My name is Mary Warkaske, but everyone calls me Marcy. I am studying to become a Restored Life Minister through the free courses at Christian Leaders Institute. I live in North Prairie, WI, USA. Currently, I am on leave from my job due to the pandemic. I have been working in a law office for the past ten years. My bachelor’s degree is in English from U.W.-Milwaukee.
Going My Way
I can’t remember a time that I didn’t know God or believe that He was there. I received Jesus as my Savior in grade school and tried very hard to follow Him. My family was Catholic, and I even thought of becoming a nun. Unfortunately, when I got to high school, I decided to walk away from God. My home life was very chaotic, and I just wanted to have fun. I was 13 years old. That began an 18-year span of time in which I went my own way.
The story is all too common. I drank, partied, and dated until I met my future husband, Mike. Then we drank and partied together. I managed to get through college and be reasonably successful at work. We got married and bought a home. But, after many years of trying, I discovered I could not have children. This discovery was a huge turning point for me, as I realized I was not in control.
Surrender
After a time of wrestling with myself, I was driving to work one morning and feeling very hopeless and empty inside. Looking up, I said to the Lord, “Okay, I give up. I can’t do this on my own. I need You and surrender to You.” My heart felt lighter. When I got to the office, my boss fired me. However, God sent me to a new job shortly after that. On my first day, my new boss invited me to a nondenominational church. My new boss and a coworker mentored and discipled me for the next several years. After that time, Mike and I were able to adopt a little girl.
Called to be a Restored Life Minister
I have stayed close to the Lord for the last 25 years and currently attend a Pentecostal church. After the heartache of having a family member in jail, my desire is to be trained for prison ministry someday. Having witnessed firsthand the devastation of incarceration on individuals and families, God has filled me with compassion and a desire to help if I can. Restored life ministry is something I never imagined I would want to do. But God, who never wastes anything, has been calling me. I hope to complete the Restored Life Minister courses at CLI and see where He leads me. I’m so grateful to have the time and opportunity!
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My name is James Borbor, and I am receiving CLI Bible training for free. I am from West Africa, the Republic of Liberia. My wife, our three children, and I live in Kakata Marbibi county. Growing up in a great Christian family, I had the opportunity to attend church services every Sunday. I went with my mother, stepfather, little brothers and sisters to a Pentecostal Church. Over the years, I have had the privilege to work and served as an evangelist, Sunday school teacher, senior Pastor, as well as working on several building projects as a mission director. I have tried getting some level of training through webinars, seminars, and local minister training workshops in my country.
The challenges in my country as a minister are enormous and cannot be overemphasized. They are all due to poverty and starvation. It has created a culture where there are more professed Christians than those living as born again Christians.
Struggles
While growing up as a child, I enjoyed the comfort of a biological father and mother who were loving and wanted the best for me. During the civil unrest in my country that lasted for about 14 years, I was separated from my father due to his death in the war. I was left with my mother. My mother needed someone else to serve as my father and married my stepfather. Life got more difficult for me and my family. We had to walk 45 miles from Monrovia to Kakata Margibi county. I was just seven years old. I saw and experienced the worst forms of human brutality waged on innocent citizens while on our way to Kakata seeking a safe haven.
By 2004, my mother and spiritual counselor fell sick with type 2 diabetes. Her illness lasted for about four years until her death on December 13, 2008. My mother played a significant role in bringing me close to Christ. She encouraged a walk with God the Father. When my mother died, as the oldest brother of six children, I joined my father of 57 years old to care for my siblings to date.
My Calling and Finding CLI Bible Training Online
In it all, I give glory to the Almighty God for allowing me to come to know His son Jesus Christ in those turbulent times. In 2009, I had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ who gave me these instructions in Acts 26:18, “to open their eyes and turn them from the power of Satan and bring them under the power of God, that they may receive forgiveness of their sins.”
Since that time, I walked with the Lord in obedience and submission to His will and for His kingdom. I wish to advance the kingdom of God with the training acquired from the Christian Leaders Institute. Then I can teach other Christian leaders in my country and wherever possible. CLI Bible training is helping me achieve my ministry goals. It opened my eyes and connected me with great ministers of the Word in my country. The CLI Bible training will go a long way for me. It equips me to bring other Christian leaders in the ministry building a Biblical culture. I wish to get as much training as possible at CLI. The free CLI Bible training is the greatest opportunity I have come across online. For me, CLI is a dream come true! God bless CLI!
Learn 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 Carley Rutkowske, and I am receiving needed Bible training at the Christian Leaders Institute. I live in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, with my husband Jeff and our five kids. From oldest to youngest, there is Dominic(15), Peyton (8), Preston (7), Landon (5), and Avery (20 months). I was, however, born and raised in Michigan just south of Detroit in a city named Lincoln Park.
My great-great-grandma (Ma) raised me. My mom always had medical issues, and for her to have a child was something amazing within itself. I grew up Christian. Ma did her best to make sure God was a part of my life. She had me go to church. Ma did not drive, and I don’t know why. She always pointed me towards a path of God. I went to church and enjoyed learning. At the same time, though, I didn’t see it any different than going to school. I was a bit rebellious. Looking back now, it seems silly.
Knowing God
I believe with my whole heart that this has been a long time coming; however, it wasn’t until now that things have been put into motion. I always felt the need to guide, help, and make a difference. At the same time, I felt as if something was missing. We all go through things, and each situation is different because it is a new experience. My most horrible experience did not bring hate nor blame. Of course, grief and sadness came; I am still sad at times. Instead of questioning God or turning away from God, I turned to him. Can I 100% explain it? No, I had God in my heart; I was just not always listening.
No longer was God just a convenience when I wanted. Now I have an everyday relationship with him. I talk to him, read the Bible, and study it. I ask God for guidance in all things. Sometimes it is not easy. It is not easy to not be stressed at times. It is hard to be patient at other times, not to worry when something does not go according to plan. I can see God’s building blocks for me leading to this moment.
Needed Bible Training at CLI
I want to represent God in all things. For that, even to be possible, I needed Bible training. I need to continue learning. My dream is to be a tool for God, to do all things through him. A judge in Detroit was asked to go up for a Supreme Court Judge. He refused, saying, “I’m already doing God’s work right here.” I want to do God’s work well.
A new door opened with the Christian Leaders Institute. Not just for me but for individuals around the world as well. I have to admit the cost of this education is shocking-in a great way. Thank you to those that donate and make that possible. Without them, it wouldn’t even be an option for me. Of course, it is helpful financially because there will not be debt like there is with traditional institutions. It is also beneficial due to the opportunities it will bring, both within the church and the community. Most importantly, it will prepare me to lead others better than before this training.
I’m excited to be a part of the Christian Leaders Institute. I will work hard and give it my all in the classes I take. I finished my first course and know that great things will come from being part of the Christian Leaders Institute. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.