Ministry Calling Free Bible Training
Hello, My name is Anadelia Yamilex Jerez, and I finally found my passion. My family is from the Dominican Republic but I was born in New York. Growing up I felt like the ugly duckling of the family. Everyone would bully me and call me names. Also, nobody was nice to me. My mom was always working and was never really there for me. We were always moving around to different cities/states.
Materialistic Left a Void
Nice houses and materialistic things still left me with this void. All I yearned for was my mother’s love and time. I had to learn things on my own and act as a mother to my younger siblings. My dad got deported back to the Dominican Republic when I was young, he was never in my life. My grandma would always go to church and take me with her when I was a little girl. But my grandma and my family were the types of people they preach against in a church. They were corrupted people who only cared about the money and were always cursing. As I grew, I grew confused, with a lot of anger and always thought negative. At the same time, I grew strong and brave and I was very smart.
New Dreams
I remember growing up my dream was to be a lawyer if anybody would ask me, that was what I wanted to be. In conclusion, I wanted to help keep people out of jail because people were always getting into trouble in my family. My older brother until this day keeps going in and out of jail. As I completed my first year of college I realized that is who I do not want to be. I didn’t feel passionate or saw myself being a lawyer anymore. After finishing that school year off I didn’t go back to school. By then I was 19 with no sense of direction of what I wanted to do with my life. I always had many jobs but I would always leave them because I didn’t like working for other people. I always wanted to be my own boss.
Running from God
In July, the summer of 2017 was when I started to run away from God, instead of running towards him. I met my soulmate that year. When we met we were both lost and so far away from the Lord. In August he got shot, the bullet went in through his back and came out through his chest. As you can see he wasn’t supposed to be alive but the Lord works in mysterious ways. After that, we tried to get closer to the lord. We would go to church every Sunday and I even got my first Bible and that made me feel closer to the Lord. For the first time in my life I was genuinely happy.
Two years pass by and my life goes downhill again. We lost our Apartment and in the midst of it all I find out I’m pregnant. We moved in with my aunt. My relationship takes a turn for the worst. We still decide to work through it. I was having a boy plus we named him Adonis. We decided to move to California with my mom. Two months later I find a job and after three months I ended up leaving my job. My relationship with the people around me got worse because I was angry all the time. I started spending money until I didn’t have any. Therefore, I was broke, angry and miserable. The major problem this time was that I only looked for the Lord when I was down. Never said, “Hey Father Thank You for everything you have done for me.” As for that major reason, I believe now the Lord kept me down time after time, so I can remember to always praise him high up.
New Awakenings Begin
In essence, nobody taught me the right way of loving the Lord. Nobody sat me down and told me to read the bible. Nobody told me that the power of the Lord is amazing and what he can do for us, nobody else can. I knew there was a God but I didn’t know anything about my father.
The moment I analyzed my life and realized I didn’t want to live like that anymore, things started to change. I desired to do the right thing and to find the Lord. I longed for the Holy Spirit. I wanted to find my passion. However, I was good at many things yet nothing fulfilled me. To help people is all I ever wanted to do. I vowed to become a better me, a new mind I thought. As a result, I started listening to motivational videos. I decided I was going to read the bible from start to finish.
Called to Serve
People were always drawn to me throughout my life. Back then I was clueless but now I saw clearly. They were always seeking for help. My gift is to help. I can help others through the Lord. God is my only escape. He is my father. Every time I speak about the Lord my heart races with excitement. I feel a fire in me I just want to tell everyone about the Lord and what he can do for us. I found my passion. My only mission in life is to serve the Lord. To become a deacon to help others. Additionally, I yearned to learn more but I didn’t have the funds. Initially, this led me to Christian Leaders Institute. What I’ve learned here taught me things nobody has ever taught me. Peace is within me since I have embarked on this new journey. I’m going after what has always been mine.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Children’s and Women’s Ministry Journey
My name is April Van Buul, from Alberta, Canada. My husband, Jonathan, and I have seven amazing children and two grandchildren. The oldest of four siblings, I was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. I have known my children’s and women’s ministry calling for a long time.
Currently, I teach children’s Sunday group at the local church as well as the children’s Community group every month. I serve the community through food drives and clothing drives/sales. Also, I work with local families for the Homeschool gathering and swap as well. I desire to guide the new generation to the Lord. Maintaining the Lambs that are already there, I hope to encourage those that are stumbling. I am working on becoming an officiant here for weddings and funerals and looking at working with the local senior’s homes and hospitals as well.
Early Struggles
Time and time again, my calling was pushed aside as I thought I was not worthy. That was wrong and based on false guilt. My childhood was broken and full of trials. The Lord called me since childhood at six. Through the years, I have been through temptations, sickness, and challenges.
I received Christ in 2011 and sought to follow God’s path since then. Though the trials have held me back, I have not turned away. Instead, the tests made me try to follow where the Lord leads me.
