Christian Leader Journey
My name is Sheila Rusche and I have been on a Christian leader journey. I was born and raised in a small town in Mississippi. I love the small town life! One benefit is that everyone knows everybody. One downfall is that most people know more about you than you know about yourself. There’s also a lot of Christians here, but for many of them, it’s just a title they claim.
I was raised going to church, so I’ve always known about Christ. But it was later on in life that He became real to me. I grew up in a very abusive household and I found all the wrong ways to escape my hurt. At 13, I was addicted to drugs and didn’t get sober until I was 18. At 17, I fell into the arms of an abusive man. It took 16 years to get out. I tried to leave many times but he was relentless. The harassment, stalking, attempts on my life… it was safer to go back to him (I’m kinda struggling with this part). But, it was during that relationship that I really sold out to God.
As a child, I knew there was a calling on my life. But I didn’t really understand it and I wasn’t ready to take on that responsibility. So I ran from it for a long time. The first time I got saved I was 12. When I was 25, I rededicated my life to Christ and that’s when I knew I needed Him. I needed Him to get me out of the hell I had gotten myself into. I knew the only way I could escape my now ex-husband was with God’s help. I knew I wanted to raise my kids as Christians because I didn’t want them to make the mistakes I had made.
For the last ten years of my Christian leader journey, I’ve been happily married to my best friend. We’ve been Youth Leaders in our church. We’ve done so many outreaches and life is just amazing! I do have some health problems that have limited my ability to go to college. I think it’s essential that we learn as much as we can and get all the training we can get so that we can help others. I see so many damaged, broken kids and they need someone to step up and say, ‘I care. Let me help you!’ With free ministry training at Christian Leaders Institute, I will be better equipped to serve for the Lord.
Learn about ministry ordination with Christian Leaders Alliance.
“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
