Free Education Opportunity
My name is Jonathan Edwardson, and I am thankful for the free education opportunity at CLI. I am from Meridian, Idaho, USA. I am the father of two young boys and a husband to my wonderful wife, Charity.
My Early Years
I lived in Kalispell, Montana, where I grew up in a Christian household. When I was 12 years old, I clearly remember writing my first sermon. I had just seen the 90s film, Independence Day. So, I thought that it would be an excellent way to use a current popular film to connect with a congregation. My mother likely still has it somewhere, but I don’t imagine it is quite as terrific as my memory.
I moved to Kalispell when I was in 5th grade. Formerly from Seattle, Washington, I was excited to live closer to the family that I often visited on holidays. Shortly after, I realized that this meant I would not see my close friends any longer. However, I got involved with youth groups at our church which helped. Then, I got my first job and made it my mission to be the best of the best.
Struggles
An opportunity to go back home to visit Seattle came about. I was excited to visit friends. However, I was devastated to find out that my best friend, Shane, had died. My life shattered. I started to struggle at school, genuinely. My mother pulled me out of public school, and I enrolled in a Christian school. I continued to struggle with school. I was angry at the world, but I did not want to talk about it. My mother homeschooled me for a time until, ultimately, I dropped out of all school and focused on my job.
Marriage and Family
Years into my job, I met Charity. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to marry her. After being friends for a couple of years, we dated. Fast-forward 15 years later, and we are married and happy with two kids. I received my GED, went back to school, and received my Bachelors Degree in Communication.
My wife and I have two young boys who are both on the Autism Spectrum. This reality, more than anything, has shown me the need for Christ in my life. In Christ, I can be a better husband and father, an example to my family, and help others come to know Christ.
Search for Ministry Schooling and the Free Education Opportunity at CLI
Christian Leaders Institute is an answer to my search for ministry training. Financially, I already am in so much debt from student loans. With CLI, I can become better educated in my faith while not furthering my financial burden. Thank you, CLI, for this free education opportunity!
Interested in credible ordination? Check out the Christian Leaders Alliance. Looking for a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Christian Ministry Training for Free at CLI
Hello everyone, my name is Lisa Orin, and I am receiving Christian ministry training for free at CLI. I am 50 years old and live in a small town named East Liverpool, Ohio, in the USA. I have three grown adult children ages 27, 25, and 23. In my home, I have a female pitbull named Raven. I have five kitties: Cleo, Spooky, Sadie, Gracie, and Gypsy.
I separated from my husband in 2014; however, financial reasons have kept me from paying for a divorce. So, it is still something in progress. I am a Home Health Aide, but recently took a leave of absence due to some spinal issues for which I am seeking medical attention.
I grew up Catholic. A friend of mine down the street from my family asked me to go to his Pentecostal Church. I have claimed that as my faith since. I have wandered from Jesus many times in my youth. However, He has left “the 99” many times for me.
Struggles
In 2015, I dated a man that eventually ended up in jail. On March 11, 2016, he asked me to bring him pain pills (Percocet) and a few joints (marijuana) to a corrections officer. I was to meet that officer in the parking lot with those items inside a Burger King bag with their food order. I did it, and they caught me. Nine months in the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) in Marysville, Ohio, for the conveyance of drugs into a corrections facility was my sentence. At that time, I was also a horrible drug addict and alcohol abuser.
My sentencing date was January 23, 2017. They arrested me and took me directly to our county jail. On February 3, 2017 (my 47th birthday), I was then shipped out to prison in Marysville. A few months later, I learned that since my crime was only a level one, I was eligible to be transported to Cleveland to the North East Reintegration Center (NERC) in Cleveland, Ohio. I moved from the evilest place that I had ever been with a population of over 3,000 (levels one through five) to a level one facility with a population of around 500.
Time for a Change in Christ
I applied to be in a faith-based unit and received acceptance. I felt I needed to get right with Jesus as soon as I hit those prison gates in February. So, I took classes of healing. We often prayed in our unit and had many courses available. However, I knew something was missing – my Recovery. With four months left of my sentence, I applied for the recovery unit, and they accepted me with open arms.
I completed Celebrating Recovery, which was faith-based. Then, I took another course that was six weeks long and struck me. I had made excuses for my addictions for 30 years. My release date was October 2, 2017. On January 27, 2018, I lost my father. Although I continued to keep my faith and stayed true to my Recovery, I slipped into a deep depression filled with anxiety and isolated myself.
In June of 2019, after many failed relationships, I decided to stop dating and took a vow of celibacy to focus on my relationship with Jesus. The Bible, God’s Word, rescued me from depression, anxiety, sadness, and anger. I have spent every day since in His Word reading, doing devotions, and learning how to pray. I attended church regularly, served during outreaches, and was a leader in the church.
A New Church and My Calling
Then, a local church, Hope Christian Fellowship, opened The Freedom Home, a free, voluntary, six months faith-based, inpatient recovery program for women. I prayed for the Lord to reveal what my purpose is. He did! It is to that church and The Freedom Home to help those women. I meet with them often and have developed a great relationship with those girls.
