Greetings Everyone! My name is Kyara Kelley. I am 23 years old, and yes I am a Preacher’s Kid. I recently graduated from college with a double degree in Music and Business Administration. I currently own my organization called “Confessions of A Churchgirl.” The mission of the organization is Encouraging the millennial generation to seek God and live out our true purpose on the earth. We do this through christian events, workshops, blogging, mentoring and much more. While that is my 24/7 job, I also am a production assistant at ABC News in NYC from 9-5. While being raised in the church, around age 15, I began to be comfortable with practicing religion and living an ungodly lifestyle. Although I have seen others do the same, I wasn’t able to explain why this was seen as okay except for the excuse of I’m young and everyone does this.
At age 16, I heard a word outside of the church that would change my life forever. I had a dream that I was speaking in front of a whole group of teenagers, and they were getting saved and whatever I had to say was saving their lives. This completely tripped me out. It drove me to ask God what this was about. Since that day I haven’t been the same and have been chasing purpose ever since. He then showed me that we as young people live a ” double life” because we do not understand the value of relationship over religion. A relationship changes you back into who God original called you to be through developing Christ-like qualities in love and honesty. Its a process but relationship is authentic and can reach even the millennial generation when religion can not. Through developing a true relationship with God, he was able to show me that God can naturally change my desires and my heart just because we are in a relationship and then religion begins to make some sense.
Although for most this is a dream job, I am more fulfilled doing what God purposed me to do which is bridge the gap between God and the millennial generation through encouraging and focusing on having a relevant and active relationship with Christ instead of depending on just religion. I would like to use this degree and this training to effectively be the youth minister and youth pastor I know that I am called to be. I have been doing youth ministry since I was 13. Although I haven’t always lived the best Christian life, it was my heart for my generation and the generation after me that God used to place me back on the path of his will for my life. I would like to do youth ministry full time and make my purpose my profession.
By having a scholarship at Christian Leadership Institute, I believe I will be well equipt to minister and teach the gospel to the next generation effectively. The scholarship will allow me to learn the skills need to be a well trained and taught minister. I also believe that the connections made through this alliance of students will aid in my learning and allow for covenant connects and relationship to form that will glorify God through unity and perspective. Although I am young, I am very passionate about youth ministry and reaching a generation that has so much faith where to put that faith to change the game.
Mentoring Pastor Training
I am 42 years old. I am receiving mentoring pastor training at Christian Leaders Institute. I am a mother of 8 children (6 girls and 2 boys). I was born and raised in the south but decided to move further north in 2012. I come from a long line of ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a little girl, I attended a church that was founded and pastored by my grandfather. After my grandfather’s death, my mother became the pastor and worked spreading the gospel until her death in 2016. Through my family, I thought that I knew everything that I needed to know about God. In my late twenties, I realized the importance of developing a personal relationship with God for myself. My struggle to know the difference between religious practices and having a relationship with God encouraged me to want to see others walk in liberty. My local church has supported me by recognizing the calling on my life and mentoring me. They are allowing me to exercise this calling through hands-on ministry.
My ministry dreams and goals are to be a messenger of Jesus Christ capable of reaching the lost and strengthening other believers. To not only be a witness and deliverer of His word but to understand the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth. I want to be able to stand as an equipped and mature believer. I want to be ready to serve in any area the Holy Spirit calls me to. The scholarship from Christian Leaders Institute makes available the necessary ministry training. This training has strengthened my personal walk with God. It gives me practical truths and tools needed for ministry and mentoring others. This class has reminded me of how to live for God intentionally. I have a more in-depth understanding of how to develop a closer relationship with God. The training provides practical tools for sustaining that relationship and growing in biblical knowledge.
Learn about ordained minister study programs at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Church Planting Pastor
My name is Greg and I feel called to be a church planting pastor. I currently live near Raleigh, North Carolina in the United States of America. This is a fairly Christian nation. This state is much more Christian than my home state of California. People are more open to talking about Jesus and scripture. This area is considered part of the “Bible belt”, a religious region of the United States. There are many churches in this area from many different denominations.
I came to know the Lord through my wife, Megan. I did not consider myself to be a Christian before I met her. Her love for Jesus and the prayers and influence of her family helped me to understand the reality of who Jesus is. I was somewhat opposed to the idea of Christ prior to meeting Megan. I just didn’t understand. My own misconceptions blinded me to the ways Christ was already affecting my life.
My ministry dream is to start a church in this area. The county I live in has a great number of churches, but still has a great number of people that do not attend a church. I believe that these people are waiting for a church that will help them to feel loved and accepted by Christ. They’ve been judged and feel cast out. They need to know the truth, just like I did.
This class at Christian Leaders Institute has had a remarkable influence on my walk with God. It has renewed my determination to know Him more and share His love with those around me. I think I would most likely identify myself as a Church Planting Pastor at this time. My goal is to plant a church, but I don’t see myself planting more after this one is established.
After I finished serving in the United States Navy, my wife and I felt called to leave California and move to North Carolina. We sold everything to follow His call. We weren’t sure what we were going to do here, but we trusted that it was big. As we settled into life out here, I began drawing closer to God. I felt a clear calling to start a church. It was difficult to leave our church in California. We love the Pastor and his family. We love his message of honest grace. A message of hope, life, and truth. I believe that spreading this message is why God sent me and my family to North Carolina.
Even though this is a Christian region of the United States, there are still challenges to starting a church. There are a lot of churches in this area. I don’t anticipate this being a competition. We are all a part of the body of Christ. Beyond that, the people I am trying to reach aren’t going to those churches anyway. This area does have problems with drug use and poverty. It’s not as bad as it is in other parts of the state, but it is happening here. The people will need a lot of help, guidance, and care to follow Christ and leave those issues behind.
Connecting to the Bible has transformed my life and ministry immensely. The more I dig into the word, the more clearly I see His grace. It’s everywhere. I can’t keep myself from sharing this truth. My local church has been a great help. I am currently involved with a solid group of men to help others with addictions. This church understands that there are men and women who need help and need to know who they are in Christ.
My family will be a huge part of this church planting pastor ministry dream. They will be uniquely involved. My wife is ready to be a co-pastor. My children will show others the grace they know. They will also face the scrutiny that comes with being a part of the pastor’s family. I believe they will do well.
This training is incredibly valuable for my ministry dream. Without CLI, I doubt I would be able to attend any form of seminary training. My dream would probably die. Please pray for this dream of mine. Pray that I stay focused on completing this training. Pray that God would prepare the hearts of the men and women He sent me to reach. Pray that He would open doors to planting this church.
Learn about ordained minister study programs at Christian Leaders Alliance.