Total Surrender to God
My name is Leonila Ganir from Saskatchewan, Canada. However, my country of origin is the Philippines. I am currently running an approved home to look after adults with mental health issues and drug addictions. I am also a Small Group leader and Children’s Bible teacher. Being a student at the Christian Leaders Institute equips me with Bible knowledge and ministry confidence in sharing about God.
My Story
Growing up, I went to a Catholic church in our local area run by nuns and a priest. My parents nurtured me and taught me about Jesus. However, no one in our family read the Scripture. In the year 2005, I totally ignored the teaching of my parents and went my own way. I lived with my boyfriend. We continually sinned against God for almost three years. However, God loves me and that is why He exposed what I was doing in secret.
In Romans 3:23, it says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God (ESV).” I also know God saved me by grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” I have the confidence of salvation because Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Now married for 16 years, we have three boys. We serve God in our local church, together with our kids. God uses me as a Small Group Leader and a Children Bible teacher. In my weakness He restored me. I didn’t deserve a gift, but He is faithful to give me the gift of salvation! In response to that gift, I live every aspect of my life to the glory of God and used by Him all the days of my life. I surrender daily to His will.
Bible Knowledge and Ministry Confidence
I thank my Pastor as she mentors me and is instrumental in my spiritual growth. I am also thankful to the Christian Leaders Institute. The Bible knowledge and ministry confidence learned at CLI help me to share God’s Word more effectively with my small group and the children at our church.
May my testimony draw you closer to God. I pray that you believe and receive Jesus in your life. Pray and ask God to forgive you. Once I was lost, but now I am found, and I am all His!
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 Credentialing (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, I am Jason Fisher. Married to my beautiful wife of 20 years, we have six amazing children and one granddaughter that lights up a room with her smile. I am also studying at the Christian Leaders Institute. The marriage ministry education and Bible training at CLI are what I need for my calling from God.
Being born in Texas, I was a Christian from birth, or at least that’s what I thought. My spiritual journey was very lukewarm as a kid and carried over as an adult. Going to church and bragging about being there was good enough for me. I drank, but at least I went to church. Although I lusted, at least I went to church. I turned my vehicles into idols, but at least I went to church.
The Cleansing
I call it the cleansing because the Bible says that fire represents God’s purification and cleansing. I was a selfish man that only focused on my pleasures. A drunkard, I wasn’t happy until I had a beer in my hand. Very prideful, I lived a fake life.
Furthermore, I made some decisions that almost cost me my family. They moved eight hours away, and I was alone. Two months later, they came back. My wife and I began to work on restoring our marriage. A month after that, our lives changed forever. The house we built, our forever home, burned to the ground.
As I tried to fix everything I messed up, God showed me that He was the one to repair my brokenness. As I walked through the house, I saw crosses untouched by the fire. I saw Bibles untouched by the flames. I went to my closet where my guns and ammo were stored and saw my dad’s Bible still intact next to a melted ammo can. Why did God let this happen? Why was my family being punished for my sins?
The Understanding
My family and I were living in a travel trailer set in front of our burned down home. Still hanging onto my sins and clinging to the fact that, “I got this,” God showed me again that I did not. I still fought with God, still lied to my wife, and our family went through a separation and a house fire. Then, my wife’s brother passed away at 35 years old, and my wife needed emergency surgery. When I finally submitted, it was not willingly as someone would break a stubborn donkey. “Give it to God” was always thrown around like a catch phrase. However, when I gave it to God, things changed. God had to break me to get me to understand. I am thankful for my trials and for what God took me through.
Marriage Ministry Education
Since then, God called my wife and I to marriage ministry. Even though I never thought I would be called to marriage ministry, God called us. Because of my trials and the fire, we can help others learn from our mistakes. I had men at work reach out to me and ask for guidance because they knew the storms I survived. My wife and I also work with a local church on helping restore marriages. It is through God we are able to help. God is using our story to help others.
The marriage ministry education offered at the Christian Leaders Institute is what I need to be equipped to minister. I am excited to see where God leads us as we follow and serve Him in this ministry!
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 Credentialing (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.
Victory in the Lord
Greetings in Jesus’ name. I am Belle Fuentes. My husband and I and our two children reside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ministry and Bible knowledge classes at the Christian Leaders Institute help me to grow and learn to be a better small group leader.
I came to Canada as an independent immigrant in 1997. After 3 ½ years, I became a Canadian citizen. I was a very devoted Catholic, following the rituals religiously. I knew that was the right way to please God and feel good. However, the truth is that I was a prideful, critical, and introverted person. My faith and trust in the Lord were zero.
My Encounters with Jesus Christ
One day, my sister, a Christian, visited me at my place after her regular Bible study. She shared with me about Jesus, His love, and salvation. However, it felt vague, and I didn’t understand how this man, Jesus, loved me and died for my sin. She shared John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” As I was open, my sister regularly shared time with me.
Therefore, one day, I got the news about the war between Iran and Iraq. Any sea vessels crossing the Persian Gulf would be destroyed by bombs. My husband worked as a marine engineer on a cargo ship. There was no other way to reach their prescribed destination except by crossing the Persian Gulf. Panicked, I cried, not knowing what to do. Fear crept into my heart as we had a three-month-old baby.
I was crying and praying simultaneously, “Lord help me.” I called on God and poured out my heart to Him. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” I experienced, for the first time in my life, the peace and the love of Jesus. Furthermore, in August of 1983, I totally surrendered my life to Jesus (Romans 10:9), which began my relationship with Jesus. After three months, I got a letter from my husband! They were safe! They crossed the Persian Gulf, miraculously undetected.
Ministry and Bible Knowledge Courses at CLI
As of now, I attend Jesus Rock of Ages Ministries in Calgary, AB. Serving the Lord is a joy, but it’s not always easy. There are thorns that need to be removed, and it’s painful. However, I have overcome those challenges by the grace of God. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.”
As a small group leader, I thank God for the ministry and Bible knowledge classes at the Christian Leaders Institute. They have further equipped me for my ministry service. Thank you, and God bless you all.
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.