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.
Men’s Ministry Dream
Hello, my name is Aaron MacDonald, and I have a men’s ministry dream. I live in Tiny, Ontario, Canada. My wife Julie and I have lived here for just over four years after moving from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We have six great children and an awesome little grandson.
Throughout my life, I periodically went to many different churches for Sunday school. My family was not dedicated to Christ but were good people who planted some seeds. Into my adulthood, I was an agnostic, searching for answers to life’s questions. But, I never came across anyone that could lead me into the Light of Jesus.
Marriage, Salvation, and a Men’s Ministry Dream
Then after many of life’s challenges, I met my wife, Julie, a Christian filled with the Spirit since childhood. It was through her that I came to know the Lord. For the first time, someone showed me the love of God, the grace of God, and the miracles of God.
My prayer through all of this journey is to continue to walk closer to God. With this gift of faith that we have, my spiritual dream is to help young men who are lost, hurt, and need help finding the way. I am hoping through this free ministry training at Christian Leaders Institute that I will push forward to my goal with confidence.
Christian Leaders Institute is an answer to a prayer. My wife and I are blessed in so many ways, but financially the extras are not there. With CLI’s help, I can work through my training while still maintaining my present job. My job has continually changing shifts, which make it hard, but CLI offers the flexibility I need for my schooling.
Thank you, CLI! God bless you and keep you all on your journeys!
Learn about ordination opportunities at the Christian Leaders Alliance.
Calling of Ministering
My name is Qoenchatda Day, and I have a calling of ministering. I am from Racine, Wisconsin, in the United States of America. While growing up, random people would come up to me and ask what church I went to or tell their whole life story to me, hoping for a word. At this time, although I genuinely believed in the word of God, I also thought that most church-going people were frauds. So I was on the run with destiny chasing me down. I truly believed in God and knew that I should not play around with faith. However, I didn’t just want to blend in with rest for a title and lose my soul.
At this time, I didn’t understand that the church was for the sick as well as the whole. These people were right where they needed to be getting and asking for help and change. Understanding this made a lot of things more apparent for me, even my calling. I am a very talented singer. Yet, if I’m honest, I needed to peel back the layers so that I could offer up more of myself to God and his children. Doing that led me to my calling of ministering.
Free Ministry Training at CLI for My Calling of Ministering
To bridge the gap between knowing the word and putting the word to good use in today’s time for one’s self and others. This education at Christian Leaders Institute is an excellent opportunity for me to gain knowledge and skill. I want to be able to reach out to others and have a better understanding of God’s people. Getting free ministry training at CLI at a time when I have no reserves and live paycheck to paycheck is nothing short of a blessing. Thank you, CLI, for this opportunity!
Learn about ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance.