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.
“Lynette’s testimony tells us about her significant work as a teacher. She has been preparing others in South African churches to become effective Sunday School teachers through further teacher training.”
Teacher Training in South Africa
Hi, my name is Lynette Koekemoer, and I am receiving deeper teacher training at Christian Leaders Institute. I live in the Gauteng region of South Africa. I gave my life to Jesus at the young age of 13 and have always been interested in studying the Word of God. When I finished Matric, I went to “Youth With a Mission” on a discipleship course which was for six months. But, in the end, I left to find a job and support myself.
Then, I went into church Sunday School work. I ended up training Sunday School teachers how to teach through an organization called the “South African National Sunday School Association”. This organization works with all churches who want teacher training for their Sunday School teachers. Life carried on, and soon, I got married. But, sadly, my husband died. Then over the next ten years, I took care of my parents until they passed on.
I always wanted to continue my studies to teach biblical truth, but I could not afford to do it. While I was searching on the internet, God answered my prayers and led me to Christian Leaders Institute. It has not been easy for me since I only have my phone on which to do all my studies.
Since starting the course with CLI, I can see the growth in me. The last lesson about the dark side of leadership really spoke to and challenged me. With God’s help, I believe this is the place for me.
Discover how you can receive local ecuministry ordination and become ordained at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Study Dreams
My name is Michael Edwin Schooley. My study dreams are being realized at Christian Leaders Institute. I was born in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, the USA in 1996. Growing up, my family served diligently in church. Mom was a Sunday school teacher, and my Dad usually was on the worship team. Jesus was not just a Sunday subject in our home. There has not been a day that Jesus was not brought up in family discussions as well as Bible studies. I knew I needed Christ at six and gave my heart to him. To serve God, I felt a need to start by offering my servitude to my fellow man.
Jesus was in my thoughts daily. I longed all through school to seek after him. I also felt the world’s pressure to be “normal.” Sin was and is something of which I have always been very conscious. My friends never thought that they were doing wrong when I did. God has shown me through my past sins more and more why I need him. I know He will continue to show me my need for Him until my last breath.
Overcoming Learning Disabilities
I finished reading the Bible all the way through when I was twenty. This feat is a big deal to me. Growing up, I discovered I had learning disabilities in reading. God helped to grow in me a love for reading despite this fact. This love for reading gave me the ability to read His word.
I never felt I have a powerful testimony. All I can say is I have always known my wrongs. Jesus did too, and He died and rose from the dead knowing my sins and loving a sinner like me. I hope and pray God blesses my fellow brothers and sisters with joy and peace through my testimony of his unfailing love for me and you.
Now, I am taking these free online ministry training classes at Christian Leaders Institute. God has a plan for my life, and I am eager to serve where he leads me. Thank you, CLI, for this opportunity.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.