learned at CLI. I find it easier to put into practice what I’m learning. Also, people are more open to hearing my perspective on God’s word with my education. I’ve also been given opportunities to share about several topics in some local churches. I have thoroughly enjoyed it!
It’s very safe here as opposed to South Africa, but the need is also great to learn and to understand the Bible. I sense a lack of knowledge amongst fellow believers, especially when I attended various Bible studies. I have struggled to find a place where I can find a good teacher and mentor.
Ministry Dreams
My desire is to connect to God in such a way, that I acquire the necessary knowledge, wisdom, and skills to build a church in my country of South Africa 🇿🇦. My aim is to reach and teach many to overcome racism, gangsterism, and to walk in the way of Jesus Christ. I want others to understand the Jesus is the way and the truth. There are hope and a good future ahead in the body of Christ.
My heart goes out to abused women and children, who are currently living in poverty in the gang-infested Capeflats Colored Communities. It’s heartbreaking to even witness it. Young men have given up on hope for a good future. They think the only way to survive is to join gangsters. They need mentorship and guidance. So my vision and dream are to train them to overcome what they’re facing. Then, they can become well-equipped leaders and fishers of men with Biblical knowledge.
My Journey with God through Cancer
God became real to me when a few events occurred in my life. They were way beyond my control. I was diagnosed with cancer and given three months to live. I needed to continue with chemotherapy, which I felt almost caused my death. So, I refused to continue with the chemo treatment. I decided to fast and pray! Going to several hospitals asking them to REMOVE the tumor, all the hospitals refused to operate and suggested chemotherapy. I felt like they were forcing the issue, which left me even MORE DEVASTATED!
Eventually, the tumor ruptured, and I was rushed to the hospital. The surgeon there asked me whether I believed in God. She had heard I refused chemotherapy and blood transfusion.
Needless to say, I answered, “Yes of course!”
She gave me an ultimatum, “I’ll only do the operation on the condition that you agree to do radiation thereafter” I agreed.
After the operation, the surgeon told me that I’m a miracle because no trace of cancer was found spread in my body. I was misdiagnosed. Bear in mind that I walked for almost five years with a tumor that they refused to take out. Nevertheless, the radiation followed because I had made a promise to the surgeon. The only reason why she encouraged the radiation was to ensure that everything around the tumor was killed.
My Journey with God after the Operation
The radiation took 33 days. It was a very traumatic experience especially since my husband had committed suicide only over a week before my operation. I was totally shattered. I buried him one week before my operation. So, here I was alone in a foreign country. I basically left everything behind: my country, my family, my friends, and my church. I did it all for the sake of love. Therefore, now I SOLELY HAD TO RELY ON GOD.
What really humbled me and made me realize that I needed Christ now more than ever in my life was when I learned I would die in three months’ time. Then my mom suddenly died, and thereafter my husband “left” so suddenly. I felt abandoned, betrayed, and broken (my children are adults living their own lives in South Africa). I was left to fend for myself!
Giving up on life, I didn’t want to die. I cried, fasted, and prayed, singing gospel songs every day after my operation. That was the only thing I did. Then miraculously the Agape Love of God entered my heart. A love I never knew existed. God placed many Christians around me. They prayed, brought me food and clothes as my weight dropped (I had no food or money). I realized just how much God cares about me. I didn’t feel like an orphan anymore. Praise God!
My Childhood Journey with God
I had a very difficult childhood. Being born of mix-raced parents in a country where apartheid was still practiced, I never felt accepted anywhere. I didn’t fit into any groups. Sundays were my best days because my dad took me to church and I could wear my beautiful Sunday-dresses, my hat, pretty shoes, etc. It was a good feeling, but I didn’t learn much there because women had to remain silent. The best part was after church, my mom prepared a delicious lunch of pot-roasted chicken, potatoes, etc.
When I became a teenager, I left my church and started attending one of my school friend’s church. I enjoyed it very much because I could sing, dance, and clap my hands. No more women have to remain silent rules. It was great!
Since then I was church-hopping as the years went by trying to find God. Everywhere I attended there were different doctrines, religious beliefs, etc. Sometimes, I relocated to another city, village, or town. Then, I would always visit the local church and join. So, I had to start all over
again in a new church or congregation. However, I loved it. I met a lot of Christians along my journey up to the point that I immigrated to the Netherlands.
The Turning Point in My Journey with God
It was in my early thirties when I visited my local hairdresser Michelle who started ministering to me while styling my hair. I loved the way she ministered to me. So, she became my permanent hairdresser and close friend. Later, she took me with her to church and I was baptized in a swimming pool at the Pastor’s house.
A year or so later, God called me to join the worship team at the local church, walking distance from my home. While worshipping with the team, I could feel my love and trust for God growing more and more. There was an overwhelming yearning to draw much closer to God. I felt the Holy Spirit in my heart. My lifestyle changed, I became a new creation. It was a complete transformation happening to me! Suddenly, life had new meaning and I felt so full! The Bible became my favorite book!
For a period of ten years or so, I’ve been looking and asking around to find a Christian college for study. I approached several leaders in churches asking them for help. I was told to stay in the proof of the Lord. However, I kept on asking for information, but there were no funds available for me to attend a college. Because of rejection from others, I stopped going to church as well.
Finding a Free Online Christian College at CLI
It was then that the “COVID” pandemic hit the world. So, I started looking for FREE online Bible courses. It was then I came across the Christian Leaders Institute, a free online Christian college. I knew God answered my prayers. I was very excited and started studying immediately.
My desire is to continue with the Christian Leaders Institute, as it gives me the hope to fulfill my dream of building a church and community center to inspire others to do the same.
This free online Christian college is so important to me because I know that I am hungry for the Word of God. I am totally passionate about it and want to share my knowledge with others out there who might also be having the same desires and dreams without the necessary resources to do so.
I thank you for granting me this opportunity and wanting to invest in me as a vessel of God!!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.