Missions Training Call
Hi, my name is Luke Standridge. God has been knocking on my heart, calling me to missions for as long as I can remember. Because of the fear I had of missions, I totally swept this missions training call under the rug. Three years ago, I had the chance to start learning Japanese. Through this, I was able to meet so many wonderful Japanese people in my community as well as in Japan through online language exchange. I was always struck by their kindness, hospitality, and generosity to me.
All of these new interactions and friendships made me want to look more deeply into Japan and Japanese culture. What I found absolutely broke my heart. I learned that less than one half of one percent of the 127 million people in Japan are Christian. I learned that Japan’s suicide rate is among the highest of any developed nation and is the leading cause of death for young men, every hour 3 people will take their own life. There are a deep hopelessness and depression among these people.
During the four months, I spent in Japan over two different trips, I began to put so many names and faces to these statistics. I became friends with people who contemplated suicide and who struggle daily with hopelessness. But at the same time, I also saw friends who had told me they would never become a Christian start to read the Bible, attend church and pray on their own. On my last day of teaching English at a Christian kindergarten, one of the kids gave me their favorite toy asking me to never forget them.
Leaving these people in Japan was one of the most painful things I’ve ever done. There is so much work to be done, so many dying every day without knowing about the love and hope of Jesus. That gentle knock from God calling me to missions has been steadily growing in intensity and frequency. God had led me on this path even when I chose to ignore it. He has been preparing me and honing my gifts in music, art, and photography. He has given me a purpose, a passion and deep joy for this work. He has led me to Christian Leaders Institute to prepare me for the ministry work he has for me. I will go back to Japan to share the hope of Christ, let them know they have a Father who loves them deeply and is calling them by name as His children and that they are never alone.
Learn about minister ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Pastor Calling Journey
Hello, my name is Windy Ann Trammell and I am on a pastor calling journey. I live in Joanna, South Carolina in the United States of America. I came to know the Lord as my Savior, on my bedroom floor, crying for the Lord Jesus Christ to take over my life. The years before I gave my life to the Lord were filled with ups and downs as I was involved in drugs and alcohol, etc. When I came to Jesus after he began tugging on my heart, there was this glorious change in my life and it just kept getting better and better. After a few years of growing closer to the Lord, I began to sense that God was calling me to become a pastor.
I live in South Carolina and have been seeking to serve the Lord here by using my God-given gifts to uplift and encourage others and to spread the gospel to those who are searching for Him. I feel that Christian Leaders Institute is where I need to be to receive the training I need so that I can become far more than simply a pastor. I firmly believe that with this free ministry education and with God’s guidance along the way some of the lost will be found and some of the weak will be made strong all to the glory of my Lord and Savior. My spiritual dream is to pastor a church that God has used me to plant. I am excited to see what God will do in my life and in his kingdom as I serve him wherever he leads me. May God bless CLI and those who serve in his kingdom!
Learn about ordained minister study programs and minister ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Christian Leaders Training
Hello, my name is Derek Karl and I am receiving Christian leaders training at CLI. I am blessed to live in north Texas, in the United States. I work as a Parts Manager for a local boat dealership. Through the faithfulness of my mother, I came to know the Lord at the age of ten. As an adult, I let the cares of the world occupy my time. I left no room for my relationship with God. I realized I had been trying to live life on my own terms. It was then that I cried out to Jesus, and he restored my walk and my passion. The Getting Started Class at Christian Leaders Institute has not only strengthened my walk with Christ but also inspired me to press forward with the work of His ministry.
Through the urging of my daughter and some of her friends, my wife and I started a home Bible study. As this ministry grew, it became apparent to me that I needed some formal ministry training. I looked at the many online Bible colleges, but the tuition and fees at these institutions would prohibit me from attaining my dream. I knew that the Lord did not want me to put my family in debt to that extent, but I also knew that he had given me a calling to ministry. Then one day, I came across the CLI website. I enrolled and began the introductory session. After watching the first video and seeing the passion Pastor Reyenga had for the calling of CLI, I was totally moved in the Spirit!
I hope to pass on the knowledge I obtain at CLI through home Bible studies and neighborhood gatherings. I feel as Christians, we should think outside of the box and use our gifts to reach those in our communities that many have cast aside. I have shared much of Pastor Elzinga’s Connection class with my wife, and I feel that it has restored the emphasis for our individual, spousal, and family relationships with God. Please keep me, my family and my mentor in your prayers so that the attacks of the enemy during this time will not prevail! I just want all of the board, faculty and staff at CLI to know what a great work they are doing for the Kingdom! God bless you!
Learn about minister ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.