Ministry Prepared
My name is Estelle Herbst and I live in Pietermaritzburg which is located in South Africa in Kwa Zulu Natal. I am the last of three children. My parents went to church when I was younger. But later on, they did not enjoy church anymore so since high school I stopped going as well. I got married when I was 27 years old. God has blessed me with three boys, ages 12,9,4. Last year, I was very depressed and went to a local church here. That church is where God touched me. All depression has left and our lives have changed drastically. I am blessed to have a husband that also found God’s love as I am seeking to be ministry prepared.
My whole life, I knew I needed to do something, and now I know it is to serve the Lord. I have made my decision to be ministry prepared so I may truly serve the Lord wherever He may lead me. And I have the urge to let all other people know how good and fulfilling it is to serve our Heavenly Father.
I currently serve in our church as a leader in connecting groups and in kid’s church. I am pursuing this Christian Leaders Institue Ministry course for my own spiritual benefit, to strengthen my relationship with the Lord, and to help me be ministry prepared. My prayer is that I will be ready and equipped for whatever the Lord wants for me to do and that I will forever walk close to Him and be in His perfect will. I also pray that God will make clear to me the plans He has for my life as I become ministry prepared for Him.
Learn about ordained minister study programs and ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Youth Ministry Calling
My name is Josue De Lucas and I am currently serving the Lord in America. I am truly blessed and thankful to be able to publicly share the word, be able to practice what I have been taught and be open about my faith. I will forever be thankful for that as I follow a youth ministry calling on my life.
I was born and raised in a Christian family by the grace of God. Though the influence was around me, I never did believe in God, I only knew of/about him. It wasn’t until I was at the age of 16 when the Lord spoke to me, and I felt a heavy/unrelenting feeling to accept him in my heart. Before I accepted him as my Savior, I was very rebellious. At a very young age, I got myself involved with drugs, gangs, and alcohol. I felt rejected by everyone around me and whatever thoughts that are possible, I thought them (mostly bad). Life was not hard for me, though I made it hard for myself because of my bad decisions, relationships, romantic relationships, etc.
My favorite part of telling people how I came to meet the Lord is almost funny. At the time, I had a girlfriend who was talking to a boy that attended the local youth group and I found out where and when this was. Of course, I had the intent to hurt him. I attended the service and the entire time I was waiting for the time it would end to “jump” him but I noticed the entire crowd was laughing. I was upset, I was sad, I was bitter, I wanted to know what everyone was laughing at because I needed to smile. The pastor who was speaking had a gift of being comical. He was very funny and I enjoyed listening to him. Right after he got my attention, he mentioned “Heaven” and “Hell”. He spoke the truth that those who don’t have Jesus don’t receive eternal life, and that is scary! I was tired, I was at my wit’s end. I ended up accepting Jesus in my heart and had my burdens lifted, I forgave that boy who now is one of my close church friends. It’s funny, isn’t it?
My youth ministry calling and dream is to help those who were in my position, young, afraid, tired, unwilling to live. I have a gravitation towards the youth because I’m still very young myself, I am 22 years of age. I can empathize and sympathize with them and want them to have somewhere to go in the time of need.
I have a desire to be a youth leader and my time of attending Christian Leaders Institute has greatly revealed to me the characteristics of one who is called by God to serve. I cannot neglect that feeling and confirmation in my heart. My walk with God has been better with the help of this ministry. Certain topics that needed to be addressed in my life were talked about here in detail and I couldn’t be more excited for doors to be opened (and closed if it’s His will).
Being a worship leader not too long after I was saved was one of those things that carved its way into my heart, it inspired me. At first, it wasn’t ideal, but then I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I got the chance to lead a message one day in a small group, and though there wasn’t much, a person was surprised that they not only understood what I said, but they related with God’s word.
My church has recently stopped its youth ministry program and this disappointing to me as I follow my youth ministry calling. Christian Leaders Institute is important to me because of the genuine, quality, and upfront way of teaching which is crucial in not only my life but those who pursue leaving their comfort zones for Christ.
Learn about minister ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.
Street Evangelist
My name is Ryan Grove. I am 33 years old and live in Maryland, USA, with my beautiful wife Danielle and our 4 children (ages 12, 9, 8, and 6; one of which was adopted last year). We are also foster parents to 2 other children. I am a plumber/pipefitter by trade and feel called to be a street evangelist.
I didn’t grow up in church. I can remember in elementary school going to a Vacation Bible School near us but other than that, we did not attend church or really talk about God. As a teenager, a friend invited me to a church overnighter where I met a girl and suddenly became interested in church mostly because of the girl (she later would become my wife). One evening, an evangelist by the name of Brian Beverly came and spoke. He gave the message of the Gospel and I responded. But I eventually stopped dating the girl and going to church. I went right back to living as if I wasn’t born again. But God had planted that seed. Later at around age 22, I heard a message by Bruce Wilkinson at an event in Cincinnati, Ohio. I felt the overwhelming presence of God and rededicated my life to him that day.
I have a passion for men’s ministry and evangelism. I’d like to start some sort of ministry in the construction field and/or street evangelist. I really feel a calling in these areas. I have been passive about my faith until a few years ago and I really feel God leading me toward relying on the Holy Spirit and a continual dying to self.
This first Christian Leaders Institute class has given me a clarity for the importance of daily devotion that I’ve been missing. It has confirmed my need for discipline in communicating with God. I realize my shortcomings and the joy that the cross has brought to my life. That gives me the hope and the desire to reach others for Christ! The Bible has taught me that we all fall short and that we are each headed for eternal punishment but that God sent His son to die in place of us if we repent and trust in Jesus. I’m so thankful for that message and am passionate about sharing it with others.
I’m thankful for the men in my church who have walked alongside me, mentored me and continue to do so. I’m looking forward to my training at CLI and the time and money that it will save from traditional ministry training. Having six kids and all of them in sports is time consuming so the availability of this training right on my phone is a huge blessing. Please pray that I continue to be disciplined in my walk and my studies so that through my relationship with Christ, I can reach out to others with the hope of repentance and faith!
Learn about minister ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.