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.
God’s Path to Children’s Ministry Calling
Hello, my name is Ashlee Swartz, from the USA. God has given me a children’s ministry calling. I am the children’s ministry director at Trinity Faith Church in Liberal, Kansas. God has given me a children’s ministry calling. I am a mother of six beautiful children.
My Journey to God’s Path for My Life
The oldest born of three children, I was born in 1986. I grew up in a house that loved God but didn’t know God. Baptized at age 5, it was around 15 that I rededicated my life to Christ when I understood more.
Through my years as a young adult, my love for God was there, but my walk with God struggled. I didn’t understand how to apply God’s word to my daily life. The sudden loss of loved ones tested my faith and love for God. I learned during the grieving process how to love and trust God in ways I never understand before. I’ve faced trials and tests in my life. Through them all, I have learned that trusting God is the only way through them.
My Children’s Ministry Calling
My interest in ministry started because there was a need at my church. They needed a helper for a children’s class on Wednesday evening and a Nursery Director. Then, they also needed a children’s teacher on Wednesday night. All of these were positions that needed filling. What I didn’t realize was all of those positions were preparing me for who God calls me to be.
My call to go deeper into ministry came in June 2018. About eight months before this, our pastor had done an excellent sermon series on finding your purpose. I had been going through some significant trials during this sermon series. I struggled to hear God’s answer when asking about my purpose. Therefore, I got frustrated by the struggle, and more or less gave up on seeking a solution.
God saw me through my trials. I became more trusting in Him than ever before. Sitting in church one morning, I was thinking back to that sermon series. Wondering if I ever really figured my purpose out, God called, and I was ready to hear it.
My Children’s Ministry Calling Led to CLI
God told me my calling was to bring children to Him. Since I’m a mom of six, I do that, and I teach on Wednesday. He said to me, “YOU CAN DO MORE.”I knew then that the children’s ministry calling I’ve had was what God was calling me to do on a bigger scale. So I searched for online ministry training and found the Christian Leaders Institute. I am thankful for this opportunity for free children’s ministry training at CLI!
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Bachelor of Divinity Degree Journey
My name is Tony Hipps, and I am excited to study for my Bachelor of Divinity Degree at CLI and CLI. I live 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Hermitage. Over the years, I have lived in several major cities and have never experienced an epidemic of homeless people on such a large scale as in Nashville, TN.
My goal is to earn a Bachelor of Divinity degree through CLI’s Leadership Excellence School. Then, the staff of the Nashville Mission will open doors to me. Therefore, I will minister and communicate the Gospel effectively to homeless people who stay there.
My call to the ministry call is not new. It’s a call I fell away almost ten years ago. I thank God that the Holy Spirit has continued to woo me ever since.
My Early Years
I was born in East Tennessee and moved to Texas with my father and my siblings after my mother left the family. I was eight years old, and I have been unable to locate her for the last 40 years. My family and I assume she passed away, but there’s no way to be sure.
We grew up poor on the outskirts of Houston, TX. Some years were better than others, and when my father remarried, things seemed to get better. However, we were not churchgoers, there was never a Bible at home, and drinking was a usual way of life. The alcohol caused problems leading to a divorce and a remarriage.
We moved to Woodstock, GA, with our second stepmother in 1986, when the market crashed in Texas. Again, life seemed better, but we still did not understand salvation. We still weren’t churchgoers, but I was interested in the idea.
Army Years
I joined the Army in 1989 and 1991. I went to the base chapel in Germany. The chaplain and I started a friendship, and I accepted Christ as my Savior not long after.
After going to Desert Storm, finishing my tour in Germany, and being transferred to Fort Hood, TX, I strayed from the Lord in 1993. I was arrested three times for drugs. The third time, I lost all my rank. I had the option of a court-martial or an “other than honorable” discharge. I chose the discharge and moved back to Georgia with my father. My father and I were struggling to pay bills, but we always seemed to have enough to keep the house full of alcohol.
My Marriage and Ministry Study and Service
I met my ex-wife in 1998 and had a daughter in 2000. Throughout our ten-year marriage, I quit drinking, began going to church again, and fell back in love with the Lord.
I started taking classes at a Bible College around 2004. The pastor and associate pastor discovered this fact, so they reviewed the school to ensure adequate training. They were impressed with the school, so they encouraged me to start working with the youth after attending for a year. After some time and more preparation, I became the Children & Youth Pastor, Sunday School Coordinator, Wednesday night Preacher, and was put on the pastoral leadership team.
In 2009, my pastor introduced me to a member of the Bartow County Baptist Association. After the meeting, the goal was to find a small church in the area that needed a bi-vocational pastor to transfer me there.
Struggle
All began to go downhill again, as Lisa and I agreed to divorce. After the divorce, I sought counsel from my pastor, who told me that I was no longer qualified to serve in the church.
My hope of pastoring a small church was dashed. Once again, I fell away from the Lord. I quit attending church, quit the Bible college, and quit talking to folks about Jesus. Even though the Spirit never left and continued to draw me, I ignored Him because the pastor of a church was questioning my desire to serve God.
New Direction
Fast forward to 2016, as mentioned, the Spirit never left me. So, here again, I am looking to serve the Lord. Also, my relationship with God has never been stronger. Even though it is a little later in life (knocking on 50), I believe that this is the time the Lord has for my ministry to begin. I’m a little older, a little wiser, and more cautious. However, now the devil can be seen coming from a mile away. I say no to the devil!
God is great! He led me to the Christian Leaders Institute to continue my studies. Thank you, CLI, for this excellent opportunity! Now, I look forward to studying for my Bachelor of Divinity Degree at the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School! God is good!