Youth Ministry Training at CLI
I am Tafara Passmore Sairai, and I am receiving youth ministry training for free at CLI. A Zimbabwean national, I currently reside and work in South Africa. I grew up in a Christian home in the small town of Chinhoyi. As a young boy, I remember being fascinated by the Biblical stories of, among others, Moses, David, Joshua, Gideon, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. What made it more fascinating to me was the colorful illustration that accompanied the storybooks as my sisters would read the stories. I couldn’t wait for the day I could read them for myself.
Most of those images are still embedded in my memory. I wanted so much to be like David and Joshua. Those memories are why one of my ministry goals is to find those colorfully illustrated Biblical storybooks and put them into as many young hands as I can.
Addiction and Freedom in Christ
The troubled years came when, as a teenager, I had to go to boarding school for my A levels. Away from parental and societal control, I became rebellious and spiraled out of control. Alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana took over every part of my life.
Therefore, it was a struggle to get rid of the associated addictions. It took all of 20 years! It is by the grace of God that I am free of these addictions. I tried countless times on my own, but I would relapse after a few weeks of trying. I thank God every day for breaking the yoke of addiction in just a moment. That moment happened when my brothers invited me to attend a revival crusade. There, I surrendered it all to Jesus, and I was set free.
Youth Ministry Training at CLI
Another of my ministry goals is to pioneer programs that will keep teenagers and adolescents interested in church activities. Then, that will keep them from seeking entertainment elsewhere. I am here at the Christian Leaders Institute to get the necessary youth ministry training to enable me to confidently and competently shepherd young people. Also, hopefully, I can connect with other like-minded leaders.
Learn about minister ordination options with the Christian Leaders Alliance.
Free Online Ministry School
My name is Makenzie, but I go by different nicknames, Kenzie, Ken, Mac, and so on! I am excited about the Christian Leaders Institute, a free online ministry school. I come from a family of five: Mom, Dad, my older sister, my younger sister, and myself, the middle child! My poor Dad surrounded by so much ‘woman-stuff’ with all of us girls! I was born and raised in Canada and have lived here all my life.
My Weak Foundation
I was born and raised in a Christian home. I’ve lived a lifestyle trained to understand church, prayer, serving, and reading the Word. I have a theory that those individuals who grew up in a Christian home have a much harder time learning how to find their faith and a real awakening through the power of Jesus’s love. As I matured through life, I only understood the schedule and the feeling of regulation with living a Christian life. However, this regulation did not form a firm foundation for me in my faith walk.
I took my weak foundation with me through lots of significant steps in life. Eventually, the only foundation I had slowly started to chip away. High school and college went by with little personal relationship with God. I still believed myself to be a Christian. Many people questioned me about my beliefs. I proclaimed my faith when asked but did not live it in my everyday personal life. It took the death of a dearly loved family member to crumble my foundation completely. I continued to go to church and small group, but in my heart, I swam in a pool of confusion and hurt.
Crisis and Building a Firm Foundation
I ended up taking my broken foundation into an unhealthy relationship that was on its way to marriage. From the venue to the wedding dress, slowly, the event planning came together, but the loud painful voice deep inside me was surfacing. I was disappointed with where I was at, who I was with, and who I was. But, the Lord intervened and opened both our eyes. We canceled the big day and said goodbye to each other.
After that, my walk with the Lord through healing and foundation building began. God so passionately pursued me, and I pursued Him during that time. I am more than happy to say that I found Godly love, my true identity, the relationship I have with the Lord, and the calling that He has placed on my life.
Finding a Free Online Ministry School
So, this all brings me to now, where I am happily involved in my home church as a Worship Leader, Youth Ministry Supervisor, and the training Band Director. My church and its pastors have been supporting and mentoring me in my journey to discover career ministry. This journey has taken me to different places and training, such as here, at Christian Leaders Institute, a free online ministry school!
I am also happy to say that I am in a serious relationship that is on its way to marriage. We look forward to the Lord’s leading in this beautiful partnership of marriage.
My calling is to serve the youth of this generation. My story started with not having an understanding of my true identity during my youth. I realize now that everything starts with learning our true identity in Christ and building a firm foundation on Him. The Christian Leaders Institute has been a blessing in coming alongside me to support my dream. As someone who can not afford or manage the time commitment of full-time school, studying with the Christian Leaders Institute has been a real answer to prayer. I thank God for this platform.
My Life Verse
So, I close with my favorite and ‘life’ verse:
Psalms 37: 3-4
“Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pastures. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. ”
Learn about ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance.
Free Ministry Leadership Training at CLI
Hello, my name is Marc DeGroot, and I am thankful for the free ministry leadership training at CLI. I am from the United States Of America. About a year ago, I began to feel as though I was being led into ministry as a Chaplain. I did a lot of praying and meditation on what is the best direction for me. I looked at options that would fit into my life. As a husband and father of four, I didn’t have a lot of extra time or money.
As I began my journey at Christian Leaders Institute, my calling became more and more apparent. I also started helping in my church’s youth group program again. I enjoy the time that I get to have with the high school youth. Continuing to work towards becoming a Chaplain, I am also taking steps to get something in youth ministry.
I lost my job a few months ago. That was not an easy thing for me, but I have taken the chance to learn and increase the time that I have to take classes. I know that the Lord will give me another job. As for now, though, the Lord has blessed me, and I am making the most of the situation.
Free Ministry Leadership Training Course at Christian Leaders Institute
The ministry leadership class at CLI will help me as our youth program continues to grow. I didn’t even realize that I lacked so much in leadership. The course has shown me how to be a better leader, one with a vision and confidence. Therefore, I now have the focus that is needed to move the youth program to the next level. As I continue to work and on my leadership skills, it will help out when I become a Chaplain and collaborate with fellow employees.
The biggest challenge that I am facing right now in ministry is the lack of leadership in our youth program. Currently, the person in charge is not much of a leader and has no focus or vision. They do not wish to grow any further and have plateaued. I offered my help and, to date, have not been able to do so. The hardest part is seeing that there is a problem yet not being able to help make the necessary changes. Hopefully, we can make some changes soon and make the entire group better. I am doing my best to remain humble and not seem like I am taking over.
I am thankful for all that I have learned in this leadership class. My prayer is that I can recall and use what I have learned to create a vision and work to see it through to completion. I know that God can always send me in a new direction. However, with what I have learned so far, I can move forward and have an impact on bringing more people to Jesus Christ. I also pray that I inspire the people around me to learn and grow more every day.
Learn about ordination opportunities with the Christian Leaders Alliance.