Ministry Calling Is Not To Be Denied
Hello, my name is Bill Lloyd. I reside in Colorado with my wonderful wife of 31 years, Janna. We have four incredible children. Recently, my daughter and her fiance asked me to officiate their wedding. Therefore, I am becoming a licensed wedding officiant through training at the Christian Leaders Institute.
My Calling Journey
I grew up in NE Pennsylvania. Baptized as an infant in the Catholic church, I attended 12 years of Catholic grade school and high school. I knew who Jesus was, His birth, life, miracles, death, and resurrection. However, I never spent my time in the Word, nor did I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I went on to obtain my engineering degree and quit attending church, though I know now that God wasn’t through with me.
Fast forward to 1992, I am 33 years old, recently married, and my wife is pregnant with our first child. At 26 weeks, she suddenly went into preterm labor. It became so severe they admitted her to the hospital on complete bed rest and constant injections of terbutaline to stop the contractions. Blood work confirmed our baby’s lung development was not sufficient.
God at Work
After six weeks of battling contractions, injections, and our baby’s insistence on making an early entrance, I found myself at the door of the hospital chapel. I knew we needed divine intervention. So, on my knees, I made a promise to God. I said, “Lord, if you let us have this baby, I promise to return him as an angel to you.” That might seem like a somewhat silly prayer. However, God heard my sincere plea for His gracious intervention. Our healthy son, Conner, entered the world two days later, but God wasn’t done.
Six months later, I took a job for a friend of mine in Montana. I didn’t know he and his family were Christians at the time. Since my family and home were still in Colorado, he invited me to stay with them while we looked for our new house. With that came prayer at meals and attending church. Most importantly, there were late-night talks about God and Jesus and Bible readings. These ultimately led me to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior and have a new life in Him. Janna grew up in a Christian home. Therefore, we began our “newness” in Christ with our family.
God’s Calling
Fast forward to 2023. Now retired, and several things recently made me realize that God is calling me to glorify Him in other ways. I had been asked to read scripture in church temporarily at first. However, recently, they asked me to take over that ministry.
Then, after church one Sunday, a sister in Christ asked if I would officiate her father-in-law’s funeral. My spontaneous response was, “Oh, no, Sally. I’ve never done that before and don’t feel remotely qualified to do that.” She was disappointed. Then, as she continued to talk with Janna, I heard clearly from God, “Yes, you will, Bill. You will use this to bring glory to my name and tell others about Me.” She burst into tears when I abruptly told Sally I would do it. It was exciting and honoring to bring glory to Jesus and hope to a large group of hurting people.
Becoming a Licensed Wedding Officiant
Shortly after that, my daughter and her fiancé said they wanted to be married in Mexico. I had spent 27 years dreading how much I would lose my composure when my daughter married. However, at that point, God once again spoke to me. He told me I was to officiate her wedding to bring Him glory and to ensure they were married in His sight. What a blessing! We are all so excited for this. I’m pretty sure He’ll help me hold it together!
We often hear that God works in mysterious ways. However, if we are obedient and join Him in the work He calls us to, it may be mysterious, but it sure is exciting! For this reason, I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute. I am becoming a Licensed Christian wedding officiant through the ministry training course at CLI. Who knows where else God will lead this obedient servant?!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
Hello, my name is Haven Rockthunder. I have a ministry dream to reach out to others and lead them to the Lord. That is why I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute because God calls me to pastoral or chaplaincy ministry.
My Story
I grew up and live in Saskatchewan, Canada. I have no husband or children yet. However, I have a cat I love. I’m First Nation; the people who were here before the settlers came to Canada.
My life was never perfect. I came from a broken family. I went through trauma as a child and had my heart hurt, broken, and torn apart. Often, I struggled with feeling I belonged and was loved and accepted. I did things to help with “protecting” myself. As a teenager, I went to other things as a way to feel wanted, loved, and accepted. I struggled with my self-esteem and was very shy. Further, I fought anxiety throughout my life. But the Lord took me out of my bad situation. He was there for me when I was a child and still is here for me.
Called to Pastoral or Chaplaincy Ministry
God called me to pastoral or chaplaincy ministry. I want to lead people to Christ and make a place that’s safe for all to come. People need to know the truth and the good news before it’s too late. I want people to know that there is hope, someone who loves them, and a way out of bad situations if you know Jesus Christ. Because the Lord hears my cries, He hears yours. He will help you!
Thanks, CLI, for making my ministry dream possible!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
My name is Able Khumbulani Moyo. I am from Bulawayo City in Zimbabwe. I am a student of the Christian Leaders Institute with its tuition-free ministry studies. God is preparing me for further ministry service.
Growing Up as a Pastor’s Child
Being a pastor’s child is a “testimony” that no one can understand from the setting of everyday life. Many people in the church and the world have their beliefs about the well-being and lives of the pastor’s children. Although everybody has a different story impacted significantly by multiple people, I want to shape your perception of “Pastor’s Kids.”
Growing up with fathers as pastors influence our lives and our walks with the Lord. The same person takes care of us and raises us. We see the good and bad sides of that person. That person is also the pastor and leader we seek to learn from at church. It can be an interesting dynamic. Pastors are held to such a high standard. But in reality, they are humans like everybody else. It just so happens that their job is to teach the Word of the Lord to others. Far too often, kids see their parents, especially those in the ministry, as perfect and without flaw. Kids are then left to deal with the shock when they discover that their “perfect parent” isn’t perfect.
The Shining Light
One evening, I was sent to go and close the church windows with my cousin. Usually, my father would send us to close the doors and windows. However, on this particular evening, God dazzled me with a brilliant light in the dark hall. Since it was a rural setting, we had no lights in the building. Only in grade five, I was afraid of darkness as a child. I was on my knees when I heard a voice calling my name. In fear, I sprang to my feet and ran out of the church building, thinking I had heard and seen a ghost. When I asked my cousin if he had witnessed the light, he had not and thought I was lying. After that, I gave my life to Jesus and committed to serving God as a pastor like my parents.
The Journey
As I grew up, life became more challenging in our country, so I went to work in the neighboring country of South Africa. I was lost completely. My life changed, and I indulged in sin. I drank like a fish, smoked, chased after women, and gambled. It was a lifestyle I had never seen or known. However, amid all the chaos that surrounded me, the light of God shone again with intensity. I heard a voice calling my name again!
Tuition-Free Ministry Studies
John 8:12 says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” After many attempts to enroll as a student to train to be a Pastor at my parent’s church, I was let down. Then, I discovered the Christian Leaders Institute through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I started my tuition-free ministry studies, taking the quizzes and getting awards. Inspired, my spirit was reborn in the light of the true gospel of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Recently, God spoke to me in my sleep and gave me the name of a Ministry: The Covenant of Christ Ministries. I plan to launch it as a platform for many to come and see what the light of Christ Jesus has done for the world.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.