Getting Ministry Trained to Change the World
My name is Evangeline Kendrixs, and I am getting ministry trained at Christian Leaders Institute. I live in England, United Kingdom. On March 15, 1957, I was born in Ghana, West Africa, nine days after Ghana’s independence from colonial rule. I am the oldest among three daughters born to Ghanaian parents. We lived in the capital city of Accra. In 1960, my dad migrated to Germany and left us with our mum. So, I grew up in a single-parent home. At a very young age, I started attending an Anglican church near our house with my sisters. We also went to a mission school attached to the church.
I enjoyed going to church because my mum often made new clothes for us to attend the church. The friends I met at church were those from the church school. I was not a born again Christian at that time. However, I attended church services until I completed my primary and middle school education. Then, I left for secondary school.
Jesus my Lord and Saviour
The secondary school I attended was a boarding school. Every term, I left my mum and sisters to attend school in a town far from where we lived. In that school, there was a Scripture Union group, which I joined. We were known as SU members. The leaders were mainly students who were studying Bible knowledge for “Advance” level examinations. I admired them and was inspired by how much they knew the word of God. That knowledge made their scripture teachings exciting. I came to know the Lord when I was with the SU. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and became a born again Christian.
When I completed my secondary school education, I came back home. I worked at Ghana Commercial Bank in Accra. At the bank, there were born again Christians who fellowshipped once or twice a week during the lunch breaks. I joined the fellowship at the bank and stopped attending the Anglican Church. Then, I attended a charismatic church and got baptized in the nearby sea. I talked about Jesus to my sisters, cousins, and other members of my extended family. A few of them joined me and became born again Christians too.
Later, I moved from the city of Accra to the small town of Tema. While I was trying to settle in that new town, I noticed there was a charismatic church there. So, I started fellowshipping with them. I lived alone in rented accommodations, so I had enough time to read and study my Bible after work. I attended all-night church services on Fridays, outreach meetings, and other church programs. The Holy Ghost filled me, and I started praying in tongues. Shortly after, I met my husband, and we married.
Making a Move to the UK
During this time, I was having issues with my landlord and neighbors. They complained that I prayed too loud and sang too much, which disturbed them. I did not allow that to dampen my spirit or to make any troubles with them. My husband and I prayed about the complaints, and I went to visit my sisters, who were then living in the UK.
Later, my husband and I migrated to the United Kingdom to work. My spiritual journey continued in the UK. I worked with the church, this time a Pentecostal Church, and I taught Sunday school in the Children’s Service. I attended Christian programs and events. Sometimes, after the church service, I went out with other church members to hand out daily devotional books and gospel tracks.
Testing Time – God is Real
Over time, God blessed us with four daughters. The last child was born with Down’s syndrome. It was a testing time. I could not understand why such an issue came my way after praying day and night and trusting God for everything. However, after all that, I did not give up. I still believed God for a turnaround in my daughter’s health.
I saw the power of God, and He became real to me when my daughter’s health deteriorated, and they admitted her to the ICU. Most of the doctors and nurses who attended her thought she might not make it. But the church members were praying, and our family was fasting and praying too. Then God showed up. My daughter recovered from her illness miraculously, and the hospital staff was all amazed.
God Was Calling
My daughter got well and went back to school. I was unemployed, so I enrolled in the university near my home to study Special Educational Needs (SEN). I wanted to know more about my daughter’s condition. So, I studied up to the postgraduate level. After graduating, I planned to go back to Ghana to work there as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). But my plans did not happen. God called me to serve Him instead.
Unexpectedly, my pastor’s wife wanted to plant a church and came to discuss it with me. She asked me if I could help to find a venue to start a new church. I found a suitable location where we could meet for church services. However, what she was expecting me to do with the new members of the church was something I was not capable of doing because I was not trained. The other leaders working with me were also not doing things right.
Therefore, we were losing members all the time. The church was a small one with about 25 people. Sometimes the membership increased and then decreased after a few weeks. People came, and then they left. The work was difficult and frustrating. We put in so much effort for the church to grow, but there were limited results. All of us in the leadership team were untrained. Then, I decided to get trained. However, I didn’t know how because I couldn’t afford the fees Bible colleges charged.
The Importance of Getting Ministry Trained as a Christian Leader
I didn’t give up and kept searching. I started looking for an online Bible college, and I came across the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). After reading more about the institution, I knew CLI is where I am getting ministry trained. It will enable me to serve Jesus Christ better and to change the world for Christ. The training helps me to grow, and I also get the opportunity to learn more about the gospel. With the ministry training at CLI, I will be able to serve effectively in the church like any other trained Christian leader. Thank you, CLI!
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Chaplaincy Calling
My name is Dazhoni Green, and I have a chaplaincy calling from God. I am from Minnesota. The United States has been blessed thus far not to experience the religious persecution that other countries have. That persecution is a discouragement to Christians who want to be ministers as they have been called to be. However, it can be challenging to find a good Bible-believing church where I live.
Life Experiences
I have had many experiences and lived in many places. I was born in a Navajo Reservation and lived in China for a total of six years. My parents separated when I was ten, and I was diagnosed with cancer when I was twelve. My recovery took several years, and I grew to have a real relationship with Jesus in my teen years as I struggled with depression and anger.
