Michael’s spiritual journey began at the age of 10 when he first stepped into a church and joined the children’s choir. Follow his inspiring testimony and see how he intends to use his unique skills to promote Christian Ministries through the media and mentorship.
MICHAEL WESONGA ODHIAMBO’S SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
My name is Michael Wesonga Odhiambo. I was born in Kenya’s Capital Nairobi. But we moved to the western part of the country in my father’s homeland of Busia County when I was 14 years old. I currently live in Kitale Town Trans Nzoia County.
The first step of my spiritual journey is when I joined the Sunday School class of Rhema Fellowship International. I was ten years old. I didn’t have much experience with the church before that. Immediately, I enrolled in the Sunday school choir. Occasionally, we did radio shows for Sunday School children at the Transworld radio studios at Hurlingham. We also did missions and even performed at outdoor meetings like crusades.
I kept a low profile for quite some time while in Busia where I joined Deliverance Church in 1999. This church is where I was attending until after the Holy Ghost filled me at a youth meeting in 2003. Then, I was encouraged to take an active role in our churches. I had been attending choir practice, but I never actually participated in active ministry on Sundays.
The Holy Spirit’s infilling in my spiritual journey completely revolutionized my life. I have never looked back to date. God is real to me, and I now serve Him whole-heartedly based on faith and trust in Him. I am a trained journalism and communication expert and work in the media, evangelism, music, instruments, and interpretation departments.
Next Steps on my Spiritual Journey
Kenya is a predominantly Christian state and therefore Christian leaders are highly regarded. I find it a privilege to serve under such circumstances and strive to render acceptable and pleasing service to the Lord Jesus Christ. My desire is promoting Christian Ministries through media, mentoring true worshippers and worship leaders, and promoting prayer in the Body of Christ.
The greatest challenge I have encountered in my spiritual journey as a Christian has been lack of mentorship. The death of my spiritual father in 2010 created a gap in my life that has taken too long to refill. But thank God, that happened in 2019. Otherwise, my steady spiritual growth can be attributed to listening to numerous preachers online and reading books.
I hope to use the training I at Christian Leaders Institute to sharpen my skills as a Christian Leader and help my ministry projects be fruitful. The free training could not come at a better time than this on my spiritual journey. First of all, I am going through significant challenges, key among them being finances. This fact means it would take me quite a while if I were to progress in ministerial training anywhere else as it would have to wait until I am financially stable. I don’t know when that will be. Secondly, as a bi-vocational leader, I report to work five days a week. That makes Saturday the only relatively available day. So, this is where CLI’s system of training becomes handy as I can progress with studies at my own pace.
Learn about Ecuministry Ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Service Education
My name is Paulina. I am receiving Christian service education with Christian Leaders Institute. The Treasure Coast of Florida in the USA is where I live. I am grateful for Christian Leaders Institute to help further God’s plan for the disabled, homebound, retired, and seniors. To be a Christian life coach who spreads the Good News is my hope. I love to write and blog for family-friendly websites. To add a stronger Christian touch to this through CLI training is fantastic!
My mother raised me, my sisters, and my brother in a small town in the Catholic church. I felt God’s Holy Spirit in my youth and helped others through Youth ministry and into adult life. It was a blessing for my family to have Christian roots planted in our lives with a genuine love for our church and community.
Technology makes it possible to further our studies and help others throughout the world. I am blessed to be a part of strengthening this online ministry with CLI. This work is appropriate for everyone including volunteer retirees, homebound disabled, or those new to Christ to become competent through high-quality education at CLI. There is a need for educated ministers online and in the church today to rise above the dark side of the internet. There is a need for Christian writers, bloggers, and English teachers online.
CLI has well-educated, humble, and relatable professors. I could feel the Holy Spirit speak through them. I felt engaged and blessed listening to their testimonies while learning the Bible. They remind us they are merely humans tested along with us on God’s journey. They do this while giving us the spiritual armor needed to deal with the enemy in our lives on a daily basis.
Small Group Ministry
I identify with Small Group Leader both in church and online. I want to serve the less fortunate, disabled, retired, and elderly. To help them to connect with their family and friends, old and new.
My life’s direction has turned toward using my computer education to serve others online. I do this service through church administration and online ministry to the disabled, retired, and elderly. There are ways to brighten an older person’s day by connecting them with family and friends using webcams, smartphones, and new technology. I have a way to help the homebound have their church at home through internet broadcasts.
The challenges are making technology available to them. And then, educating them, being there for them, and helping them be a part of the church. Local churches teach others about the resources made available to them in public places such as libraries, employment workforce offices, and free, open mental health peer mentor centers.
This opportunity to study at CLI for my service education is an integral part of my life now. CLI has caring, educated professors who help others find Jesus Christ through high-quality Bible teaching. I needed this Christian devotion added to my daily studies. It provides meaning and purpose for my calling which will then spread to my workplace. I can share the Good News and a love for all those serving in God’s kingdom.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Completing his studies at CLI will be the final piece of the puzzle for Sam Atwell. It allows him to get the training needed for his youth leader validation journey.
Youth Leader Validation: Final Piece to the Puzzle
My name is Sam Atwell. I was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and I now live in Olathe, Kansas. My wife of 30 years, Dawn and I have three daughters and a son. Samantha and Amber are twins and they are both school teachers. My other daughter just graduated from college with her degree in psychology. My son Kyle lives in Austin, Texas, and he is a graphic designer for a church app company.
I am a bi-vocational Children’s Pastor at Hope Alive Church in Overland Park, Kansas. My service there has been for six years. Working at a local television station in Kansas City is another one of my jobs.
I was raised in the church and never left. I was inspired to work with youngsters by my children’s church leader when I was a child. She devoted her life to working with kids, and she left a lasting impression on my life. It was recently my honor to teach her great-grandchildren on Easter Sunday 2018.
In my teen years, I worked with children’s ministries and took on a bus route. We brought in between 75 – 100 kids a week. Shortly after my marriage, my wife and I worked at several small churches over the next few years.
Over the 30 plus years that I worked with kids, I believe that church should be fun, exciting and engaging. Then, children can have a dynamic and powerful relationship with Jesus through worship and the authoritative word of God. Children will be equipped to grow in Christ through fun and captivating atmosphere. I want them to know that they can trust God no matter what.
Ministry Training Journey
Since starting at Christian Leaders Institute, it has been the beginning of my youth leader validation journey. CLI offers the training that I have always wanted to receive but was never able to acquire. The classes have helped solidify my call and my leadership abilities. They renewed my desire for personal devotion, Bible study, and prayer.
Youth leader is the ministry word I identify with. I desire to invest in the next generation and help them to find out who they are in the Lord and to understand what God has for them. It is a blessing to be able to have my daughters serve in ministry with me. Having a church that supports my vision and mission for the students at our church is also wonderful.
Completing my studies at CLI is the final piece of the puzzle for me to be the best leader and to accomplish what God has called me to at Hope Alive Church.
Learn about Ecuministry Ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.