God Will Provide
My name is Richard Newel, but I have been known as Rik since my early teenage years. God guides us even when we do not realize it. I am thankful for the tuition-free online ministry classes offered at the Christian Leaders Institute.
Living in France
My wife and I have lived in France since 2006. I am often asked why I left England and started a new life here. Initially, my wife and I had a small amount of money from selling a house. Therefore, we were looking for a holiday home. The ideal home would have a minimum of two bedrooms and be a lock-up and leave-type of home. The reality was that everything we looked at was a ruin – literally.
Then, one day, we stumbled across a five-bedroom house that only needed a lick or two of paint. That’s where our journey in France started. When we bought that house, we had no idea where we would go to church each Sunday. The house initially had a renter. The tenant knew that we were Christians and suggested a local church to us. We met with French and English Christians. They welcomed us into their community.
After a couple of years, we got itchy feet again and moved house twice more before settling here. We were thankful to discover a local house church via one of the roofers working on our home. He continued singing Hosanna very loudly from the roof so all could hear him.
House Church and Belonging
The house church was the nearest I have ever come to how the original church was set up. We meet in each other’s homes, a field, or a village hall. It did not matter where. It was the first time that I felt included and that I belonged there.
I grew up in a Catholic household. In those days, everything was in Latin in the service. So, as a youngster, although I was always aware of God’s presence, I never really understood what was going on or felt any inclusion.
When It All Changed
Everything changed for me when I was ten. There was a visiting missionary who preached in our church one Sunday. The sermon he told was based on a modern parable. It was the story of the long chopsticks or the long spoons, as some might know it. That story spoke to me. For some reason, I knew I was to repeat that story in later life. It took me another 55 years to do it, though!
Our local church asked if any of the leaders wanted to preach. Not known for being outgoing, all of a sudden, I felt a “virtual” dig in the ribs and an inner voice saying now is the time. That story was the second sermon I ever preached. I like to think that it reached others, too. Hopefully, they won’t take as long as I did to repeat it.
Tuition Free Online Ministry Classes
So began my walk with God. At the moment, I am looking for an opportunity to hopefully plant a house church or find a meeting place. I genuinely believe that the Christian Leaders Institute will guide me on my journey. I will be forever grateful to them for their tuition-free online ministry classes. For me, money has always been a deciding factor when looking to further my training. Now retired, I live on a basic pension. This gift of free training is the ideal way for me to follow my calling!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
Hi, I’m Elijah Mana Khui Shing. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute to get further ministry training for God’s call.
I’m a dad to two boys and married to Anna. Right now, I’m a pastor at the Gospel Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. But my journey started in Myanmar. My dad, a pastor too, raised me in a Christian family.
My Story of Answering God’s Call
When I was young, we lived in a small town called Mindat in Myanmar. That’s when I learned about Jesus and decided to follow him. I used to travel with my dad to different villages, spreading the good news about Jesus. Seeing people’s lives change because of the message made me want to be a missionary like my dad.
After high school, I went to a Bible college in Yangon. But in my third year, I got sick with kidney problems. Doctors thought I wouldn’t make it. But through prayers from my family and church, I recovered miraculously. I felt God had a purpose for me, so I dedicated my life to serving him.
After college, I went to Malaysia to help Myanmarese refugees. I shared the gospel with them through meetings, giving out pamphlets, and knocking on doors. Seeing how God opened doors for me to share his message was amazing.
Ministry Training for God’s Call
My biggest dream is to know God better and help others find him. When I came to the USA, I wanted to attend Bible college, but money was tight. Then, a friend told me about the Christian Leader Institute online. It was an answer to my prayers. Through their classes, I’ve learned more about God and felt his love and grace. I’m grateful for this opportunity to get ministry training for God’s call. It will make me a better leader for my church and help me bring more people to God.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
My name is Dawn Fuhrman. I grew up in New Jersey, but now live in Pennsylvania. Married for 31 years, we have three children, one of whom we adopted. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and want to use that education to serve the Lord by becoming a minister. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute because I am called and want to be equipped to serve God in ministry.
Study at CLI
Being a student now is easier than when I was in college as a young woman. I want and crave to learn. Furthermore, I want to learn more about God and how I can bring others closer to Him. I am pleased that it is a self-paced school, all online. I study when I can focus and when my family does not need me. The free courses do not strain our family finances, so returning to school is not a burden, but a joy. The ability to receive a scholarship keeps the option of a Bachelor’s degree in ministry open for me in the future. I am excited to become an Ordained Chaplain Minister and eventually open my own Soul Center to provide for my community. God called me and the training at CLI equipped me to serve God wherever He leads.
My Journey to Study
I grew up with Jesus in my life and received a religious education until I was in high school. Eventually, I became a Religious Education teacher myself. I always had a strong faith. My mother always encouraged me to have a close relationship with Jesus. I, like most teens, strayed from my faith for a time. But, I returned when I matured and realized how much I missed having a relationship with God. I also wanted to raise my children in the faith.
Since then, I have studied the Bible as much as possible and joined a Bible study group to continue and deepen my studies. I dream of running a Bible study, being an effective minister, and opening a Soul Center. Then, I can help those in my community feel love and acceptance and have a relationship with Jesus.
My Turning Point
I think the time Jesus was the most prevalent in my life was when my 8-year-old son passed away. If you have read the poem Footprints, you will understand when I say Jesus carried me that year. I turned to God to help me find my way out of that darkness. I never lost my faith or struggled with it during that time. However, I would not be who I am today without it. Nor would I have made it through strong enough to adopt a son out of foster care later. That is when God started to call me to help others. Now, that little boy, our son we adopted, is 14, and I am being called to help others outside of my home.
Called and Equipped to Serve God through Ministry Training at CLI
I hope the free training and classes I take at the Christian Leader Institute will equip me for God’s call to help others. It will give me the knowledge, confidence, and support I need to become a minister who makes a difference in other’s lives. With the CLI ministry training, I can lead a meaningful Bible study that others will return to, enjoy, and be encouraged to study independently. The CLI ministry training will help me show others that being a leader is attainable. I want to encourage them to follow their callings as well.
I look forward to officiating weddings and baptisms. Further, I look forward to ministering to others and achieving my spiritual dreams. But most of all, I look forward to helping others develop a relationship with Jesus. Thank you, CLI, for this opportunity to study!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.