Small Group Mission
I am Diandra Leigh Kuyler and I have a small group mission call. I am currently living in South Africa, my home country. In South Africa, we are fortunate in that there is freedom to practice religion openly and people are respectful (for the most part) of each other’s beliefs. In my opinion, however, the church is not taking full advantage of this to spread the Gospel. Many are comfortable with their local church ‘boundaries’. I marvel at Christians who risk their lives daily for Christ in places where Christian persecution is high! South Africa is known for its high rates of unemployment, poverty, violence and fatherless families – there are loads of people desperate for hope and restoration. They need a Saviour. We, Christians, need to lay our lives down, push comfort aside and grab the opportunity to be the messengers of salvation!
My mother, who at age of 20 was delivered from witchcraft when she gave her life to Christ, encouraged me to surrender my life to Christ. I was not fully aware of the decision that I had made that day but now, as a growing Christian, I am so aware of Jesus’ grace and that there is nothing that I can do to make Him love me more or less – His love is unconditional.
Although I am still figuring it out, I would love to work with youth and young adults, particularly those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. I have a passion for photography and travel and I would love to go on group missions trips during which we get to share the gospel and develop skills in Media and Design through documenting the trips. This would provide opportunities for young people to develop skills in photography, journalism, editing, and content sharing on social media platforms. In this way, we get to reach and influence a larger group of people.
This class with Christian Leaders Institute has provided me with simple yet effective steps in having a more intimate relationship with God. I believe this is a most important aspect of a Christian’s journey – to know your Maker and Purpose Giver. It has also made me realize that God calls every person into a personal relationship with Him and to be an ambassador for His kingdom. None of us are perfect but when we humble ourselves and acknowledge that it is Christ who lives in us and gives us strength, then we are able to operate in our calling and accomplish that purpose which He has set before us.
Small Group Mission Leader is what I see myself as. I am someone who enjoys developing close relationships with people and I believe I can do this effectively with small groups of people. When I consider my dream, I think it would be a lot easier in terms of logistics, management and skills development to lead and work with small groups.
Some of my challenges have come from growing up in a single parent home without a good father figure and having little direction when deciding on my career path. This lack of direction was a result of being completely blind to my true passions and allowing people’s expectations of me to determine my career path. I think the biggest challenge I face now is a financial constraint and lack of resources.
I have only shared this small group mission dream with a handful of people in the church. Those that I have shared it with are supportive and can in some way relate to the dream. I also feel that I am not equipped enough yet and so I started attending our church’s Bible study class which is based on CLI’s coursework in order to become equipped for my dream.
I grew up with my mom and I guess it is our love for the outdoors that has played a role in my dream. My mom has always supported my adventurous endeavors. She always dreamed of going on missions trips to evangelize and I guess that desire has rubbed off on me.
A CLI scholarship is important to me as I believe it will provide me with the necessary tools to accomplish my ministry dream. The quality of the content is high, it’s free and more than enough time is given to complete courses which, for me, are all bonuses as I can’t afford to pay for courses and I am a full-time employee. CLI is centered around Jesus and that is exactly who I want my life and dream to be centered around.
Learn about minister ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Minister Calling Journey
My name is Leonard McEachern and I am on a minister calling journey at Christian Leaders Institute It’s been a wonderful walk, I’ve been on mountains and experienced spiritual valleys, but God has continued to amaze me.
I reside in the Charlotte, NC area in the U.S. I’ve honestly felt a calling to evangelize and pastor and I am really excited to see the Lord’s path for my life. I really enjoy doors being opened that I never imagined would open, it’s only by God’s grace. I came to know the Lord through my father-in-law. He continually witnessed to me throughout my late teenage years. On November the 6th, 2006, after much perseverance from him witnessing to me, I finally realized my need for a Savior, I am nothing and Jesus is everything. I want to be a servant serving at the feet of Jesus, for I am not worthy, but I thank God for His mercy, grace, and love.
My ministry dream is to be a youth pastor and then grow into a senior pastor role and preach the word. I have never felt this calling until now, I am almost 30. I find this interesting because Jesus began his ministry at 30. This class has been great and strengthened me by giving me proven applications of ministry to be more successful, such as growing in my own walk with God and using the mentor model for spiritual growth. I identify with evangelist and youth pastor and preacher. These areas are where I believe my calling is.
