Eric Thomas is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Divinity degree program at CLI’s Leadership Excellence School. Eric’s story shows us that it is never too late to pursue God’s plan for your life. Although he had previously given up hope of continuing his education, Christian Leaders Institute provided him with an opportunity he did not know was possible.
College Out of the Question
As I’m nearing the end of my classes for my Bachelor of Divinity Degree, I give thanks to God and to Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) for making this possible. I’ll be fifty-five years old in a few months, and had given up hope of continuing my education.
When I graduated high school, I knew I wasn’t going to college. I always had passing grades, but I never really applied myself to my studies. I was raised in a single parent home so financially, college was out of the question. A few years later, I got married and began to raise a family. I’ve had well-paying jobs because of some vocational training and a few college courses, but I was never able to advance in the company because of my lack of education.
Appreciation for CLI
At this point in my life, a middle-aged grandfather turning gray, I’m serious about living for God, my education, and becoming a ministry leader. I’m so excited about finally receiving an Associate and Bachelor’s degree. I would love to pursue a Master’s Degree, but whether I do or not, I will be continuing to take classes here at CLI. Again, I want to reiterate how much I appreciate Christian Leaders Institute. None of this would have been possible without this school. Not only has it given me an education, but it has also given me self-confidence – both in my present vocation and to lead a ministry.
Never Too Late
The education I’m receiving has not only impacted my life, but my family, friends, and coworkers as well. I’m a perfect example that it’s never too late to pursue an education or to change your lifestyle and live for Christ! I want to be a mentor and role model for everyone around me. This is all part of God’s plan for my life! If I started a ministry without training, I wouldn’t be successful. My wife and I have started a non-profit ministry for the poor and the elderly. Without my education, I wouldn’t have as much of an impact for Christ. I know I still have a lot to learn, but as I continue to study God’s Word and take courses at CLI, I can make an impact. I have a lot of time and missed opportunities to make up for.
While Eric acknowledges that he has time and opportunities to make up for going forward, this realization re-emphasizes that it is never too late to live into God’s plan for his life.
Appreciation for Creation
One of my favorite classes was Astronomy. I love studying the planets and the galaxies. How can anyone say there is no God or that God is not in control? Every day the sun rises and sets, and at night, the moon and the stars shine their lights. Astronomy is the study of God’s beautiful glory, and it reminds us of the creation story in Genesis. Every year my family and I go to Florida for vacation. I’ve seen the beautiful sunrises on the east coast and the beautiful sunsets on the west coast. Those would not be possible without God’s total control of His creation. I view all of God’s creation as an act of love. He loves us so much that he gave us all of this beauty to enjoy and to study. The older I get, the more I love and appreciate creation.
Eric’s growing love for creation shows us that is never too late to notice new blessings in the world around us.
Learning to Lead
The Leadership class was the most challenging for me because it’s hard for me to recognize what leadership qualities I possess. I’ve never considered myself a leader, however, I have to break out of the “I can’t do this!” mold. I need to tell myself that with God’s help and my education, I can be a great leader. Like Moses, I am not a good public speaker and I get nervous in social situations. This is a fear that has plagued me for most of my adult life, and it seems to be getting worse the older I become. I’ve prayed for this fear to be replaced with the love of public speaking, and to be able to share God’s love in a group setting. I don’t believe God’s plan for my life is to become a pastor of a church. However, I do believe He wants me to become a ministry leader and to share His love and compassion for the lost to the best of my ability.
Ministry is Everywhere
In the past, I always thought of a ministry as a brick and mortar church with a pastor and a congregation. I’ve come to recognize that a ministry can be anywhere, any place and anytime. I can be a minister, a mentor, or role model to my family, coworkers, or a stranger on the street. There are ministry opportunities everywhere! There’s no shortage of people that need to be ministered to in this evil world we live in. They just need someone to tell them about the love of Christ. As Christians, it’s necessary to show God’s love wherever we are: at work, at a restaurant, or even walking down the street. Not only do I want to be a ‘Vocal Witness’ but I want to be a ‘Physical Witness’ as well – a witness to God’s love and compassion through my actions.
God’s Plan
As mentioned earlier, my wife and I have started a ministry for the poor, the elderly, or anyone who needs financial assistance in our community. Although I don’t plan on becoming a pastor of a church, I plan to use what I’ve learned in my CLI courses to help me become a godly leader for our ministry. As my wife and I start our ministry journey together, please pray for us. Pray that I can become the leader God wants me to be, and that lives will be touched through our ministry. Please also pray that God will strengthen our walk.
Growing up as the son of a pastor, Austin Triplett admits that while he knew the Gospel, he did not always fully understand what Christ had done for him. However, as a recent graduate of the Associate’s of Divinity Degree program at CLI’s Leadership Excellence School, Austin has developed a deeper understanding of the God who loves him beyond compare. This portion of his story tells of the life-changing learning opportunity that Christian Leaders Institute provided him with, as well as the faith lessons he has learned along the way.