I asked Jesus into my life as Lord and Savior when I was at a summer youth camp. At that time, I humbled myself and asked for his forgiveness as I struggled with a terrible temper. I acknowledged he was my only hope, and I couldn’t fix me. I needed his help and mercy.
At first, I begged God to take my temper from me. However, he didn’t. As I grow in my walk with Him and walk firmly in the Spirit, I can overcome the temptation to give in to anger. Whenever I let pride tell me that I can walk without Him, I am reminded otherwise when I lose my temper. I then humble myself and turn back to God before I let anger control me again. God is so merciful to me. If anyone is unworthy to be a called minister of God, it is me. He is my one genuine desire and my life and light. Without Him, I am nothing. I want my life to honor and serve Him.
Chaplaincy Calling
I am called to become a chaplain. I have wanted to go into ministry since my senior year of high school. But, since my family is in the low economic class, going hundreds of thousands of dollars into debt, wasn’t an option. So I went to a community college in the state. I got my AA degree in general. Then, I went to get training as a dog groomer and worked in the grooming salon these past four years. I appreciate all the support I was given but grew depressed as I felt that it wasn’t what I was called to do.
With my own experience of being in the hospital, sick, and witnessing death in other children, I am comfortable in those settings and have great compassion. Even though I didn’t know God personally when I had cancer, I think it is a beautiful place to get to know Him in that humbling state. I have a strong desire to minister to those who are sick, dying, or at another low place in my chaplaincy calling. Recently, I published my book, SOUVENIRS OF SUFFERING, which covers my battle with childhood cancer. I am encouraged that it has already touched lives based on the Amazon reviews it has received.
Chaplaincy Calling and Training at CLI
I know I have a long way to go in my ministry training and also with my walk with the Lord. I am excited to start this journey with Christian Leaders Institute. My bachelor’s in chaplaincy at CLI is my first goal and then I’ll transfer to, probably, Ohio Christian University to get my master’s degree. I can afford this and have a part-time job, too! I thank God in my prayers every day for Christian Leaders Ministries. It has made a way possible for me to pursue my ministry training and gives me hope and direction for my future in serving God and others.
Ministry to People with Disabilities
My name is Molly Steiner, and I am called to ministry to people with disabilities I live in Northeastern, Wisconsin, in the United States. I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ when I was six years old. I went on several mission trips when I was in high school, and I also got involved with a camp for people with disabilities and loved it. It changed me.
Personal Growth at the Disability Camp
I started as a counselor in training, then counselor, worker, and intern. I eventually came on as a full-time missionary at Camp Daniel and was there for five years. There, I learned so much about ministry, life, serving, leadership, sacrifice, raising support, helping others, loving others, community, life skills, and so much more.
During my time there, I led a small group Bible study for ladies with special needs and helped with the office administration. I helped with construction projects and would lead teams when they came for workdays. I was a Special Olympics coach and agency manager. Sound and video set up and helping with other tasks were part of my work as well. This work was for our Friday night church for people with disabilities called The Able Church. For the last year, I was also the worship leader.
We had four weeks of summer camp. During the summer, I helped the director’s wife, and we stayed one step ahead of the group and set up and took down for different events and activities. I did the administration with applications, nametags, schedules, and signups. I led worship, took pictures, and many other things.
Called to Ministry to People with Disabilities
All of those things shaped me, and my ministry passion is people with disabilities. They are a blessing to be around. Most of my spiritual growth came from spending time with them. There is joy and innocence about them. They worship purely and beautifully since they don’t have stuff in the way as we do. They can connect with God on a deep and meaningful level. I have learned much from them.
There are many people with disabilities in my community. There are many group homes and a couple of workshops. The mission field is enormous. Most people with disabilities don’t come to church because they don’t have a ride. We can start with that. It has been a privilege to be a part of The Able Church, a church for people with disabilities. The church has been around for about eight years. It has been exciting to watch it grow and change. It has been a blessing to see the members get involved with Bible study, service projects, and things during the service.
My Marriage and Our Ministry to People with Disabilities
During my time at Camp Daniel, I met my husband, Justin. Justin has a physical disability. He is in a wheelchair. We married in August of 2015. He shares a passion for working with people with disabilities, as well. I guess you could say my life was destined for disability ministry because I live it every day now.
I don’t know what God has next for us, but I know it will be okay. Right now, Justin is going to school to be a network specialist. We do the sound and video at the church for people with disabilities, the kid’s ministry, and Celebrate Recovery. It has been a blessing to do all of these ministries together. The church I am currently involved with supports me because they are entirely supportive of the ministry for people with disabilities we are doing there.
My Vision and Study at CLI
I can see myself as a mix of a pastor, evangelist, small group leader, and church planter. My heart is in all of those for sure. If I had to choose one, it would be a small group leader. I got to watch a group of ladies change and grow over four years of leading Bible study with them. In the end, they became leaders. It was a beautiful thing.
Please, pray that God shows us what is next and that we follow in that. Pray that God will bring more workers and helpers for our church. Please, pray that God provides drivers, so our members have a ride to church.
I have some extra time on my hands right now, and I wanted to take advantage of it. I have some ministry training, and now I want some Biblical training. Even though I live in the US, things are tight. I wouldn’t be able to do this any other way. I am so thankful for the Christian Leaders Institute for providing me with this opportunity to get the training I need to do the ministry God has called me to do.
Learn about ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance.