My name is Vivian Anderson of the United States. I lived in many places, which all impacted my life. I currently reside in Columbia, SC. In 2005, I graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. This was after over ten years of being out of school. I am new at the Christian Leaders Institute for minister training for a strong foundation. The online courses are a blessing.
My Story
Born in Chicago, I grew up in Detroit, MI. I am one of 10 children. I grew up in a single-parent household. My father left home when I was about 5. However, he was a part of my life. Most of my aunts and uncles and my mom were or are pastors, ministers, evangelists, or closely connected to the church. My mom worked a lot, which took her away from home. However, she was still present in my life. Financially poor, a lot of trauma happened in our house. During my childhood, I was abused. I didn’t tell anyone until I was 13.
When I was ten, I heard the pastor at church say something about God dwelling where Satan is most. Then I watched a movie with a billboard saying Welcome to Satan’s Den. The movie was filmed in New York City. At ten years old, I said I was going to New York. Because if that was Satan’s Den, then God must be there. I wanted to find God. I experienced so much abuse, and I felt so alone and unhappy. My mom, aunts, and uncles seemed joyful, although we endured so much trauma. I wanted what they had. Therefore, I concluded to have joy, I needed to know the God they knew.
My Spiritual Dream
My spiritual dream is to share God’s love through my work with youth and community. I run a not-for-profit that works directly with youth and the community. It also does advocacy around policies that impact the lives of the people I serve. My work involves restorative justice practices. I want to ensure God is the center of this crucial work needed to heal our world.
Growing into an adult, there were many obstacles I faced. Many were normal going from childhood to teenager to adult. College was the first time I was away from home. In college, I lost myself to fit in, which made for hard times. I suffered from anxiety attacks and attempted suicide. Losing my best friend’s sister, who was like my big sister, to a motorcycle accident and then losing my dad, grandmother, and mother was too much. Therefore, substances became my comfort and discomfort. Because of God, none of this took me out or caused me to hate God. God has always been real to me. However, I didn’t know how to stay close to Him.
CLI: Ministry Training for a Strong Foundation
I hope to use the Christian Leaders Institute training to heal my community. More than anything, I want to use the training to keep me close to God by understanding how to read the Bible. I want to use the training to set a strong foundation so I can help others build a strong foundation in Christ.
The free training was an answered prayer. I prayed to God that if ministry were where He called me, it would need to pay for itself. My finances don’t allow me to attend a traditional Seminary or Bible College. Until now, when God made a way through CLI. The tuition-free training is crucial because I know many people are searching. CLI provides an answer!
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.
PSY 210 – Mental Health Integration (3 Credits)
Discover the transformative insights of this course as it explores the intersections between mental health concepts, biblical teachings, ministry, and the church. Delve into various modalities of wellness, biblical teaching on well-being, identity, self-care, vulnerability, and effective giving and receiving of help. Join Brandon Appelhans as he shares his personal mental health journey its broader implications, and how the church can adeptly contribute to addressing the pressing challenges of the mental health crisis.
Persuasion unto Consensus (Church Polity)
Consensus church government by pastoral persuasion gives many advantages: maturity for the saints, knowing the mind of Christ, church unity, and an edifying decision-making process. This scriptural form of church government will also enable church leaders to lead more like Jesus.
The Advantages of Smaller Churches
Did Jesus intend for churches to have thousands of members? Is bigger better? Did you know that for the first two hundred years of the Christian church, believers met almost exclusively in private homes? Did you know that smaller churches have many advantages over larger churches? Did you know that every NT letter written to a church was written to a church that met in someone’s home? Did you know that most activities prescribed for churches can only function in a small church?
My Journey
Hello! My name is Korey Lincoln. I am from central Texas in the USA but live in Northeast Texas, just outside the Dallas metroplex. Happily married to my wife Ashley for over 11 years, we have one beautiful daughter named Lexi. We are all animal lovers. Our family includes three cats and three corgis. Called by God to ministry, I found the Christian Leaders Institute to study for ministry.
I grew up in church and felt called to ministry around 13. However, I then fell off my path by letting life get in the way. I went several years doing my own thing and forgetting to give glory to God. Eventually, God called me back. At 31, I thought about the first time I heard God speak to me about going into ministry. That is when I realized I was down the wrong path.
My Ministry Calling and Study for Ministry at CLI
One morning, I was in a major car accident on the way to work. I was in the hospital for several weeks. That’s where I found the Christian Leaders Institute. After reading what Christian Leaders was all about, I knew that finding CLI’s website was a sign from God. Therefore, I immediately signed up to study for ministry.
I aim to be a spiritual teacher and counselor to those in need. I want to help troubled youth and couples needing help in their marriage or offer pre-marriage counseling and wedding services. Eventually, God willing, I would like to become a full-time pastor. My journey with CLI is just beginning!
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.