Cowboy Ministry Training
My name is Tom and cowboy ministry training is the path I am on. I live in rural Oklahoma north of Tulsa. I am the Associate Pastor of a nondenominational Christian cowboy church. Our church holds several events that are unique to cowboy culture, we have an annual rodeo; were Bibles are part of each prize. At our last rodeo, over twenty people raised their hand for salvation. The church also raises livestock to be donated to the local food banks. We run two different herds, registered Long Horn and another used primarily for roping. The focus of the church is family, and all events are designed around that foundation.
My journey was reborn when my family and I started to attend the cowboy church. I have moved all over the US and have lived in several countries but this church was home. Even though I was saved at 16 in west Texas, here is where I really started to understand what it meant to follow God. I am constantly seeking knowledge from God for all things; I am also trying new things to help keep my mind on that focus. I started learning to play guitar; my wife already plays guitar but she is learning the mandolin, to have another avenue to glorify God. I am not sure where the music is going to take us but I am excited to find out.
I am really enjoying the journey of gaining knowledge in my cowboy ministry training. I ask God all the time what is next, but I have not been given a firm answer. I know that is for a reason; patience and experience are key in faith. Another one of the many lessons he has taught me. My wife and I have an awesome church family and many mentors that have guided us through different scriptures. I am praying that the Christian Leaders Institute classes are going to allow me to gain knowledge in the scriptures and help strengthen my personal relationship with God.
There has not been one key event that led me to the ministry. I would like to say that my whole life has been going down that road, but that would not be true. The events of my life are part of the testimony that makes me unique; just like everyone, I can relate to different people. I know we are not to focus on the past, but use it to help someone else see that no matter where they are or what they have done can stop God from loving them.
I have been the type of person that solves problems. I have held several different jobs in many different companies all over the world. Just like our past helps us relate to people, my past helps me to see things differently. Not knowing what the future holds is a little unnerving, but I know God has a plan. I would like prayer for our cowboy church, the pastor, and the congregation. Like many churches, the devil is attacking regularly. Lastly, prayer for me and my family to have the strength to continue the journey that God has laid before us.
Learn about local ecuministry ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Free Ministry Training Dream
I am Bonnie Fluellen from Columbus, Georgia in the United States of America. I have a free ministry training dream and desire to serve the Lord in ministry. I’m the third of four children. I was born in 1980 in Columbus, Georgia. My parents were not involved in taking us to church. My father had knowledge of who God was. He became a minister while being incarcerated. But after being released, he denied his calling. We grew up in a home without my father so my mother had to support us on her own. That was not easy especially with four children.
When I was a young girl, I would find my way to different churches on my own and I would take my sister with me. I’ve always had a passion for Jesus. I can remember the times that I would ride 35 minutes to a small country town to attend service on Sundays and Wednesdays. The deacon would pick us up with the church van and drop us back off. My mother never learned how to drive so we never had transportation. On the way to church, I would often pray that the Sunday school teacher wouldn’t be able to make it so that I would be able to teach the class.
Once I started to acknowledge who God was and get more understanding I was amazed, and at that time something started happening in my life that I knew wasn’t normal. The Lord was calling me. For many years, I tried to run from the voice of God. But then I started to realize that I was shackled to the gospel. I couldn’t get away if I wanted to.
I started to attend different denominational churches. I recall that I was attending a Pentecostal church with my aunt, and when the Pastor would preach it would do something to me. Then I started witnessing miracles and people being filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s when I realized the spiritual gifts and the power of God. Jesus changed my life forever. I knew this is where I belonged. I was being called to be a servant of God in his house. I began to develop a relationship with God putting him in control of my life. Following the Holy Spirit as he led me in the path of righteousness.
The pastor of my church began to let me do devotions and exhortations, and this is when my gift of ministering the gospel was born. The Lord let me go through different trials and tribulations to have the testimonies in my life to be able to relate to many different people. The Lord blessed me with the gift of prophecy to be able to speak to the people and bring them closer to God to edify the body of Christ. All the honor and all the praise go to the God Most High. The Lord changed my life and for that I am grateful. This has given me the strength to help others on their journey with Christ.
This scholarship with Christian Leaders Institute would be a blessing for me in my free ministry training dream. In this world, credentials are needed along with being educated in the word and wisdom of God. This will be a testimony of my faith in knowing that God is a provider and will do what is needed to equip the saints. Thank you, and I will continue to pray for Christian Leaders Institute’s founders, instructors, donors, and students on this path to being successful in the ministry.
Learn about local ecuministry ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Chaplain Minister Training
My name is Steve Mercado and I am receiving chaplain minister training at Christian Leaders Institute. For the longest time, there has always been an itch in the back of my head needing to be scratched. I come from a large family and we were raised at an irrigation farm where my father tended the crops for the owner. We were never lacking necessities, but we were poor. Eventually, we moved into town when the owner sold the land.
After high school, my brothers and sisters and I went our separate ways. After my dad passed, I moved home to watch over my mom. She was having a hard time after my dad died with depression and my family didn’t know how to help her. Eventually, she became ill and I became her caregiver. It was at this time that the itch started to go away. At the hospital and hospice, I saw a lot of lonely people. Some were even waiting to die alone. I wanted to help, but how?
It wasn’t until a few months ago that I started to hunger and ache to feed that empty feeling. I don’t why God chose this time to call me on His team this late in my life. But I’m signing up and going as long as I can and wherever He tells me. I want to minister to the sick and lonely such at hospitals and hospice. I volunteer at the hospital but I don’t have the training to really help. I just lend a shoulder. That’s why I’m here at Christian Leaders Institute. I feel called to fill a needful purpose. With free ministry training at CLI, I will be able to be used by God to minister to the lonely and sick as a chaplain minister.
Learn about minister ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.