A Twisting Path in Faith
My name is Stephanie Light. I am excited about the free Bible training curriculum at CLI. Residing in Western Montana, I raise my son as a single mother. I spent most of my life in the dance and entertainment industry as a professional choreographer, adjudicator, and instructor.
I grew up in San Diego during the late ’70s and ’80s by two loving midwestern parents amid a post hippy into yuppie era. Alas, they were spiritually defunct. Around kindergarten, I asked my mom to take me to different churches all over San Diego, and she obliged. Anytime I made a new friend that went to a church I had not yet discovered, I would invite myself along. I loved to sing, so the Pentecostal churches were often my favorite!
Challenges and Coming to Know the Lord
Unbeknownst to my family, I grew up in an area where toxins were dumped. I faced depression with constant suicidal ideation at a very early age. I cried out daily, “WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?” My heart hurt so badly, and I didn’t know who I was crying out to at that time. Yet, every time, I felt peace sweep through me. I felt safe.
By eleven years old, I asked Jesus into my heart at my best friend’s dining room table. I requested her mom to help me and asked if there was dancing in heaven. She said yes. I prayed to Jesus, and Jesus has never forsaken me. Through many scary experiences, divorces, health issues, spiritual attacks, JESUS IS THERE!
In 1991, my family and I moved to Montana, and I immediately felt at home. Youth groups and churches were abundant. On a typical Sunday, my 16-year-old self would drive on her own to Sunday School at a Baptist Church. I followed with regular service at the Wesleyan Church and finished with a visit to the Young Women’s studies at the Mormon church. Being fascinated with theology, I took seminary at the LDS church before school for two hours my entire Junior year. I wanted to understand my friend’s beliefs.
Into the Darkness
My family has unusual talents in both athletics and what some call ESP. Some people called me a “psychic.” At one point, I gave in to the term and turned away from Christ. I was so angry, and I allowed pressure to push me into publishing books based in the metaphysical field with an emphasis on witchcraft.
I gave into being so tired of not fitting in, without a teammate, and constant bullying. However, the gifts were confusing, and the world consisted of two camps: those who loved me and those who called me evil.
Cancer
In 2017, l hit the deck while choreographing a show. After marrying AGAIN, I received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. My new husband handed me his ring after my second round of chemo treatment. He said, “I’m sorry. I just can’t do this.” Another failure, I thought he was the one.
Unable to teach dance anymore after my diagnosis, I needed to find a new source of income. I already had an English Literature degree. However, there wasn’t much I could do with that in my immediate circumstances. I earned my Realtor license and have seen the sad state people are in spiritually.
Free Bible Training Curriculum at CLI: Into the Light
I faced challenges of chronic health issues, failed marriages, and a confused mind with contradictory statements from the world. My illness put me back in the Christ lane. I don’t want to leave it again! Jesus is saving me in body and soul.
I found the Christian Leaders Institute online. When I heard Professor Reyenga talk about spiritual gifting, my heart lifted. I desire to minister full time. I don’t know where I belong yet, but through this training, I know Christ’s plans for me will unveil. This Bible training curriculum is speaking to my soul in a way that I never knew ministry or seminary training could.
I recognize I have been called on many times, and I am in my contentment whenever I answer the call. I want to live my life for God. Witnessing unnecessary suffering affects me intensely. Jesus is always there!
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 Joseph Scott Parker, and I am grateful for the free professional ministry training at CLI. I am originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and today, I live in a small eastern town in Tennessee.
I completed my GED in 1977, the same year I would have graduated High School had I not dropped out to enter the US Army in 1976. After my tour of duty, I applied and was accepted to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. My major was in business administration and general management. Unfortunately, I discovered I was not ready (mature enough) to be a full-time student, so I returned to military service in the US Navy.
My Early Years
My father was an attorney, and my mother, a registered medical secretary. At one time, my father taught high school English, so education was stressed. My parents both hoped I would be a “professional,” Father wanted me to be an attorney like him. Mother wanted me to be a doctor. I have always had an interest in law, so that seemed to be more likely. However, I was a disinterested student.
When I was in Elementary School, my parents hired a tutor for me because I struggled in math, and probably all of my classes. That tutor was a Christian. He led me to Christ via the “Romans Road.” That summer of 1969, I gave my life to Jesus.
