Called to Ministry
My name is Keith Smith, and I am called to ministry service. I’m originally from Bronson, MI, and lived there most of my life. I am 52 years old and currently live in Newnan, Georgia. When I was around eight or nine years old, I gave my heart to Jesus. I was brought up in a Christian home and went to church, camp, and Sunday school.
Childhood Trauma
My Grandma died when I was ten, and that started a drift away from God. I had a resentment against him for that. Also, around that same time, I was molested by a neighbor. I believed I wasn’t good enough to be forgiven by God since I couldn’t forgive myself. I became terrified about things but couldn’t pinpoint what made me afraid. By the age of thirteen, my Mom had me seeing a psychologist.
I also had a bleeding ulcer because I worried so much. My doctor gave me two medicines; one to soothe my tummy, the other to quiet my brain. He told me to take them when I started feeling nervous. That taught me to control my emotions by using drugs.
Addiction and A Cry for Help
When I was around 15, I discovered marijuana and found I did not need the prescription any longer. It seemed to be the answer to my problems. It worked for a while, but it came with a lot of negative consequences. There were broken relationships, jails, wasted money, and a loss of time. It also pushed me deeper into self and bitterness against others.
Finally, after my third DUI, when I was in jail, I prayed. It was a simple prayer, “God, help me!” That was it. From that point on, alcohol and marijuana quit working for me. Not that I quit using, it no longer gave any relief. However, I continued to pray.
Set Free and Called to Ministry
On January 21, 1992, I went into a 28-day treatment center as part of my court-mandated punishment. I haven’t used marijuana or alcohol since and did whatever it took. I went to AA meetings and did what they told me to do to get sober. What I found there was a relationship with God that I had never experienced before. Thankfully, I had Christ in my life, because when I got in real trouble, I knew where to turn.
Since then, I have been on a spiritual growth journey. I started going back to church. I joined a Bible study and began the process of learning how to love Jesus, others, and even myself. Christians call that sanctification. I call it learning how to love. When you start learning how to love, you, by default, have to start caring about others. Romans 8:6 is my life verse. It’s a promise to all that if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, you have life and peace. When I start feeling out of control emotionally, I stand on this verse and receive God’s calm. Then, I can press on.
My Journey
After I got clean, I did volunteer work leading AA meetings at a boy’s prison in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. There, for the first time, I led someone to Christ. I did that for a couple of years; then, I moved back to Michigan. Not long after that, I volunteered at an AA meeting in a regular prison. For the next 10 to 15 years, I did lots of ministry work. I was a facilities manager at a Christian youth camp, taught middle school Sunday school, and coordinated Financial Peace courses at our church. Also, I wrote a book called 101 Strategies To Combat Worry since that was the main reason for my alcohol and drug use. I also started blogging about spiritual tools, although I haven’t written much recently.
Then, we moved to Newnan, GA. While I was at the 12 Step meetings, I noticed people coming to meetings for a while. They were not working the steps, so, after a while, they left. I heard God telling me to write a booklet on how to work the steps, so I did. It is called Jumpstart. I help people jumpstart their recovery, and others use it to help people through the steps as well.
Called to Ministry Training at CLI
Another thing at that time, I heard God tell me to work with an organization called A Better Way Ministries. So, I went to recovery type meetings there as a volunteer. Since then, I also wrote another booklet called On Solid Ground. It is about the first steps in Christianity and how to get your relationship with God, others, and yourself on the right track.
My wife home-schools our son and did our daughter as well. We live on a single income. I’m glad I found these free courses available at Christian Leaders Institute. God has something else in mind for me. I am called to ministry, but I haven’t figured out exactly what that means. That is why I am taking these courses at CLI. Meanwhile, I continue working as a Maintenance Manager and volunteering at A Better Way Ministries.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Called to Teach God’s Word
Greetings! My name is Miranda Cassett, and I live in the United States of America. My ministry calling is to teach the Word of God to others so that they understand the Bible better. There is such a high biblical illiteracy rate and that deeply saddens me. The Bible is such a marvelous book! The Bible is the very words of God, and all believers can go deeper into the study of the Scriptures. What a blessing!
I was called to teach an adult Sunday school class back in 2013 and have been working toward that goal at Christian Leaders Institute. CLI has been instrumental in my ministry training and a blessing to me. I have learned so many valuable things at Christian Leaders Institute. It has helped me to grow in my faith and my walk with God.
Called to Teach: My Ministry Dream
Currently, I am teaching a Sunday school class to Junior High students. However, I feel my calling is to teach adults. At this time, my challenge has been obstacles that keep me from fulfilling my ministry calling to teach. One example of such an obstacle is my church’s view on women adult Sunday School teachers. I trust that God will show me how and where He wants me to serve Him.
My ministry dream for the future is to be able to use the ministry training I receive from the Christian Leaders Institute to teach a Bible class. I want to teach in a manner that is simple yet informative. I want to help others enhance their knowledge of Scripture and deepen their faith by being in the Word. My hope is to help decrease biblical illiteracy in my church and through online ministry.
Learn about degree study options at the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Student Learner Studying at CLI
My name is Peta Gay Waugh, and I live and work in Jamaica. I describe myself as a student learner and am learning, understanding and getting to know Him. Therefore, as I grow on my journey as a Christian, I must understand and be able to relate to my experiences.
Being a part of the Christian Leaders Institute during this process is truly a blessing. First, it fulfilled my quest to learn and grow as a Christian. Second, it provided me with the tools needed to better understand God and my role and responsibilities as a leader. I am challenged, and the more I delve in, the more I am eager to learn. Already, I find myself being more open to sharing and fellowshipping with everyone.
Christian leaders in Jamaica are either ordained or have gone through the theological process. The expectations are very high, as they are role models selected by a high calling. The community usually seeks counseling and advice in all forms from them. They even attest documents and are often summoned by the police if and when needed.
Raised as a Christian
As a child, I grew up admiring these leaders, especially in my household. Going to church was considered imperative. My mother sat with us on the veranda on Sunday evening as we studied the Bible through reading the stories. We rarely fellowshipped together except for those days, but I knew it was necessary. Each morning, my mother sat in the bathroom, praying and reading her Bible. My father did the same thing. So my siblings and I followed suit with evening prayer also as a must.
We also expressed thanks for the day and what we accomplished. Our parents reminded us of the need to be humble, grateful, and take nothing for granted. In my household, we were responsible for each other. Mother, the nurturer, would also be reminding us of our responsibilities to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. A trust that I have grown to respect over the years. It has taught me how to work with others and accept them for who they are.
Student Learner about God at CLI
My acceptance of the Lord happened when I was about ten. I was in the bathroom, the quiet family place, reading the Bible when I began to speak in tongues. It was a surreal feeling. I have come to look forward to it as it is like God speaking through me. Ministering and fellowshipping with God is something that I do every day. I am always humbled to share my testimony of how good God has been to me. My spiritual aspiration is to become so devoted to the Lord that I am one with Him. My biggest hurdle is being diligent in my mission. It is for this reason that being a part of the Christian Leaders Institute is essential to me as it has made me more focused.
As I delve into this knowledge being offered, I hope that I will learn and comprehend so that I can become a teacher and guide to others. I assist my siblings financially, so I do not have the income to fund my studies. Hence, since this training is free, I feel blessed that God answered my prayers. Learning and understanding His Word is paramount to me. A scholarship enables me with the ability to complete more classes so that I can teach and guide others positively. Thank you, CLI!
Learn about ordination options at the Christian Leaders Alliance.