Free Christian College Courses
My name is Shirley Guidry, and I am taking free Christian college courses at Christian Leaders Institute. I am from the United States of America. Growing up, I was part of a family that did not attend church. I have felt the need for something more my whole life. I have felt God’s wooing, gently pushing me to seek Him. I attended church as a young adult with my neighbors. But as I went through a difficult marriage, I strayed away from the church.
I have been attending church with my new family for the last twenty years. My ministry at my local church has been assisting in leading children’s services. Also, I have led funeral services for family members. After beginning the Christian Leaders Institute’s ministry training, I was invited to Walk to Emmaus. What an eye-opening experience that was for me! My husband and father-in-law are both attending next month, and I give thanks to God for this development!
I am still not sure exactly where God is leading me, but I feel His constant tug on my heart. I am gaining so much more knowledge working through these Christian Leaders Institute free Christian college courses. They are preparing me for wherever He is leading me. Thanks, CLI, for this wonderful opportunity! Many blessings to you all!
Learn about minister ordination opportunities at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Leadership Training Impact
Most of my ministry has been from a music and worship perspective. Even though my denomination does not ordain worship leaders, I found it essential that I seek a pastoral perspective on my ministry work. Following this leadership training impact class at Christian Leaders Institute, I would say that worship leaders need to rally the people every week into a meaningful worship relationship with God. However, I have found my calling in recent times heading in a new direction. It is more toward Bible education, hospital chaplaincy, and administrative leadership.
This class on leadership training impact could not have come at a better time. My church’s attendance is on the decline. Therefore, we are facing the longevity challenges that many congregations in the United States have. However, we have some significant benevolence ministries currently in progress that are making a substantial impact on our community.
Our neighborhood is one that was a symbol of economic prominence in our city, but it is now the poorest. Therefore, we explored the creation of a new mission statement to help us sustain the excellent work we are doing. Our congregation is populated mostly by people in poverty who can no longer help us pay the bills to maintain ourselves.
Practical Application of Leadership Training Impact
This class has given me useful tools to apply to vision committee meetings. I have an opportunity to apply Pastor Ballast’s concepts in real time. Being able to offer sound advice to the people participating in this reconstruction effort has been a blessing. I have seen all the good ideas and all the objections to change. But the Holy Spirit works to change hearts as needed to hear God’s will in our situation.
One particularly impacting story from Pastor Ballast’s presentation was that of an aging congregation which hired a vision consultant. The consultant outlined what they would need to grow, and yet they decided they were too old to follow this plan. They were happy to continue the status quo as a church family until all the congregation had passed on of old age.
In many ways, I see this could be a viable option for my current congregation. An aggressive evangelical campaign to grow our church would demand that we change many things we like. We love our older style worship and recognize that it is an “old wine” worth preserving (Luke 5:36-39). We have our relationships with each other and are thankful for our current leaders. Mostly, we are proud of the food ministries that make a tangible impact on our community. We do not want them endangered by any dramatic vision changes. However, we need money to continue those ministries and await God’s voice for how to address that need.
In the future, I look forward to applying these concepts to whatever church God leads me to minister. Where will God send me next? What will be the most significant resources available and the greatest needs of the community? Very exciting to see what God will do with me next as I am open to him using me!
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Free Ministry Leadership Training
My name is Peter Verhelst, and I am receiving free ministry leadership training at CLI. I live in Manitoba, Canada. I was born in the Netherlands, and I lived there with my family until I was nine years old. At that time, my father moved us out of that country to escape his sexual past. I started school in Canada in the third grade, learning a new language in the process. While yet in the old country at the tender age of seven or eight, my mother showed me my baby sister’s privates and explained how they would develop. I struggled with a life of sexual sin after that.
That life of sin prevented me from understanding God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Even though I went to my church and heard the gospel preached, it never touched me. So, I went looking for peace of mind in other venues. In my adult life, I sought preachers who could explain the gospel to me.
Over the years, I received help from the different pastors God sent me. I now know and embrace the saved status that God has given me because of Christ’s accomplishments (Colossians 1:22). Since then, I am finally able to deal with my sexual urges as well. Praise His holy name!
Prison Ministry Opportunity
Years ago, my former pastor took me along to a prison ministry. On our first time, he told me this one was a free go. I asked him what that meant?! He said I was allowed to see how things were done and the next time I would have to present a message. The rest is history. I have been going since 2002.
Recently, we have added a Bible study every Thursday evening at the prison. The prisoners come, and we reflect on a passage of Scripture for about an hour. This study time has become such an abundant blessing to the inmates. When we meet them on the outside, they tell us how much they miss the Thursday evening Bible study. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
With adding the Bible Study, I wanted to be more knowledgeable as a leader. I am thankful that I found the Christian Leaders Institute. Now, I study the ministry leadership training for free. I can grow in my biblical knowledge and as a leader in ministry opportunities.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.