“I want to become a Minister in the Lord’s army, carrying the torch of faith and salvation to all the corners of the world. And my minister journey begins here at CLI”
Minister Journey Of Life Thus Far
My name is Edward Ogbebor and this is my minister journey of life. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria to parents who were both Christians. My Dad was Catholic and my Mom was Baptist at the time, even though she left that denomination later on in life. They took perfect care of us with love and understanding. I come from a family of four (two brothers, and a sister), and we grew up very close in a well-loved family. I have a certificate in Computer Info Systems and a BA in International Business Administration. My Dad passed away in 2016 (on my birthday) which was very devastating for our entire family.
I’m a single Dad with three children who live with me. My wife left us just a year after my dad passed on, after 3 years of quite a tumultuous relationship. We were together for 13 years and were quite young when we got together. Our immaturity, especially mine, played a huge part in our separation. It was the most difficult time in my life. At times, the will to go on was gone and I was broken and alone, with 3 very young children who looked up to me. I was also unemployed at the time. The company I invested 4 hard working years of my life in folded up and returned to Baltimore after citing unfavorable economic conditions in the country. I didn’t fall into a depression. I can’t explain it, but there was this guiding force of God, that kept me together. It has been over a year now since I’ve been separated, and when I look back, I can’t believe I made it this far.
I encountered God in March of 2004. I had fallen very ill and was admitted to the hospital. I was there for almost 2 months with no visible signs of improvement. It was on a Sunday morning around 4:00 am when the TV in the room woke me up from a deep sleep and a minister of God was preaching. I recall him talking about how Jesus Christ had healed many sick and even raised dead people during His ministry on earth. He proclaimed that I too could receive the miracle if I gave my life to the Lord and confessed in faith that He is my Lord and Savior. I was so moved by his words along with the promise that he shared. I wept and gave my life to Jesus Christ. Not more than 48 hrs after that sermon, I discharged myself from the hospital without informing my parents and walked all the way home from the hospital exit terminal, which was about a quarter of a mile journey. I was completely pain-free and strong.
A couple of years after that I met my wife and got accepted into the American Intercontinental University in London to study business. Somewhere along the way, I lost touch with my salvation. I was engulfed in the world. Don’t get me wrong, my moral compass is preset by default towards a good disposition. That comes from my parents loving upbringing, entrenching in our minds the virtue of having a balanced, level character. But I was far from God. I stopped reading my Bible even though it was always on my bed. I hardly prayed and altogether stopped attending church.
I completed my degree and returned to my country in the early part of this decade. I have known NO peace or been totally happy since then. In May of this year, I rededicated my life to God and promised I would commit my life to His calling. You see, I realized God had always called me to the ministry, but I did not believe I was up to the call or capable of ascending to such a role. I saw myself as inadequate even though deep down inside I know that I am blessed with talents and gifts from God.
I got a job in May with an NGO that helps young entrepreneurs actualize their businesses. Under two months in the company, I got a promotion. It’s not been easy. There are days when I feel down, but I count it all joy because I know God is working something wonderful.
I want to spend the remaining years of my time in this world to work for God. He has given me everything I ever wanted, what have I given back? Not enough! I love helping people, and there’s no question in my mind that I can help advance the Lord’s kingdom with the Lord leading me.
I’m excited about the Christian Leaders Institute. Sometimes, I believe its too good to be true. But I thank God and the leaders at CLI for this wonderful opportunity to learn and grow in the Lord on my minister journey.
I want to become a minister in the Lord’s army, carrying the torch of faith and salvation to all the corners of the world. And my minister journey begins here…at CLI.
Learn how to become Ordained at Christian Leaders Alliance
Extraordinary Love of God
My name is Christine Vogt and the extraordinary love of God is calling me to serve. I reside in Georgia, USA. I grew up in a home where faith was not a high priority. The prevailing Catholic rituals for a young person were upheld, so I learned a small amount of scripture during catechism and the occasional Christmas Eve Mass. I lived a young life of searching for approval, acceptance, and love through all of the earthly things that seem to satisfy a soul but leave it emptier than ever before.
It wasn’t until I was 16 years old that I was invited to an Assembly of God church by my manager. She, bless her heart, had to invite me several more times before I surrendered my preconceived notions of church and allowed the Holy Spirit to speak to my vulnerable heart. The events of the night are a bit of a blur when I wish they were as vivid as a Minnesota sunset. But alas, I specifically remember hearing the pastor extend a call to those who were in midst of a struggle, and that wasn’t me. Then an offer to those bound by the chains of addictions, nope, not me. An invitation to those at rock bottom. Still. Not. Me. And then a gentle tug for those that simply had never asked Jesus in to fill that God-shaped hole in their heart. ME! That was me! I stood and seemingly floated to the altar because I don’t recall walking and asked Jesus to take over ownership of my life. It was a whirl, a buzz, a soft crescendo that ushered in a new way of life for me.
Since faith was a non-topic in my family, it also wasn’t taboo and I openly shared my new found Savior with everyone. I even made my sweet but resistant Grandma listen to Carmen, DC Talk, and Steven Curtis Chapman. I met with what I would call “good for you, but not for me” responses from my family. But I don’t think I knew until years later, the gravity of holding the answer to a question they refused to ask.
Shortly after my acceptance to the offer of salvation, I began volunteering at the church’s social club where I met my future husband when he visited for a Battle of the Bands. That love story is one for the ages, but the greatest love story, the one between God and humanity, is the reason I’m here today and studying at Christian Leaders Institute. I didn’t know the extent of my brokenness and the glorious way He would, with expert precision, expose and then suture my fragmented heart. But He did and has been weaving the tapestry of my life for 28 years. Our journey has been treacherous at times and at others a magnificent expedition, but through it all, I have come to know there is no beginning and surely no end to God’s very own approval, acceptance, and extraordinary love for me. And I am grateful.
Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.