The Lord led Kyle Parcher on a new journey that he did not expect: one that was filled with pain and confusion, but also beauty and true freedom in Christ. Read his story to hear more about his journey and the ways in which God continues to lead him.
Getting My Attention
The past four years here at Christian Leaders Institute and College have been amazing. I started this journey in 2017 while lying on my back in bed due to an injury. The Lord was attempting to get my attention. I had spent my life wrapped around money and how much I could personally create. There were times that I would let God in, but in most cases I spent a fair amount of time marveling at what I had accomplished. The Lord had other plans for me. The day I fell off of my roof was day one of a new journey.
Change of Plans and a New Journey
When I was eighteen, I attended college at Philadelphia College of Bible. My dad called and asked me to come home, just as I was starting my sophomore year. He was battling stage four cancer. So I packed my things and started home, not knowing what to expect. I told God then that if he really wanted me to go to college, then He would have to make it free. My life has been amazing. I met my now wife of 26 years, settled down, and started my own business. Once we had our four boys, life sped up to 120 miles an hour. I dove into money: finding it under rocks and hanging in trees. I found it extremely easy to make. This gave me a sense of accomplishment, and the older I got it became more of game really than anything.
In November of 2016, we were redoing our roof. Before we had time to get the shingles on, snow and rain started to fall. I watched the rain that was now forming in my uber expensive home. Drywall started to cave, and it was time to fix the problem. As I stepped out onto the roof, I swear I heard God tell me not to, but bold Kyle went out anyways. That was day one of a new journey.
Serving Elsewhere
Around 2018, I could not understand why I was studying at CLI/ CLI. My then current church was pushing hard against the schooling. The pastor refused mentorship, and this led to frustration. He does not have a degree and feels that it is unnecessary. He said that, “The Spirit will lead you to all knowledge”. My wife and I started praying to see if the Lord was leading us to serve elsewhere. Sure enough, one year after I started praying, he led me to the little Christian Reformed Church (CRC) across the street. In July of 2019, I was installed as their paid youth pastor. Not only was the pastor ecstatic with my schooling, he has also become my best friend.
God knew exactly where he needed me to serve, and the classes at CLI and CLI were a crash course. Everything I needed to know was right here. My pastor is a Calvin Seminary graduate, and he knows almost everyone who teaches here as well. However, I did not grow up CRC. I went to a Christian Reformed high school, but everything they did was foreign to me. My church when I was a child until now has been non-denominational. My studies here opened my eyes to a whole new line of thinking. I was not converted on every topic. I still believe in dunk baptisms and the sinner’s prayer, but I am not opposed to sprinkling baptisms or professions of faith.
Removing the Veil
My favorite class here was Hermeneutics and Exegesis with professors Dr. Jeff Weima and Dr. David Feddes. This class helped me to better understand how to read God’s word for all it’s worth. I was listening to one of the lectures while driving one day and it was like a veil fell from my eyes. In fact, I was so amazed by what I learned that I emailed professor Weima right away.
Here is part of the letter I wrote to him: “Today, I was listening to your video on “The Necessity of Hermeneutics” and started weeping at the end. The Lord removed a veil of darkness from my spiritual eyes. A veil that I have carried most of my life and one that Satan has poked at for years. The fear of inadequacy to preach and teach was removed. I am confident to move forward in growing and learning coupled with teaching, and I am not afraid anymore. I sent up a thanks of praise to God for you today.”
Moving On
I am not sure what the Lord has next for me, but I am going to push hard to finish my studies here at CLI and CLI. With only eight classes standing between me and my Bachelor of Divinity degree, I hope to have that completed by January. I do want to move on. I am looking forward to a master’s program, but I am not sure whom I can take that with yet. The field of study is counseling and it needs to be a program that helps me obtain my state license. I am praying that CLI earns their accreditation, as this will open many doors for students to go into the master’s programs of our choice.
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.