Call to Ministry
In 2018, I felt a strong call from God to pursue pastoral ministry. Upon receiving this call, I felt a variety of emotions: joy, excitement, and a sense of purpose – but also, fear of complete inadequacy. How could I expect to pastor people if I didn’t have a college degree? How could I expect to lead when I still have so much to learn? Through prayer and the council of my wife, it became clear that I needed to pursue a theological education. Upon making this decision came the question of cost: can I even afford a degree? My search for a reasonably-priced, online, theological education began. At first my search seemed hopeless, until one day I stumbled upon Christian Leader’s Institute. Could this be the place I find the training needed to pursue the call I believe that God has placed on my life? My wife and I prayerfully decided that this was the right path to take. In December of 2018, I began my journey towards an Associates of Divinity Degree with Christian Leader’s College.
Life-Changing Learning Opportunity
The beginning stages of my degree program were filled with excitement and intrigue as I engaged in training to pursue God’s call on my life. I became captivated by the work of God when going through Dr. Ted Hildebrandt’s Old Testament Literature and Theology class. Also, I grew to appreciate the larger body of Christ when going through Church History with Dr. Feddes. My eyes were opened to so many new possibilities for the expansion of the church in the Marketing Applied – Church Planting class. I felt as if theological education was something I was always missing in my life. Christian Leaders Institute was truly a life-changing learning opportunity for me. I fell in love with school, and the more I loved it, the more I learned. I couldn’t get enough information and I craved growth.
Love for the Lord
I found that the more I learned, the more I loved God. The more I learned, the more I wanted to keep learning. The more I learned, the more I wanted to become a pastor: to pursue God’s call. The world became an inexhaustible well of knowledge that I could drink from daily. All of this kindled a love for God that I never thought possible: a humility that I had always dreamed of, but never was able to attain. God used this life-changing learning opportunity to help me understand His glory. The more I learned, the more I continued to ask: “Oh Lord, what is man that you are mindful of Him?” (Psalm 8). I will always have more to learn, yet He knows all. I will always keep growing, yet he remains the same. Though I continue to change, He is without change. Though I might fail a quiz, He never fails. CLI’s Leadership Excellence School helped me to experience God in new ways every day.
Struggling to Succeed
However, feelings come and go. In July of 2019, I had just begun my Economics class and my schedule seemed to allow no time for school. I was busy preparing to move from India back home to El Paso, Texas, and school seemed less interesting to me. I began to struggle to keep up my pace with school and in struggling to keep up, my love for education seemed to dwindle. After weeks of attempting to work through the assignments for the first economics section, I felt ready to take the quiz. Immediately after seeing the first question, I knew I wasn’t prepared, but I stubbornly continued on. I anxiously submitted my answers to the quiz and prepared myself for the results. I failed the first quiz in economics and received the first failing grade of my college career. Feelings of anger, frustration, and a lack of motivation to continue my degree program consumed me.
Overcoming Obstacles
For about a week, I couldn’t even think about doing school. Everything was so busy, so where would I find the time? I met with my mentor at the end of that week and he challenged me to work harder at my next quiz. With his encouragement and a fresh wind of motivation, I dove into the second section of economics. Within a week I felt ready to take the next quiz. This time I had been diligent in my note-taking, and I was much more confident. I submitted my answers to the quiz, and with a sigh of relief I saw my grade: 19 out of 20 questions correct! Economics was by far the most difficult course for me, specifically because of the season of life I was in. However, with encouragement from my mentor and a more intentional approach to my education, I was able to finish the class with an A minus.
Looking Ahead
In every class, I have been so thankful for CLI’s work to apply knowledge to a ministry context. In reflection, I am so grateful for my time at Christian Leader’s Institute, and I look forward to continuing to learn through the Bachelor’s Degree program here. I am grateful for this life-changing learning opportunity and believe that the more I learn, the better pastor I will be. Also, I believe that the work Christian Leader’s Institute is doing to make education affordable and accessible for ministry leaders around the world is something that will transform the church. I look forward to seeing what the Lord continues to do in and through me as I continue my education with CLI!
Seminary School Training at CLI for Free
My name is Kristina Richards, and I am receiving seminary school training at the Christian Leaders Institute. When I was a child, my great-grandma used to read the Bible, pray continually, and was singing praises all of the time. My mom and dad always said that the Bible was true, but they never went to church.
Early Life Struggles
When I was 13, I went to a local church that several of my friends were attending. Not long after I started attending, the youth pastor took advantage of me. I spent the next three years being sexually and physically abused by him. When he finally got arrested, I turned away from God.
I got married and had my first child by the time I was 17. My husband was abusive, as well. I decided to end my life by overdosing on drugs. That didn’t work, but I did get addicted. When I was 19, I was arrested for possession. A year later, in 2005, I turned myself in to my probation officer. She sent me to jail, transferred me to treatment, and then let me come home on house arrest. I found God in jail, and it changed my whole life.
God
Since then, I finished probation early. Then, I completed four years of college for elementary education and then found out that my arrest prevents me from teaching. God had another plan. I then spent a year in a seminary school. I have a lot of health problems, so I am unable to work.
God has used all of this to have me start a Celebrate Recovery group. I teach the kids on Tuesday nights at church. God has also empowered me to homeschool my second child and to co-teach a class at our local homeschool co-op.
Currently, I am taking classes at the Christian Leaders Institute. I am seeking ordination with CLA and learning as much as I can at CLI. My spiritual dream is to become a minister of a church. I will follow wherever the Lord leads me because He knows my purpose.
The free training at CLI is crucial because I was unable to finish seminary school. I ran out of money. I would not be able to complete my schooling if it was for CLI and its free seminary school training.
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.