Free Courageous Leader Training at CLI
I am George Guramatunhu, I am excited about the free courageous leader training at CLI. Born in Zimbabwe, I am, currently, staying in South Africa as I take refuge from the worsening economic environment back home. I grew up without a father. My mother worked on the farms to provide for us, and I would see her when she visited us in the rural areas of Gokwe.
Knowing God and following what he instructs us makes me long to live according to his will. I grew up in an extended family. Although we were encouraged to go to church, there were some churches which we were not allowed to attend. We especially were not to go to churches where there was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. As such now and then, my uncle and I would go to those churches without permission. We went because we found more enjoyment there than at our usual church.
Saved by God’s Grace and Free Ministry Training at CLI
My mother died when I was in high school. After high school, I did some courses with WBS. I found console in the messages from the scriptures. My knowledge of God grew, and I then met a certain man who was a leader of the church in which I was later baptized. His name was Luckmore Liani, may his soul rest in peace. He made me realize that living without the Lord Jesus is not an option. Because Jesus loves us, we ought to reciprocate the love he has for mankind.
God has been good to me. I had nothing then, however, now I am blessed with a wife and four children. We all know Jesus is our Savior. I am hopeful that getting the courageous leader training at Christian Leaders Institute will equip me with confidence and competence. My spiritual dream is to spread the good news to the people in the area where I reside, especially since there is a language barrier. Apart from that, I think I can gain more understanding of how we can go about shepherding the sheep of the Lord. Thank you, CLI, for this opportunity to receive courageous leader training.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Ministry Training for Existing Pastor
Hello everyone.My name is actually Barend Christian de Wit but I am called Ian (being the last part of Christian)
I am 47 yaers old and lived in Kimberley.I have been married to a wonderful wife, Marieta , for 25 years. We have 2 beautiful sons,whom we treasure as gifts received from God.
During my teens and young adult years, I was a real rebel, causing my parents many grey hairs. Church and God , in particular was not very high on my priority list.
My wife fell pregnant in the last semester of her matric year. Not knowing what to do, I thought I would do the honourable thing and get married. The first few years of our marriage was really rough and the only time we would be in church was for either a wedding or a funeral. . Or finances up to this point was really good and we lived a wealthy life style. By the more we got, the further we grew from God in our lives.But we were brought back to earth and reality with a real bang as everything suddenly started to fell apart. My vehicle broke down and,because I used my vehicle to do my work as a debt collector. I started loosing the one contract after another.
Guys doing reposessions was on my doorstep nearly everyday.It came to a point where we lost everything and had to move in with my parents in law.I felt like a complete failure as a provider,spouse and father. I had no one to blame but myself for our situation. But somewhere in my mind I came to the realization that I had to get out of this terrible situation and get back on my feet. With money borrowed from my father in law,I started a small food stall. At first it was quite a struggle,but as days went by, I actually started to show some profit, As it was quite lonely I started to read my army issued Bible for the very first time, I started feeling a change in me.We even started going to church and family cells. We were actually really happy for the first time in our lives.But that was all about to change. On 21 May 2001 as I was crossing the road, on my way to my stall, I was hit by a vehcle and flew 40 metres through the air. I was immediately rused to the hospital where my wife and family members were called and told to come as they werre not sure how long I have to live,
I remembered opening my one eye as my other was a mess of blood and skin, and saw my wife crying. I tried to comfort her saying that everything would be all right and all that she must do is to pray for my recovery.I suffered severe breaking of my right leg in 12 places, my arm in 6. I lost the sight out of the corner of my right eye and was informed that I would never walk again. I was in and out of the ICU. During that time I had a real encounter with God where I made a solomn promise that if I was given another chance I would serve Him with all in me.Well it is now 18 years later and I have kept my promise. Though they told me I would never walked again and being pushed on a wheelchair out of hospital after 71 days in ICU. I am jogging and playing tennis.
In September of 2001 in me and my wife gave our hearts to the Lord and we were baptized as born again children of God.
There was this constant urge inside us to do more and more.
