Ministry Knowledge
My name is Ryan Stokes and I am seeking ministry knowledge and training at Christian Leaders Institute. I am currently located in the southeastern region of the United States in Louisiana, close to the Mississippi State line. It seems the media and our leaders have all but gotten away from allowing any Christ-centered education, literature, etc to be publicized. People are more worried about offending someone or some other culture than they are with trying to lead someone to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
I came to know the Lord at an early age. I was raised in a typical southern Christian home, we attended church on Sundays and Wednesdays and I was always involved with the many activities for the children and youth growing up. I was a young pre-teen when I heard the testimony of one of the youths in our church about what had touched her heart on a youth trip they had just returned from. This testimony touched me in a way that I will always remember, triggering me to give my life to the Lord.
My ministry dream is to somehow make the Gospel available to all. Just as I have found this amazing training online at Christian Leaders Institute, I think it would be possible to reach out to the lost souls of the world in some of the same ways. I guess you could say my dream in ministry is to reach as many people as possible and to lead as many people as I can to the Lord. To help coach them on how to be better Christians and then how they themselves can effectively lead others to Christ. Imagine how amazing that would be!
This class has shown me new, more effective ways to study my Bible, to lead my family in devotions and to be a better leader for them and anyone around me. I am just starting my education and my confidence in Christ is growing. I cannot wait to see where it is when I complete my training, and even long after. I would have to say I identify more with the title of Pastor at this time. I feel compelled at the moment to gear my ministry toward the youth with everything that’s going on in the Country as they will be our future leaders. But at the same time, I want to share the Gospel with all ages.
The experience that really prompted me into ministry I think may be pretty unique. As I mentioned earlier I grew up in a Christian household. As we grew older, my older brother strayed away from God, actually claiming to be an Atheist. Trying to talk to him about it made me feel uncomfortable because it seemed as though he had researched and learned so much (of course, this was all in favor of atheism) and I had not. This concerned me so much that I began studying and learning everything I could as I sought to gain Biblical and ministry knowledge. Even studying atheism, so that I could see it from his perspective and ultimately find a more effective way to lead him to Christ. Somewhere in the middle of all my studying, I felt a calling to Ministry. It seemed what I was doing was just right.
My scholarship at CLI will greatly impact the ministry knowledge I can gain to further my ministry dream. Without it, I don’t see a time in the near future that I could obtain any education even close to it. Please pray for my understanding and patience as I continue my education to better my ministry. Pray that I will always stay strong and continue to receive support where I need it the most. That I will always humble myself and allow Christ to use me as he sees fit. May I always remember that His will, not mine, be done.
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Revival Pastor
Greetings! My name is Tina Stowers. I am a 49-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in the United States of America. Our country is in serious need of revival. I hope to be a part of that movement as a revival pastor.
As the eldest of seven children, I was raised to know and love Jesus from birth. My mother has been the single greatest example of what a true disciple looks like. Her example of service and devotion have been the single largest influence in my Christian walk. Although I had always believed in God, it wasn’t until I attended a youth retreat when I was fifteen that I truly felt the Spirit and turned my life over to Him. At that time I thought that one day I would be a missionary.
My ministry dream is to lead my church as their revival pastor. I attend New Life Foursquare Church in Idaho. I would love to see our small congregation grow and add additional ministries for the men, women, and youth of our community. There are lost, hurting and outcast people all around us that need Jesus. I would like for our little storefront church to be the place they can come to feel loved and accepted for who they are… a child of the Most High God!
I greatly appreciate the way that the “Getting Started” class at Christian Leaders Institute is structured. It gave me several opportunities to examine whether or not ministry was for me. I have enjoyed the lectures, especially “The Seven Connections”. It really laid out a simple and honest path to evangelism. Throughout the various lessons, it gave me pauses to reflect on my calling and measure my heart. I’ve prayed, read and prayed some more and know that this is what God is calling me to do. This class has definitely renewed my walk with God and my conviction to serve Him as He wills.
A revival pastor is a word that I identify with most. Although at our church, I will also be an evangelist, small group leader, youth leader, and worship leader all rolled into one. I feel the calling of Romans 10:14, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a Preacher?” I look forward to Shepherding our congregation and anyone else who God places in my path. I have alway had a gift for teaching and enjoy sharing the fruits of my studies with others.
I never intended to become a revival pastor. Although I have a history of pastors on both my mother’s and father’s side of the family, I did not feel that it was my calling. The Lord obviously has other plans for me though. Through two pastors and physical signs, it was revealed that this was His plan for me. After I enrolled in CLI, after praying for one more confirmation, it came immediately through a word of knowledge from yet another pastor. I guess the Lord is not through with me yet.
The greatest challenge for me in this area will be overcoming the deceptions of the enemy. The community where I live is primarily Mormon. It can be difficult to witness to a person who believes that they are a Christian yet denies the Deity of Jesus. Focusing on our shared doctrine yet pointing out the errors are key. It is a slow road when attempting to breach the maze of their beliefs but I believe with wisdom, love and empowering of the Spirit, this community can be saved one soul at a time.
The Bible for me is the wisdom of God given to mankind to guide and teach us about Him. Throughout my life, I have turned to the Bible in good times and bad. It has served as stories for my children and Psalms for my praise. He speaks to me through His word and each time I read a passage I find something that I didn’t see before. It never gets old! I could not imagine my life without this trusted friend that God has given me to lead me closer to Him.
My church has been very supportive of my call to revival pastor ministry. My pastors have been mentoring me and the congregation has been very gracious. I have served as a lay pastor, preaching from time to time as I was needed. My pastors were also the ones who encouraged me to go into the Ministry as a revival pastor. They will continue to mentor me through this program and are very excited that I have begun this training with CLI.
I thank God for CLI. When I began searching for online seminary schools, because there are none in my area, I was greatly disheartened by the prohibitive cost. I am the sole provider for my family at this time and it would not have been possible. Of course, there are student loans, but I couldn’t believe that the Lord would want me to accrue a huge amount of debt to fulfill his call for me. I had all but given up when I found CLI. At first, I thought that it was too good to be true. The more I read though, the more hope rose up in me! I COULD fulfill Gods call with the assistance of CLI!
I pray that I may fulfill the charge that the Apostle Paul gave in 2 Timothy 4:1-8. Your prayers that I may achieve my calling and run the race which God has set before me with endurance, patience, and love are greatly welcomed. This country and my community need revival. Here it comes! Amen!
Learn about pastor ordination with Christian Leaders Alliance.