My parents divorced when I was ten years old but then remarried “for the kid” the following year. They divorced for the last time the next year, for “irreconcilable differences.” Due to the stresses of home life, that was the right decision for them.
Interest in Ministry
I have had an interest in ministry for many years, but this became a desire to fulfill over the last ten years. I have been all over the place spiritually, but I always come back to the Bible and Jesus.
During a time in Bible study, I suddenly realized, I doubted. I doubted Christianity as a whole; Jesus, God, just everything about it. And when that realization hit me, I started weeping. That was the Holy Spirit telling me that my doubts were valid, but the answers were in the Bible I was studying. That was the beginning of a lifelong study of the Bible, which eventually led me to the Christian Leaders Institute for some structure.
Heart Attack and Changes
In September of 2014, I had a heart attack that was so mild in action that I didn’t feel pain or anything that I had associated with a heart attack. I went to the local hospital; from there, I was taken by ambulance to their main hospital in downtown Chattanooga. Forty-five minutes later, I was in surgery. In the ambulance, I said a short prayer. “Lord, I trust you to see me through this if that is Your will. But in all things, Your will be done. Amen.”
As I said earlier, I received a basic understanding from a friend that was tutoring me. I knew God from that. However, I lived like ‘hell’ during my military days from 4/’76 to 10/’84. I’m not proud of that, but I have to be honest about my past being rough. The good thing is that I settled down, returned to college for training in computer maintenance, and almost completed the course. The heart attack knocked me out of that. But something HAD to change in my life. I knew where to find it with Christ and in the Bible.
Professional Ministry Training at CLI
I have studied the Bible for years. I am 62 now. What I am going to do in the future is in God’s hands. But I have my ministry: BOLD Faith Ministry, based on 2 Timothy 1:7. I hope to begin a home-based Bible study and possibly a web-based ministry, which may lead to a church-like setting. Currently, I hand out “GOT GOD?” business cards. On the back, it reads: “I AM,”; Watching, Listening, Waiting, HERE. Then I also include contact information. I don’t know if it has touched anyone yet, but I have been thanked many times. Alas, no one has, however, contacted me for prayer.
I live on Social Security Disability Income because I am a heart patient. My heart is inoperable, according to my original cardiologist, and I have diabetes. So, after paying rent, utilities, food, internet/cell phone, and medical bills my insurance doesn’t cover, I have a precious little leftover. Going from a sinner to a minister is only through God. Finding a way to accomplish guided and professional ministry training for free at CLI was God sent.
God Bless Christian Leaders Institute!
Learn 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 Phyllis Wong. Born in Tampa, Florida, to the late Preston Wong and Angela Wong-McKinnes, I completed my public school education graduating from Blanche Armwood High School in June 2009. Currently, I am a student taking free courses at Christian Leaders Institute. I am the mother of one daughter.
Baptized at a very young age at New Testament Worship Center, my home church in Tampa, it was shortly after the passing of my father in December 1999. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life and have been on fire for the Lord ever since. I proudly serve as the Director of Music and Worship at Gideon’s Army Ministries Church of The Living God – Jewel Dominion, where Elder Cortez J. Williams is my Pastor.
Music Ministry
I have always had a passion for music and was singing before I could speak at the tender age of three. Although I have been singing for 26 years, I have used my gift of singing in ministry for 18 years. I have been a part of local and national award-winning ministries, shaping and assisting with my gift of singing to advance the kingdom of God. In June 2012, I stepped out in faith and started singing solo, and on October 12th, 2012, Phyllis Wong Ministries was born. Since then, I have traveled across the United States of America. I ministered in song in several states such as California, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama, and Pennsylvania.
Gospel Ministry and Free Courses for Ministry at CLI
In 2018, I said “Yes” and did my first initial sermon at Crossover Empowerment Kingdom Ministries. After that experience, I wanted to get to know God on a more profound and intimate level. After attending Gospel Ministry Training at the local assembly, I wanted more. I am pursuing these free courses at the Christian Leaders Institute not just to get a better understanding of God, but to be all that God has called me to be.
I desire to take my ministry to the nations. God gave me a gift of ministry through song. With it, I can embrace the brokenhearted and uplift and inspire the next generation of worshipers. I want to be a contagious light bringing life and hope to all people everywhere.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.