In 2008 my desire to serve the Lord was put to the test. I was asked to take over as preacher at the Bushmen congregation near our town. Being a person not able to speak in front of others, I tried the Moses trick saying that I am weak with words and not a good spokesman. Our Pastor told me that if God brings you to a situation, He will provide the means to take you through it. On that Sunday morning I preached a full sermon for 3 hours without any hesitation or stuttering and as they say the rest is history. In 2015 I started praying to God to give me a place of worship in our community, to make it easy for people battling with transport, to get to church. Well the Lord provided us with a beautiful building, chairs and an amazing sound system and we were all set.In September 2015 I started a small congregation, under the wing of the big church with 11 people.The desire to serve the Lord was toxic and pretty soon we started to experience growth
Currently we are between 40 and 50 attending the church. Every service is an occasion where we invite the Holy spirit to fill the building as we pray for sickness, for provision but most of all to thank the Lord for His love and provision.
I knew that the Lord had called me to service, but there was no need to study, but thanks to Christian Leaders I am now able to fulfill my dream and desire to be in His service permanantly
Broken and Divorced Now Doing Ministry Training
Hello and thank you for taking the time to read my story. My name is Michael Hucal III and I am from the United States of America. My walk with Christ, much like many people, is one of many ups and downs. I was fortunate enough to be raised in a Christian home and gave my life to Christ at the age of 12.
I do not think at that time I realized what I was doing or what would happen as a result. Many years later in my adult life I got baptized of my own free will in a lake at a church I was attending. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. It was 68 degrees that morning the water was ice cold. I waded out off of the shore to the pastors who were waiting for me. I remember going under the water and when I came back up there was a warmth about me I could not explain. Steam was rolling off my body and it was the first time I think I grasped what it meant to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The journey that would follow would be one of many many trials. My wife took another job, leaving a six-figure income behind to work for a non-for-profit. I was crushed because it meant the dream job of running my own photography business would have to come to an end. I sat in the middle of an empty studio with tears running down my face and asked God to show me something I could love as much as I loved that place. The fact I said that to Him showed my level of spiritual immaturity. I later realized I had created an idol before him. But, God in all His grace, allowed me to land a part-time job working for the very church I was baptized in. Not only did He orchestrate that, but I also landed in the care ministry department working with some of the most broken people I had ever known. I worked with those going through divorces. I worked with those coming off of drug problems, and even some still struggling. I worked with grieving families after the loss of loved ones, and I learned how to be a servant. That road and that small journey changed my life. I was on fire to become a pastor. I wanted to continue that education and do something with it. I began to preach at local men’s shelters. My family and I helped feed the poor during various holidays. I was on the path to fulfilling a dream I did not even know I had.
There were many events that took place over the next few years. Unfortunately, I did not have the proper support network and my passion to go into full-time ministry was fading. I had failed to realize at that point that it was not my job to do it on my own, or in my own timing, it was God’s job to fulfill on His timing. The enemy attacked harder and harder and I missed all the signs that my marriage was falling apart. When my life at home became unbearable, I walked out of my marriage. I could not reach out for help due to the shame I was feeling.
After that was all done I heard the still small dark voice telling me I would never be in ministry again. If that were not bad enough, the new church I was serving at revoked my ordination and did everything they could to tell others of my decision to end my marriage. I went through a very dark time in my life and the next three years were the hardest I had ever done.
In a desperation prayer for God to just remove me from this world I heard a small voice say “No, even in this, I can use you” I only could get two words out through my tears and I said “Show me” There has been a long journey of healing and restoration. I have seen what it looks like to be among the broken, and I have felt what it feels like to need a savior when all felt lost. My passion is very direct this time around and despite everyone telling me I will never be a pastor at my age, I push forward. I do so this time with mentors, proper training, and the understanding of what God has called all of us to do. I push forward with my journey because I, of all people, know what it feels like to receive grace and get a fresh new start, and an eternal blessing. We serve an amazing God and despite where you find yourself, He is right there with arms wide open waiting for you to say “show me” Trust me, I know.