I wanted to become a staff member there. The home is very structured, and we do hold chapel there once a week, along with church and worship days. My time has been mostly volunteer with the ladies up to this past week. The administrator and the pastor asked me to start training for a position to work in the home. We have two wonderful ladies at the house that are doing very well in their walk with Jesus. I am doing a Bible study “How to Hear from God” by Joyce Myers with the girls at the Freedom Home. I want to continue to work with these ladies and, in other areas reaching out to addicts.
Christian Ministry Training for Free at CLI
However, I want to do it with as much God-given knowledge as possible. That is where my journey begins and why I joined the Christian Leaders Institute. Due to some physical limitations and a leave of absence, I am easing back into work again. Therefore, I have little income. I was so excited to see that CLI has legitimate, free courses in Christian ministry training. I want to reach as many addicts suffering like I once did and bring them to Jesus. So, I need to be ready and prepared for that battle.
I am so thankful for CLI at this time. I am just now easing back into work after my physical issues the enemy used to hinder my calling. My income is minimal at this time, and I cannot wait to be able to donate funds to help others like me one day soon, because I know my Jesus will cover me. Please keep the ladies and me in your prayers!
Please pray for me as I continue this journey as a servant of Jesus. I celebrated three years of sobriety on January 23, 2020. My pastors, Don and Josh Lytle, are my mentors. By the grace of God, I’ve been made new. “For you are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14. Peace and love to all!
I’m looking forward to watching God move mountains in my life. Peace and love to all!
Learn about college degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School. Interested in ordination? Check out the Christian Leaders Alliance.
Ministry School for Free at Christian Leaders Institute
My name is James Smith, and I’m taking ministry school for free online at CLI. I live in Sweetwater, Texas, in the USA. We are known for windmill farms and rattlesnakes. I have a wonderful wife and three beautiful daughters who never cease to amaze me.
Early Years
I received my calling to the ministry at a young age. We went to church after my parents lost their third child, my baby sister. We got involved in the church. At the age of ten, I attended my first Kid’s Camp in Buffalo Gap, Texas. I remember that year because it was when I gave my heart to the Lord. It changed my life.
The call to ministry came one summer at camp, where I was filled with a fire to reach those in a dark world. Then, they could feel the light I was experiencing. As a teenager, I went to church, but I was running from the call of God. I wanted to taste the world. The things around me enticed me, and like the prodigal, I wanted to try it out. Throughout High School, I was hot and cold about going to church and not serving God wholeheartedly. I straddled the fence.
Struggles
I went to college fully intending to become a nurse and make money. However, I got into the party scene and lost myself to drugs and alcohol. Although I attended church, my heart was not in it. I finally hit bottom. Then, God got ahold of me. He showed me that the path I was on would lead me to death. During a revival service one night, I sat in the back row where I could slip out. God cornered me, and I could not get out of my seat. I sat there, crying for almost three hours, rededicating myself to Him. God renewed the fire in my heart that I dimmed.
My first wife and I married. Then, I decided to attend Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. I graduated from CFNI in 1998. We began working at a church as the children’s ministers. After about two years of working in the church and six years of a tumultuous marriage relationship, our marriage ended in divorce. After my divorce, I distanced myself from God and anything to do with Him. I felt hurt and abandoned. Unsure if I was worthy of His forgiveness and the call, I hid.
New Direction
I returned to becoming a nurse so that I could offer something to people. Perhaps I would do medical missions and work in the background. I met my current wife while working at a hospital in the Dallas area, and we became good friends. She pushed me back toward God by taking me to church even when I resisted. I yearned for an opportunity to reach out, and the church we allowed us to work with the kids.
I continued to go to school to get into nursing school. However, it never seemed to work out. Finally, to position myself to become a nurse, I attended Paramedic school. I graduated from Paramedic school in March of 2008. In February, my mother contacted me to let me know that the fire department in our home town was testing for positions. After talking with my wife, who wanted to move closer to my family, I decided to take the test.
The Sweetwater Fire Department hired me on May 20, 2008. It began my career and helped me find my place. After about seven years, I was sent to the police academy and got appointed as the Fire Marshal for the city. I also was appointed as the Chaplain for the fire and police department.
My Return to Ministry and Ministry School for Free at CLI
Upon moving to Sweetwater, I was hesitant to get into ministry due to my past. Divorce never looks suitable for a ministry. So, I felt I was disqualified. My pastor in the church I attend was my pastor when I was a child. He watched me grow through the ups and downs. One day, he asked me if I would be willing to take over the youth ministry at the church. Now, I have been the youth pastor for almost 12 years. I also work as an associate and fill in for the pastors when they are away.
I am thankful that God took me, a broken and depressed Christian, and raised me up to work for Him. He continues to use me over and over again. Recently, He opened the door for me to study at the Christian Leaders Institute. Ministry School for free is perfect for me in my situation. Thank you, CLI!
I love God with all of my heart, and I will do the work He puts in front of me wherever that may take me.
Learn about ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance.