Free Bible College Studies
My name is Tristin Griffin. I am from Australia. Here is the story of my journey with the Lord. My spiritual journey brought me to free Bible college studies at Christian Leaders Institute. I am very grateful for this opportunity for free Bible college studies.
Medical Struggles
In December of 2005, I had a neurological failure which resulted in multiple organ failure. My liver, pancreas, and spleen stopped functioning normally, and I had several minor heart attacks and seizures. I lost mobility due to nerve damage in my right leg and gained a sporadic tremor in my hands. I was in and out of the hospital for the next four years. My marriage broke down resulting in divorce. My wife at the time could not handle the lifestyle change and extreme physical transformation and pressure. I remember passing at one point at the hospital. I’ve since read many people’s near-death experiences. For me, there was nothingness. I knew where I was, and I knew that the life I had led up to that point had brought me there.
By March 15, 2009, my health had declined to a point where the doctors said, “There’s no easy way to say this, you have three years to live. You need to get your affairs sorted out.” After that, they discharged me.
A New Perspective
This news put everything into a new perspective for me. What was it that I wanted to do with the rest of my life? I left Lismore and moved to Grafton. I spent the next few months learning to walk again by first picking a coin up off the floor. Then, I began walking to a corner store 50 meters away. After doing that for a bit, I purchased a bike and started to ride to the corner store. It was difficult as I also had middle ear damage which gave me constant vertigo (the sensation of spinning). During this time, I also established a computer game company, working as a freelance programmer.
Once I was able to ride a bike to the corner store, I purchased a car. Soon, I began driving around Australia. Financially, I was able to work wherever there was an internet connection. So, usually a day or two at a time, I worked. The rest of the time I spent sightseeing and searching. This journey took me a year and a half. It was on this journey that my life’s purpose became clear to me. I had a Bible with me, one I received at birth. As my trip was coming to a close, I thought, “What is next? What legacy am I leaving behind?” I had lost everything and was homeless, living in my car.
New Beginnings
Shortly after, I rushed back for the birth of my nephew. I visited my parents and needed somewhere to stay. So, I drove through Kingscliff and saw a room for rent. I rented the place and moved in that same day. The following day, I went to the local cafe to see if there was an art course. They didn’t have one, but there was one in the nearby town of Murwillumbah, and I could start the next day.
It is there that I met my wife, Marija. A few weeks later, we began dating on the condition that I go to church. Previously, I had a negative experience with the church. After all, they are filled with imperfect people. However, it was there that I surrendered the remainder of my life to God.
Fast forward a year, Marija and I were married. Then, nine months later, we had our daughter Belle. I received water baptism at this time. When I rose out of the water, I saw the world with a new perception. It was after this baptism that my life transformed. I can only describe it as a rollercoaster adventure. Even my art instantly changed, my work took on a more in-depth exploration. There was a yearning in the core of my being I expressed through my art.
Free Bible College Studies at CLI
After we relocated to Armidale from Kingscliff, I felt the call to take courses at a Bible college. I began my free Bible college studies with Christian Leaders Institute in 2018 and completed the certificate course later that year. This period was spent dedicating most available time to Bible study. I was able to spend time meditating on the free Bible college studies I took. I genuinely felt my mind and heart changing. It felt as though my mind was being rewired for God’s purpose in my life. I began to process my past. I felt a new appreciation and gratitude for my present circumstance. God has blessed me with my wife and our children, my family, and our new church family.
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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!
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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!
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