Nothing came easy in a broken home. My parents divorced when I was two. I was abused, misunderstood, and in foster care by age 11. I have suffered from PTSD and Depression. From ages 16-24, I struggled. I had two children too young. Single and alone, frightened, injured from an accident, and desperate to provide for my children.
College
Later, I picked myself up and went to college. Global INC trained me for Travel and Tourism. Knowing what I was taking was not what I wanted, I was unsure as to what exactly I was searching for or how to get there. I continued to struggle with my health. The Lord said, “Come.” I worked hard and studied both my main classes as well as the Bible on my own. The Bible brought me closer to God and Christ, more and more.
Marriage and Family Health Challenges
Then, I met my husband and settled down. He is a believer also and just the support I needed. We had a family. I started to prepare to study for the ministry. When our daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Cancer and OMAS (an immune disease) in 2011, I was brought up close and personal with a trial no person wants. Again, my studies were on hold. Her care was the priority, and she started to heal. The calling came back. Then my husband was the one in hospital.
Again, trials and delays followed the calling. Yet the Lord held our hands through it all. Carried us during the worst and taught me so much more. Again, sickness. This time me. I had a parasite due to contaminated water. I was thought not to have much time, and still, the Lord held our hands. He has more excellent plans for me.
Now, today, gratitude is unwavering. Our daughter is still with us as well as Jon and me, bringing me closer to Christ as ever. Then last year, our youngest child was diagnosed with a hole in her heart. She is on the waiting list for open-heart surgery. I hope it happens in the spring. Last month, our second-youngest was diagnosed with Absence Seizures.
Children’s and Women’s Ministry Study at CLI
My marriage is difficult more due to differences in upbringing than anything. My husband is an old fashioned man that loves me for my love of the Lord but does not believe in a female minister. This issue is still a thorn for us. We are working towards an understanding. May this be accomplished through patience and teaching by the Lord. So far, he has agreed to support me in ministry training.
Today, the need will no longer be ignored. So here I am at your door, Christian Leaders Institute. Thank the Lord and you for opening it. I know that these trials are only to make me who I am today. Strong and mighty in the Lord, with empathy and understanding for others. May the Lord guide me to use what I have learned and will learn to work well for the Name and Word of the Lord.
My Scripture Verses and My Goal
Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Revelations 21: 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
My goal is to become an Ordained Minister, focusing on Children’s and Women’s ministry. From there, well, the Lord knows. Bless you, all.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leader Alliance.
Free Ministry Education Online
My name is Jon Christian Porter, and I am from the U.S.A. I am blessed to receive free ministry education online at CLI. “I will arise and go to my father and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.'” Luke 15:18 (NKJV).
THE EARLY YEARS
Childhood was not easy for me. Breathing was often difficult due to severe asthma bouts. I am thankful for my mother’s care for me. When we moved from Maryland to Northern California, I began to heal. I grew up in the beautiful Napa Valley and attended the Napa Presbyterian Church.
As I recall, no one ever asked me if I had a relationship with the Lord. My dad was an Elder in the church. He was a fine man, but somehow, I didn’t seriously learn about the Lord until my college days.
I did not know the Lord, but He knew me! I know that now. God protected me from death several times as a child and as a young adult. Jesus had and continues to have a plan for my life. It was a destiny that I could not escape – like Jonah. A stubborn, defiant, capable young man, I could order my own life, follow my plans, create my destiny.
I was far more interested in playing sports than listening to my professors in college until I was knocked unconscious during an intramural sports event that ended my sports career from athlete to an uncoordinated bystander in a moment. After three days unconscious, I began to awaken, but to a new reality — no more sports. I did not know it then, but I certainly know it now – the Lord had other plans for me. The concussion was a blessing that forced me to reconsider the purposes of my life.
DISCOVERING THE LORD IN HIS CREATION
From that point on, which was during the second year of college, I began to take my studies seriously. Surprisingly, and an unintended (by the professors) consequence of my studies in chemistry, cellular biology, and related topics, I became aware of the excellent miraculous organization of life! The curriculum focused on evolutionary theory, which was ridiculous.
I began to search for answers, and slowly ploddingly found the Lord. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” Romans 1:20 (NKJV).
My passage from nonbeliever to believer was slow. It was not until I was in my 40s that I started to study His Word seriously. I have asked this question that I now ask you, “What if the Bible is true? What would that look like?” And so, my quest has been to clarify the walk that a believer must take.
My Journey With God and to Free Ministry Education Online at CLI
Even today, at 72 years of age, my walk with Him is just beginning. Thankfully, God led me to Christian Leaders Institute for free ministry education online. Which works well since the Lord has also graciously placed me on a remote island in the Philippines. I teach ukulele with Christian music, prayer, and testimony through churches of various denominations. My dear wife Janice is in the USA, having recovered miraculously from very advanced stage 4 lymphoma. That fantastic story I leave for her to tell.
If I could give but one thought of advice to Christians, it would be, “It’s not over till it’s over!” As Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV). May we do everything we can to run the race to the end of our mortal lives – until the moment He calls us home. God bless you all!
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.