Training at CLI for My Full-Time Ministry Call
Hi, I am Doug Cremer, and I am receiving free ministry training at CLI for my full-time ministry call. I live in Durban, South Africa. I was born on September 2, 1950, in Zimbabwe and grew up attending both Sunday School and Youth Group. During that time, I never decided to accept Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
Salvation Vision
Then at age 21, while serving in the Army, I was in a fierce firefight. While going to ground to change my weapon magazine, I suddenly experienced a vision. During this time, it was as though a giant movie screen appeared before me. I saw every instance that I attended church and that I had an opportunity to accept Christ, but did not. At the end of the vision, I heard a voice ask plainly, “How do you plead?” I responded, “Guilty!” And the vision ended.
On this day, God became real in my life. I believe that if I responded differently, God would have allowed my life to end then and there. I thank God for His grace and mercy! Not long after that, I was invited to a Sunday evening meeting at a Full Gospel Church in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. After the sermon, I had an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and accepted. A few weeks later, I was baptized in water. Then not long after that, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gave me utterance.
The greatest lesson I think I learned is that God knows what we need, but we must still ask Him. I always thought it was automatic, and when it didn’t happen, I couldn’t understand. Now, I see God working in many ways and places!
Full-Time Ministry Call
Over the years, the Holy Spirit has gifted me with at least two of His nine gifts, as outlined in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. Although I have sought Father God about full-time ministry, somehow, this seems to be what God wanted. However, it did not happen immediately
I labored on the mission fields of Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa in the past, assisting a Canadian missionary organization based in Durban, South Africa. Their mandate was to help orphanages and teach the Bible in these countries. Sadly, this outreach was forced to close due to the lack of financial support. This closure forced me to return to the commercial sector for employment. I continued there until 2015 when I was suddenly retrenched due to my age of 65.
For the past four years, I have been seeking Father God for further purpose and direction. I am where I am supposed to be for the moment, praise God. My spiritual dream is to be part of God’s latter-day outpouring on the Earth. I am to speak His word with boldness and authority.
Free Ministry Training at CLI to Prepare for My Full-Time Ministry Call
I thank God for Christian Leaders Institute. I regret that I was unaware of CLI’s existence until about May of this year (2019). During an internet search for a high school video lesson I was producing, I came upon a webpage that offered ‘Free Classes’ in Christian ministry. I suddenly found myself with this incredible opportunity. I can obtain a recognized qualification without the costs at CLI.
This idea was unbelievable to me. Initially, my thoughts were that this was just another ‘Certificate’ scam. However, many hours later, I can assure any reader that this is not the case. This training is the real deal. So, thank you, CLI. Besides the fact of free Christian education, I love the solid ‘foundation’ that I am getting now. Well done, CLI, this is awesome.
CLI Trained for My Full-Time Ministry Call
One of the first prophetic words I received was to look in the Bible and find the place that God had prepared for me. I traveled to many countries and worked with numerous activities in pursuit of that goal. I wish CLI had been there from the beginning. A lifetime of running around would have been averted.
In closing, I believe the training that I am getting now will set me up to complete God’s purpose and calling for my life. Nothing else matters. God bless CLI for helping to make this possible.
Learn about ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance.
Vision To Spread God’s Love
My name is Jennifer Heidinga, and I have the vision to spread God’s love. I am from Ontario in Canada. I was not brought up in the Christian faith in my home. However, I was brought to Sunday school by my mom as a child and confirmed as a Christian at nine or ten years old. Without the reinforcement of faith at home, after I stopped attending Sunday school in 7th grade, I drifted from my faith.
Search for Inner Peace
I started a search for inner peace wherever I could find it. I could not find what I was looking for in the books I read, searching for the truth. Through Christian friends in my high-school years, I came to a faith in God, not a real understanding, but simple belief. It would take years until I was in university before I came to complete faith in Christ.
At that time, I was experiencing intense spiritual warfare over my salvation. I felt so strongly that something was missing in my life. I accepted Christ at age 19 in hopes of stopping the attacks. It stopped at that moment. I have come to understand that spiritual warfare never really ends; however, it just changes form and tactics over different seasons of life.
Struggle with Depression and My Calling
Throughout my teenage years, I was melancholy without reason, both physically and in my written poetry. Once I got married and had children, however, a depression set in my life. Such a dense fog was there over my mind that I couldn’t think clearly or positively without intense mental effort. Through all of this, God was with me. He held me through the fear of warfare, the uncertainty and deep sadness of depression, and many other trials that I faced.
