Orphan Ministry Call
My name is Emma Pregnon, and I have an orphan ministry call on my life. Currently, I live in the USA. I was born in the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire in West Africa in 1960. My parents were Catholics, so I was baptized at ten days old. My childhood was filled with religious activities. I went to Catholic school for my primary schooling. There, I learned about God and the baby Jesus.
In my high school years, however, I left the faith but kept the feeling I wanted to be close to God. The story of mother Theresa was so amazing to me that I wanted to be just like her and help the needy. I thought it was a childhood feeling, but this feeling kept growing in me and became a dream.
Move to the USA
I migrated to the United States of America in 1992 to join my elder sister in California. I later moved to Atlanta in 1994. There, I met Jesus in 1998 in the Pentecostal Church and again received the baptism in Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit filled me on August 31, 1998. I served for many years as a church secretary in our local church.
Over the years, my thirst for Jesus grew. So, I took a course at Liberty University to earn a diploma as a Bible Study Teacher. The dream of helping others was alive and growing in me, but I did not know how to start.
My Orphan Ministry Call
One day this year, after my quiet time, I felt the call to go back to my country, the Ivory Coast, to start an Orphanage. In 2010, after the war, many children lost their parents. By the grace of God, many Good Samaritans with little to no financial background stepped in to help. After learning about their stories, an idea came to me to set up an organization called “Orphans Connections International.”
The idea behind it is to give a helping hand to these Good Samaritans to serve the needy. Also, I want to spread the service to the neighboring countries. To respond to my call, I secured a half-acre of land where the orphanage will be. Its role will be to connect with other orphanages to serve them.
I also hope to reach these children with the gospel. By using the Word of Proverbs 22:6, the children will become good citizens and models for their generation. However, to reach that goal, I needed training myself.
Ministry Training at CLI for my Orphan Ministry Call
One day I was trying to delete an ad that appeared on my phone. After three tries, I gave up and read it. “Christians Leaders Institute,” it said. Curious, I read more. That’s how I found what I was looking for; God just dropped it in my hands. So, here I am, and from what I already learned, I know this was a divine choice for me. After taking the free ministry training at CLI, I will be equipped for my journey. Thank you, CLI.
Learn about ordination opportunities with the Christian Leaders Alliance.
Ordained Independent Pastor Studying at CLI
My name is Leonard Fuller (Lenny for short). I am studying at CLI to become an ordained independent pastor. Forty-three years ago, I married the wonderful woman that God has graciously given me. We have two children and five grandchildren. Last year, I had a Stem Cell Transplant. It will be a year in December when my son graciously donated his bone morrow. I praise God for my family. God has blessed my family and me.
My Initial Calling: God Makes a Way
I was called ten years ago while attending an ordination service. God talked to me about becoming a pastor in His church. I said, “There is no way. I do not like to get up in front of people and talk.” However, He kept talking to me. “No way, Lord, I am not qualified,” I said. But He was persistent. He reassured me that I could do this. Finally, I said, “Okay, Lord! I will talk to my pastor.”
I did not feel comfortable to do funerals. But, my aunt was dying of cancer and in the final stages. I went to visit her. We talked, and she said that she was not long for this world. She did not know yet that God was calling me to be a pastor. Then she asked me if I would be willing to do her funeral. I told her that I didn’t think I could do it. She persisted. So, I told her that I would look into it. I asked my pastor if I could, and he said that I could if that is what she wanted. You cannot put restrictions on the Lord. I did my Aunt’s funeral, which was ten years ago now.
Finally, I went and talked to my pastor about becoming a pastor. As we spoke, he laid out the requirements. A high school diploma was something I did not have. When I left the pastor’s office, I told the Lord that I am not able to be a pastor because I did not have a high school diploma. That did not stop the Lord; He kept after me. You cannot say no to God! So, I finally looked into getting a high school diploma. I attended classes and completed my education. Now, I have a high school diploma.
A New Direction: Training at CLI to be an Ordained Independent Pastor
God has called me to ministry because I would never have done all of this if it weren’t for the Lord pushing me. I got a high school diploma, performed a funeral, went to Basic Lay Speaking and Advanced Lay Speaking. I completed my candidacy program for the United Methodist Church.
Currently, I feel that God has a different plan for me. I have been a Licensed Local United Methodist Pastor for eight years. I want to further my education and become an ordained independent pastor. When I first got my call, I was making excuses not to answer my call, but the Holy Spirit kept after me. I believe the Holy Spirit is calling me in a different direction, and that is staying with the truth that the Bible tells us to follow.
This new direction led me to the Christian leaders Institute for free ministry training. I plan to take the ordination course as well. I look forward to being an ordained independent pastor and serving where God leads me!
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Online Free Ministry Training at Christian Leaders Institute
My name is Sofia Sandolo, and I am receiving online free ministry training at CLI. I live in Old Greenwich, Connecticut with my husband of 22 years and our sixteen-year-old daughter. I grew up in a strict Italian Catholic home. Both of my parents were born in Italy, and I am a first-generation American. I am the youngest of six children.
My father passed away from cancer at the age of 53 when I was only 15 years old. I remember sitting at Greenwich Hospital when he was so ill and picking up the Gideon Bible that was on the window sill. Even though I was raised in the Catholic church, as a devout Catholic, and went to Catholic school, I did not receive all that I needed to receive. Funny, how it was truly a religion and not a relationship in my life.
Salvation and Now Called to More
Fast forward, I met a Christian man and within six months I attended one of his church services. It was interesting going into a rented civic center rather than a church building. Yet, something was different in a good way. Sure enough, the enemy came in fast, and I gave my boyfriend an ultimatum, either his church or me. I told him I was born a Catholic and would die a Catholic. A few weeks later I found myself crying to him that I needed his pastor to pray for me. So, that Sunday, December 4, 1988, I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Glory to God!!
So it’s been an incredible journey, and here I am wanting more, desiring more and to be used by the Lord more. I came upon the Christian Leaders Institute via Google and said this is a start. I signed up and am excited about the online free ministry training I am getting. My desire is to go into the highways and byways and proclaim that Jesus is Lord!!
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.