God’s Transforming Power
My name is Kristine. I have much to share about myself. Hopefully, what I am sharing glorifies God and how incredible God’s transformational power and grace is upon His children. It starts with my experience of what my life was like before I knew the Lord, my process, and who I am today.
My Youth
I was brought up in a dysfunctional family, where there were addictions, alcoholism, adultery, physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse. As a result, I had some behavior problems as a child because of my experiences in my environment. I experienced mostly rejection and abuse.
As I got older, I discovered that I am dyslexic. It was the reason I had so much difficulty learning in school, especially reading, writing, spelling, and math. Because of my learning disability, I was ridiculed, and I felt more worthless and useless. I believed the lies I heard. Today, I know that a learning disability has no reflection on intelligence. I just have to work harder. I’m so grateful for spell check and the calculator, what lifesavers!
I ended up in a Catholic school on my second try for the second grade. The idea was that Catholic education was better with smaller and more intimate class size. However, it was worse; I got pushed along and skated by. I never really got a strong foundation. While at St Peter’s, we had “religion” class and Mass weekly, more during the holiday seasons, and I also went to church on Sundays. But my perception of who God is and who Jesus is was skewed.
My Struggles
I asked God what I did to deserve such an awful family. What did I do to make Him so angry with me? But I was also mad at Him for all the terrible things I went through as a little girl. I didn’t understand mental health and addiction. I was just a kid. All I knew was I was not loved; I heard hateful, painful words, and much more.
By the time I was 16, I had enough and left home. I would rather live on the streets then under that roof. I lived in cars, tents, and friend’s basements. Meanwhile, I was working full-time and going to High School. I tried hard to do the right thing. But I would fall asleep in class because I worked 3-11 as a waitress to survive. Eventually, I became a Certified Nurses Assistant. I got done with work and studied until I passed out. However, I was a distraction to the teachers and classmates because I couldn’t keep my eyes open. They made me drop out, so I did. The school never asked me what was going on or tried to help me. But, I ended up with my GED a few years later.
My Addiction Struggle
Between the ages of 16-28, I fell into the generational family curse. I became an alcoholic and an addict. It started with drinking, smoking cigarettes and weed with friends, and experimenting with some other drugs. By the time I was 18, I was into hard drugs. I ended up in and out of mental hospitals and detoxes as well as chronic homelessness.
There was a medication that stabilized me, but I still used less heavy drugs. I decided I wanted a change, to do better, to be better. Art school was my first choice, but I went to a technical school instead. I attended the New England Institute of Technology, and I graduated in 2002.
While a student there, I worked in the final aid off for work-study. A woman, Lynda, who was a secretary, was so kind and compassionate. She would ask me how I was, if I needed anything, etc. She also invited me to church a lot. I always declined, but she persisted. I was suspicious about the whole thing and didn’t want anything to do with God. He was never there to help me all those times I was hurt.
God Enters My Life
Christmas eve 1999, I was alone in my basement apartment feeling sorry for myself. I called her, and I told her I didn’t want to be alone. So, she picked me up. She took me to her small Baptist Church. It was different from the Catholic Church. It was kind of strange, but not as dull to me. I felt love and acceptance by all the members and the pastor that Christmas Eve. I felt at home but scared too. By the end of the service, I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord. The people touched me.
I continued to attend church. I fell in Love with Jesus and wanted more of Him. My desire was to be in an intimate, personal relationship with Him. The whole world needed to know about Jesus. If He could love me, He could love anyone. I wanted everyone to feel what I was feeling — unconditional love. I never felt that love before. The love of Christ was much more than what any person could offer. It’s awesome! I brought friends to church and shared the gospel and the love of Christ with everyone. I was on fire for God!
