My name is Barbara Carr, and I study free Bible training at CLI. I live in the United States. I’m a child of God, a wife, and a mother. I also am a business owner, a friend, a leader, and much more. For a long time, I’ve had a hard time seeing the potential that God put inside of me. Most people around me could see it easily, some even saying things like, “You have The Lord’s favor.” I didn’t know what that meant at that time, but as I’ve continued on my walk with God, I’m starting to see it and feel it. I’m learning to appreciate and embrace the gifts God has given me. As someone with influence in my community as well as the online community, I see that God is calling me to use the position he has placed me in to bring more people to Him and His kingdom for His glory.
Learning to Trust God
I’ve struggled many times over the years with my spirituality, sometimes wondering if God did exist. Other times, I asked if He exists, why does He want me. I couldn’t see anything special about myself and didn’t feel qualified to do what God kept calling me to do. As I continued my walk and stepped out in faith, God showed me that He equips me with all the tools, knowledge, and support that I need for this mission. Everything seems to just fall into place, and I know that is God; there is no other explanation!
Following Where God Leads
Currently, I am fuel-filled with a longing to know Jesus fully and to allow God to use me to expand His kingdom. It’s both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. He has already placed me in positions that I thought I couldn’t accomplish the task, but then I did because He was the one doing it through me, through the Spirit.
It’s a fantastic feeling to have God lead me for His will instead of my own. I have no idea where He is leading me or what my ultimate mission is yet. However, I trust that God has the perfect plan for me and my life. He knows where I’m going. My life was a mess for a long time. However, I’m at a point that I feel completely at peace and abundantly blessed! I praise God in the good times and in bad times.
As I study the free Bible training at Christian Leaders Institute, I am excited about learning more about the Bible and ministry service. I look forward to growing closer to Him every day.
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 Michael W. Furlonger, and the Bible training study opportunity at CLI is a Godsend. Where do I begin with my story? I was the first person in my family to come to faith at age five. Slowly, my family started going to church. My father’s favorite TV program was on Sunday, so it was hard to tear him away from that. But, in time, he also became a regular church attendee.
Miracles
I was hit by a car at age six. It was one of many huge miracles that God has done in my life. The doctors told my parents that I would likely not survive the night, but, as you can see, I did. The next miracle was that they did an X-ray and saw that my neck was broken, which was why I was in a medically induced coma for two weeks. However, when the day of the surgery came, the doctors found my neck unbroken and mended in some way. At least, that’s what my mother says is the cause of the bump on my neck. The real amazement was when the doctor told my mother that it was a miracle done by God!
The next big miracle was when the doctors said that I would never walk or talk again. God likes to show off. Through a lot of work, I did start walking and talking again. I still need to see a physiotherapist from time to time to re-align my hips with my walking. However, God deserves all the glory. And when I hear these “miracle” ministries say, “Going to the hospital is a sign of your lack of faith,” I think, “Going to the hospital is to show doctors what my God can do.” Can I get an amen? Praise the Lord!
Struggles and Triumphs
As my life continued, struggles and all, I fell into depression and sexual sins. This struggle is one of the areas that I want to share about in ministry, as pornography is like a catalyst for depression. Don’t get me wrong. You can have depression without ever watching pornography, but my depression led me into isolation, and pornography was the only “comfort.” What a perversion!
The greatest miracle is that God’s grace sustained me for many years. God’s love and mercy kept me alive and healthy. I gave up those old addictions years ago and wrestled with God for years following to find the grace He has given me on the cross.
Currently, I am in a happy, healthy marriage with my lovely wife, Jennifer.
Recently, I was looking for an online Bible school for preparation for ministry. That is when I found the Christian Leaders Institute. I am thankful for this Bible training study opportunity!
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Learning about Ministry for Free at CLI: Dream Big Dreams
Hi there! I’m Hayli Brewer, and I live in Toccoa, Georgia, with my husband, Allen. I am a firm believer that we are ALL missionaries. Sharing the Gospel, being disciple-makers, and loving people like Jesus would is something that every Christian is to do. Having received my Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry Leadership, I am excited to continue learning more about ministry at CLI and serving the Lord wherever I am — whether I’m working for a local church body or in a small bookstore in a little town in the mountains.
Struggle with Peer Pressure
Growing up in a Christian home, I received baptism at the age of eight alongside my dad. I attended church with my parents and strove to follow Jesus until late middle school. I got tired of being looked at as “the Christian girl,” as all of my friends thought that religion was stupid. Giving in to peer pressure, I started turning my life away from Jesus. I felt lost and tried to find my identity in anything and everything. However, nothing would fill the void in my heart.
Rededicated to Christ
My parents sent me to youth camp during my junior year of high school. Surrounded by my peers and watching them worship brought me to an emotional breaking point. I wanted the confidence and joy that they had! I rededicated my life to Jesus, and my youth pastor encouraged me to meet with someone to help teach me more about following Jesus. He ended up introducing me to a freshman girl who went to my school, and she became (and still is) one of the most influential people in my walk with Jesus.
As I started to follow Jesus again, I was encouraged to dream big dreams, to trust Jesus with my future, and to love people actively. I prayed and prayed, asking God to show me what He had for me. I set aside my plan for His will. Long story short, I felt compelled to go to a Christian college instead of a traditional college. This plan was NOT taken well by the people around me – both Christians and non-Christians.
My family was worried that going to a college to get a degree in “Ministry Leadership” would not lead to many “real” job opportunities. My school counselors told me that I was too smart to waste my time, money, and energy on a “fake school.” Nevertheless, I persisted and attended Toccoa Falls College to pursue a degree in Ministry Leadership. It was at TFC where my identity, love of learning, and yearning for a deeper relationship with God connected.
Growing at College
While I was at TFC, I was able to be a part of and then go on to lead Atlanta Outreach. It was a ministry that went to Little Five Points every Friday night to aid and build relationships with the homeless in that area. Through that program, I was able to interact with people from all different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ideologies. It taught me how to be open-minded, kind, and understanding of people who have experienced life differently than I have. I also learned better how to share the Gospel and the importance of being able to defend what I believe.
At TFC, I also participated in an internship in Chicago. I lived there for three months working for an inner-city church. There, I learned how to plan and execute events effectively, walked alongside leaders as they went through the tragedy of the church burning down, and aided in the student ministry there. It was there that I was able to learn about flexibility, administration, and trial and error.
Employment Opportunities
After I graduated, I eventually started working at a middle school as a Special Education Paraprofessional. As a paraprofessional, I was able to interact with many different students. I learned how to serve and teach each individual. Also, I saw firsthand how many students were affected by food insecurity, homelessness, and other crises.
Currently, I am the Manager at a local bookstore, where I can share the Gospel with people every day. Through these and other experiences, I found a deep burden to continue to serve those that society at large has pushed aside. It is never too late to offer an individual the hope found through Jesus Christ. Therefore, I want to help guide people toward the love of Christ in every encounter I have.
Dream Big Dreams: Called to Serve and Study at CLI
My husband and I are not afraid to dream big dreams. Our long-term goal is to open up a coffee shop and to use it as an avenue to employ people who are transitioning out of homelessness. We want to provide job training and career development. It will be an overall safe space for people to come with their brokenness and be met with compassion, understanding, and respect.
My life will show people that following Jesus is a beautiful adventure. I want to share the life, love, and joy that I have found with those who need it the most and with those who think that they need it the least. To love until it hurts and to fight for justice where there is injustice, and live a life that points away from me and directly to Jesus, is my desire.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to continue learning more about ministry through the 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.