As I was entering into the period of depression over my life as a mom of young children, I sensed that I had a higher purpose over my life. I started writing, but never got past the first few pages. I started the “Getting Started” class at Christian Leaders Institute. But, my mindset was such that the “I can’t do it” attitude was already overwhelming me. So, I stopped the course with only two quizzes left to complete.
My Restart of Free Ministry Training at CLI
This year in 2019, with my children ages four and eight, I restarted my courses at CLI. During which time, I heard God say to me, “It’s time.” Now is the time to move forward into what He has for my life. It is time to take the dark paths He led me through and use what I learned to help others through their dark place, whatever that may be, to a spot on the other side of their view, where they thought would never see the light of day.
Vision to Spread God’s Love
Through my depression and my life, God has worked in me. He gave me an understanding of His love for me and the beauty He sees in me. God considers this beauty in all of His creation, regardless of who they are or what they have done. God gave me a heart for worship and a burden for hurting people as we all need God’s love. As I move forward towards women’s and worship ministry, wherever this path may take me, I pray that God will use me to touch others the way He has touched me.
I have the vision to spread God’s love to hurting women. My vision is for more women to be able to speak the words that my 4-year-old daughter said to me earlier this week. She said, “I am beautiful. God made me just the way I am, and He knows what I will say before I even say it. He made me beautiful.”
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Free Ministry Study Journey to CLI
My name is Servaas Steenkamp, and the following is my free ministry study journey. My story started when I was at the age of 15 years old. I was very rebellious and filled with a lot of anger and hate. A skateboarder always on the street, I didn’t care about school as I felt it wasted my time. I did not have a good relationship with my mother. So one particular day, I decided to kill my mother. I planned to stab her to death.
God had another plan for me. On this particular day, the youth pastor of a local house church, Shane, drove past my friends and me and invited us to church. For some reason, we agreed. We waited for Shane at our local park to come and pick us up for Youth Group. It started to rain, and we wondered if we should go home. Shane was late, and we were drenched. So, I asked Shane if we could go past my house for me to change clothes. So we did. I ran into the house and ran out. By the Power of the Holy Spirit, I did nothing to my mother.
Saved by God’s Grace
Then we arrived at the house where the service was. We didn’t know what to expect as we never entered a church, especially one that was inside a house. I remember it like it was yesterday, as soon as I stepped in the front door, overwhelming joy in the form of heat hit me. The usher at the door gave me the warmest welcome I had ever received. I was instantly affected.
Everything from the worship and the preaching of The Word impacted me. I was born again. My past suddenly dissipated, and I was a new creation. Things I did before, I no longer even thought of doing. Things that excited me before now made me disgusted. I was changed. I have not missed a service since.
Church Work on My Free Ministry Study Journey
I participated in the drama team and the production team. I even became involved in worship. As soon as I graduated in 2007, I went to work full-time for my church. I worked a year without pay, and subsequently after that received a little money in the years to follow. I learned how to play bass guitar, drums, piano, acoustic guitar, and lead. There isn’t an instrument on stage I can’t play. I also did sound engineering and knew how to do a full production setup from lights to stage rigging.
Soon after, we started a studio at the church producing albums. I was a chief recording and mastering engineer. The only thing I can’t do is sing. I did the training at our church to become an ordained minister but always wanted some real credentials. I would love to feel that I have achieved something and proof to show for it.
Life Experiences on My Free Ministry Study Journey
Over the years, I started to be offended by stupid things. I always loved the Lord, but when it came to my pride, I was being eaten alive. In early 2014, I left working for my church. I married and started working in the world for money. Three children were born to my one wife (I’m thankful to say that) and me. I have been in different roles and companies over the years, where I made money and where I lost money.
However, God is in control, and He led me back to my original design. I have known since my new birth that God is calling me to shepherd His flock. God gave me the most significant revelation about His word two years ago, which resolidified my faith in Him. But not many accept the truth and so reject the Bible and its teaching. Once this mystery was revealed to me, it sorted out all my skepticism about the Bible. The Bible is the truth, and I want to share it with my brothers and sisters.
My Free Ministry Study Journey Led Me to Christian Leaders Institute
Now, I want to take my Bible studies further. The Christian Leaders Institute is an answered prayer from God. I don’t have money to study His word or even get ordained, but by the Grace of God, I have both at CLI. I am sorry that it took so long, even to the point of hitting rock bottom financially and emotionally, to realize what my real focus should be. Yet, now I am here at CLI to fulfill my calling and step into the role God has planned for me. God bless you guys who are reading these words.
Learn about ordination opportunities at the Christian Leaders Alliance.