God’s Transformational Power
Still, I continued using drugs. I knew it wasn’t what Jesus wanted for my life. So, I cried out to God for help. I humbled myself and asked my church for help. I went to Teen Challenge New Haven Woman’s Home in 2003. God changed my life. I was emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually broken when I entered those doors. That home was a place where I could be in the presence of God. I was open for Him to do what He needed to do to change my life, my heart, my mind, and soul. All to Jesus I surrendered and the Holy Spirit filled me.
Teen Challenge is a Pentecostal Bible Boot Camp! It was the most challenging thing I ever did. There were many tests and trials, character changing challenges. God uprooted and healed the things that were not of Him. I persevered through this program as a student for 21 months. Needless to say, I am still being sanctified. (Philippines 1:6)
Healing and Calling by God
While I was a student at TC, I found out I had endocarditis a damaging infection in my heart. However, six months later, through prayer and obedience, I received physical healing. Not only did God heal my heart emotionally but physically. It was a miracle, a testimony of God’s transformational power. Jesus gave me a new heart that was rich and prepared for His Word.
I was also delivered from depressed, anxiety, and childhood wounds. I learned to forgive all those who harmed me. God’s transformational power is what I share with others now. I love the Lord with all my heart soul and mind. My desire is to spend time with Him continuously and in His Word. The Lord put a fire in my heart for Him, for the lost, and for His Word and ministry.
After TC, I went to InterCoast institute and became a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and mental health worker. I also attended the University of Southern Maine School of Social Work and am a Mental Health Worker on a locked ward. My job is with the very people who represent who I once was. The Lord uses our pasts to create change, to show love, compassion, and mercy to others. I have to minister to others where the Lords leads me to and show the love of Christ to others.
My Ministry
At 5:00 am, I get on The Boot Camp Prayer Line until 6 am. Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, I go to a church from 9 am to 10 am for morning prayer and worship. Wednesday morning, my church meets at our pastor’s house for 6 am-7 am prayer. God called me to intercede in Prayer.
I attend Sanctuary North Church in Providence, R.I. It’s a church plant, and I was part of the launch team. We started this neighborhood church about three years ago. We believe in serving the Lord and the community around us. I am a youth leader, part of the woman’s ministry, attend services, and occasionally lead our weekly Bible study and homegroup. Teaching, sharing the Gospel, and evangelizing are important to me. I started our Church outreach this summer.
More to Learn at CLI
Full-time ministry and being open to whatever God calls me to do is where I am at. I knew I needed training for ministry, and I found CLI. I believe the Christian Leaders Institute will open doors for me in my future. While I learn, I can love others, share who Jesus is, what He has done for me, and what He can do for them. I am discussing with my Pastor about starting a Celebrate Recovery group. May my testimony and my life glorify God!
I believe that all that I went through was not in vain. The Lord uses what I went through to be a witness to His grace, mercy, and unconditional love. The Word of God transforms my life through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
God’s Faithfulness Endures Forever
If all the oceans filled with ink and all the trees converted into paper, there still wouldn’t be enough resources to write of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and mercy. My God has forgiven me much so many times; I don’t even know where to begin. He loved me when I could not love myself, and no one else wanted to. God loved me when I was homeless and addicted to drugs, alcohol, and sex. He loved me when I was in prison and believed in no one or anything.
My Journey
At a very young age, I heard of God’s love for me and the calling He placed upon my life. But I chose to go other directions. Along that journey, I faced life sentences in prison, the death penalty, and I even flatlined.
But God never let go, even when I felt myself letting Him go. He is indeed faithful, and His word is true. God says in His word that He will never leave me or forsake me. And He never did. I am forever indebted to Him for a debt I can never pay. Thank God for Christ Jesus, who has already done it all! I give myself to Him for His service.
God’s Faithfulness to Me
When I was the worst of my worse, God never left me. He allowed His love to prevail in my life when I was at my lowest and wanted to give up on life. When I was homeless and addicted to drugs, alcohol, and sex, He loved me. When I was imprisoned and having life sentences and the death penalty, God never left me!