There have been times where I have experienced sorrow and people in tough situations, there is a yearning in my heart to help carry their burdens and pain. Dealing with homeless and lost individuals is honestly what has prompted me to pursue ministry. I have felt a true calling to preach and to proclaim God’s word.
There are not many challenges in my geographical location, only opportunities to reach the lost.
At this point my local church does not know my calling as of yet, I’ve only shared this calling with a few close confidants. This scholarship is so important to me because it will give me the opportunity to study and continue my normal day job. We’ll see where the Lord leads me, but I am really excited to embark on this journey. I was praying for the Lord to provide and open up the doors for an affordable school, I am happy the Lord lead me to Christian Leaders Institute.
Learn about ecuministry ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Reconciliation Ministry Dream
My name is Charles Runyon and I have a reconciliation ministry dream. I live on the east coast of the United States in the Philadelphia region. In this country, it is much easier to be able to do ministry compared to other countries. I am aware of this but also am aware of the many challenges in our country to doing ministry. I am challenged daily by the many distractions and busyness of life. I know that life here, especially on the east coast, can be a constant going. This can very easily become a hindrance or a wall to my daily devotion to God if I allow it to. Despite all of the distractions, there is still a hunger for God. People are broken and desiring more in life but not knowing what is really missing. It can be very rewarding to join God in bringing the gospel into the lives of the broken and lost.
I was raised in the church from a very young age. I have a mother who raised me and my three sisters on her own. I was taught the Word of God from a very young age and committed my life to the Lord at a very young age. As I came to my young teenage years, the church experienced some very unfortunate events. The church was split and a lot of people were left confused with no answers. I do recall several times in this church the calling of God being spoken to me through the gift of prophecy. As the church split, I really did not want to heed this calling or even my walk with the Lord any longer.
I walked away from the truth and began a walk into the world. I got involved a lot with selling and using drugs, alcohol, immorality, and worldly living. These things led me to many dark places and a destructive lifestyle. It is truly by the grace of God that I am even writing this right now. In that lifestyle, I was involved in a marriage that failed. It was at this time in 2007 that my heart was completely broken. I felt it was the end of the road and I took a turn for the worse for a time.
It was at this time that I began to go back to God’s Word because of the foundation that was built in me at a young age. The Word was now coming alive and personal to me! I remember opening the Bible to Psalm 34:18 and reading that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. This spoke to me so personally. I knew that the Lord was close to me and I started to cry out to Him for mercy and help. I can tell you that He was faithful to that cry! It was at the beginning of 2008 that I surrendered my heart to the Lord. I was filled with the Holy Spirit in my apartment when I was alone. In this time, God was showing me many faces of people that I never saw before. From this point on, my heart was burning to see souls redeemed!
God redeemed me and has called me to join Him in His work of reconciliation. My reconciliation ministry dream is to be a part of the reconciliation of drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, drug cartels, etc. I know ministry is not limited to this but my heart burns for people who have allowed sin to destroy their lives as I was almost there and would be if not for the grace of God.
The getting started class at Christian Leaders Institute has really helped me. It has helped me to see that my calling is from God. I have also seen the areas that need to be strengthened in my walk. It has encouraged me to take my devotional life in my home much more serious. These things can be challenging but needed when called to be a Christian leader with a reconciliation ministry dream. I have done some inner-city pastoral work but I truly believe my calling is to teach and evangelize. I also am aware that pastoral ministry can be a part of this calling as well. I am blessed to be a part of a church where my pastor senses the calling of God in my life as well. He has come alongside a few of us to mentor us and meet with us to study and pray regularly. He will also be mentoring me while I do my studies at Christian Leaders Institute.
I am also grateful for an amazing wife who has come alongside me to support and encourage me in my calling. She is and will be my ministry partner wherever God calls us in this reconciliation ministry dream. I am beyond grateful for this. I am desiring to study and obtain an ordination through Christian Leaders Institute. I hope to possibly plant inner-city ministry centers, Christian recovery homes, mentor centers, and more. I want to better learn God’s Word so that I can apply it to my life and then teach and disciple others. I am excited about my studies here at Christian Leaders Institute!!
Learn about ecuministry ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.