Today I am free in every sense of the word: FREE. I am a House Manager for transitional living. It is a place for those who are looking for a better way of life. I want to tell everyone of God’s faithfulness, His goodness, mercy, grace, and kindness. MY GOD IS FAITHFUL!
I thank God that He led me to the Christian Leaders Institute for free online ministry training. With this free training, I can be better equipped in my ministry.
Learn about ordained ministry at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Christine’s Ministry Training Dream: Free Training? Yes!
My name is Christine Asser, and here is Christine’s ministry training dream story. I live in the UK. I am the 7th child of my mother and the 11th child of my father. My birth was in Ghana and my higher education in Russia and the UK. I started going to church at a very young age and joined the church choir in my early teens. My mother said that when she was pregnant with me, she heard a voice telling her to attend the Methodist church. So, she obeyed, and I was born into the Methodist church.
My Journey
I stopped going to church during vacations when I was in secondary school. My nonattendance was because I couldn’t afford to wear new clothes every Sunday. As I attended boarding school, it was compulsory during the term to participate in the church service on Sunday evenings. I also participated in the scripture union meetings. By the time I finished the sixth form, I had lost all my childhood friends due to frequent moves to different towns and addresses.
During my university days, I led my life the best I knew how and made mistakes. At no time in my life did I forget God. But at some point, I had Him in the background, not serving Him or obeying His commands. I completely forgot what God required of me and that nearly ruined my life. There were so many agendas I wanted to complete at my own pace and time. I forgot Proverbs 19:21 “There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel that will stand.” (NKJV)
Seeking the Lord
After I completed my two years of national service, I desperately sought the LORD. I went to a Pentecost prayer camp for two weeks to fast and pray. There I was completely healed from a stomach ulcer that took my joy from me through primary school until after university. I continued searching and frequently went to mountain tops to pray.
God has blessed me with two beautiful children, which I don’t deserve, but He showed His covenant of kindness to me. I am very thankful.
My Spiritual Dream
My spiritual dream is to establish Christian camps for the youth to attend during their school break vacations in Ghana. I want to help them include God in all their decisions. In Ghana, most of the young girls commit sexual sins that lead to abortions because of their need for food and clothes. The Christian camps will take them from the streets during their vacations and teach them about the LORD.
Obstacles and Growth
Growing into maturity, I encountered many obstacles. I came from a house of abundance, but I lacked everything. I was the only child who was denied things through accusations in my father’s household. This occurrence drastically reduced my trust in people.
I got a job that took me places, but I was still not happy. I got spine tuberculosis and prayed to God that in my pains instead of crying, I would praise him. When I prayed this prayer, God gave me a word in Exodus 14:14, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” This word encouraged me, and I knew I was not going to die.
Next Steps in Christine’s Ministry Training Dream
In both my healing experiences, God became so real and close to me. Many years after the healing, I was praying one day and asked God to reveal Himself to me. I heard a soft voice behind me, saying, “You know I am real.” I have not prayed that prayer again.
In November 2018, I published my first book on Amazon titled “Ask God Questions.” God also allowed me to preach in two churches: St Paul’s Methodist and GICC Assemblies of God. This opportunity has been a great blessing to me and others, though I had no ministry training.
For many years, I tried to go to seminary, but it did not matter how much I searched, the fees were not affordable to me. I prayed about it. I asked God to open doors for Christine’s ministry training dream if it is his will. Just two weeks ago, I found the Christian Leaders Institute on the internet.
Free Ministry Training at CLI
I couldn’t believe it, I checked and double-checked. I told myself that this might be a con. They wanted me to start the course, but then they would hit me with a hefty bill I couldn’t pay. So one week after I registered at the CLI site, I was still afraid to start watching the videos. I saw the countdown that I have wasted seven days. I got courageous and watched and reading the material and realized it is not a lie; it is true. There are no tuition fees. I thank God for CLI, and I pray that God will bless the founders from generation to generation.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.