I am Marissa Evasco Japis and I live in the Philippines. Our country has been recognized as a Christian country wherein 82% were Catholic while the remaining 11% belongs to the different Christian denominations. However, though it may seem that preaching and sharing the Word of God should come easy, that is not the case. Christianity in our country has become more of tradition and rituals. One can quickly notice the shallowness of understanding the Word of God and living by it. Human principles and reasoning have been the basis for living excluding what the Bible says. Moreover, I came to witness more and more young people blindly following the way of the world, leading them to destruction and isolation from God. This has caused my heart to swell and feel much burden seeing more young people get trapped by the devil to commit deeds that are not pleasing unto God.
I was born in a Christian family. My father was an assistant pastor of the church we used to attend. He, later on, started pioneering a church as well. He decided to quit his job to become a full-time Pastor. Because both of my parents were serving the Lord, my two other siblings and I were raised in a Christian environment. I have loved the Lord even at a young age. I knew that though I was young, I wanted to serve him and honor Him in anyway I can. However, as I grew up circumstances changed and the situation got more complicated. We were financially tested, and we could hardly have three meals in a day. However, that didn’t stop our family from serving the Lord. We continue to serve and God we were amazed at how God made a way for us to survive each day. I believe that I totally surrendered my life to Christ back when I was 15 years old. This was the time that everything is becoming more serious when it comes to my relationship with the Lord.
When I was younger, I dreamed of being a teacher. It has gotten more specific and detailed as I grew up. I then thought I wanted to be a licensed public school teacher because it is one of the most stable jobs in the country. I dreamed of taking Master’s Degree and attaining higher education to be recognized in the field of Education, but the most important thing was, I wanted to earn money, so I won’t experience the hardship we experienced when I was younger. I want to be in a secure and comfortable status. However, this has all changed as God changed my heart. He has put a new dream in my heart. I started dreaming to serve the Lord in every way I can. My first ministry dream is to be equipped and trained for teaching and evangelizing people. I hope to see myself serving in the church as a missionary pastor. It is my dream to pioneer a church and teach young people. I hope to bring the good news of salvation that can transform the lives of the youth and make more disciples for the expansion of God’s Kingdom.
Having “Getting Started Class” lessons has given me the fresh revival in renewing my daily commitment to the Lord. It has fixed all the broken pieces of my foundation in my relationship with God. This was the very thing I needed the most. I have started pioneering a church now, and I felt like I was walking on a very thin cable. Watching and reading the lectures about creating a habit of daily walk with God through devotions have made my path wider as I felt more confidence and stronger in the Lord. I started applying all the principles I have learned here, and I am just amazed how God moves in my heart, in my life, in my marriage, and in the ministry, He has entrusted me.
I could identify myself as a Pastor and a church Planter. I love how God use the life He has given me to draw more people to Him through the power of His Holy Spirit. I love teaching them and nourishing their souls with the Word of God. I also see myself planting new churches in every place that needs to be restored by God through creating relationships with them.
Back in 2009, I was continuously attending the church where my father was a Pastor. Back at that time, I got my first job and I was focused on making my self-centered dream into a reality. I was working hard, and my focus was to earn and prove myself worthy to my family and the people around me. I loved my father very much, and I was so dependent on him. I believe God has been calling me that time, but I was too busy achieving my goals in life to respond to Him. After two years, my father died. It was sudden and unexpected. I asked God, “Why?” I couldn’t understand why he had to leave so soon. After going through the pain of losing someone so dear to my heart. God spoke to me and reminded me that all I need is Him. I shouldn’t rely on the strength and faith of no one else but Him. God has turned my mourning into dancing and my sorrow into joy. And one day I found myself seeking to do His will in my life.
Some of the unique challenges in my geographic area were the belief in Catholicism among the old people while the young people are suffering from moral decline. More and more teenagers are getting into premarital sex and suffering from early pregnancy.
My local church has been supporting me in my new place for church planting by sending young people to work with me on this new ministry. And having a scholarship is very important because what I will be learning from will be my ultimate tool to continue the work in ministering among the old the young and the children. It is also my hope to someday teach and train new workers and leaders for the Lord.
I hope that you will be praying for the church we are currently pioneering, the ministry to the kids, and the discipleship of the young people. May the Lord bring more and more soul to the church and may the Lord bring more workers to be trained for the harvest is ready!
Ordained Officiant Training
Join today and receive free ordained officiant training. Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) offers free high-quality online ministry training. CLI accepts any individual anywhere in their life to learn about Christianity. Read a student’s testimony below who found CLI and is using the free Ordained Officiant Training to answer his call from God.
I am God-fearing man who loves the Lord and the word of God. My mom raised me in the church. As a matter of fact, my entire household was spiritual as I was growing up. I was saved and baptized at 12 years. My mom had received a few prophetic proclamations on my life that I would become a preacher and pastor. As I was growing up, I also received confirmations of those very proclamations but did not know how to handle it and where to begin. In 1997, I re-dedicated my life to Christ and gave up everything that would hinder my walk with God. I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, a few months after re-dedicating my life. I was on fire for God many weeks afterward. It was an awesome experience. I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world to me of almost 13 years. We have been together for 16 years. Together we have 3 handsome, smart and intelligent boys (Jontrell -15, Jordan -14, and Joshua -12), who also love the Lord with all their heart. My oldest son loves to read and study the bible almost daily for long periods of times. They have all confessed Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior and have been baptized approximately 4 years ago. I am a Civil Draftsman/Designer and Inspector. I also currently am the President of F.A.I.T.H. L.I.O.N.S. (Fathers Alliance Inspiring Tomorrows Hopefuls to be Obedient through Necessary Sacrifices) Community Outreach which is a youth organization, I started along with 3 other fathers who wanted to coach and mentor kids with the philosophy and giving them spiritual guidance, mentoring, athletic training, academic help and standardized test preparation. Those 3 guys that helped me start this organization are no longer apart of the organization, but God has to give me the charge to continue on mentoring, ministering and coaching. We reach over 150-200 kids in the Baton Rouge area, by offering sports, tutoring, study-hall, Bible study, various outreach activities, etc. I am also founder and director of my ministry that God has given me, Kingdom Advancement Center, which is in its infant stages, however, I did begin a summer program this past summer which will continue this year.
In 1997, I re-dedicated my life to Christ and gave up everything that would hinder my walk with God. I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, a few months after re-dedicating my life. I was on fire for God many weeks afterward. It was an awesome experience. I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world to me of almost 13 years. We have been together for 16 years. Together we have 3 handsome, smart and intelligent boys (Jontrell -15, Jordan -14, and Joshua -12), who also love the Lord with all their heart. My oldest son loves to read and study the bible almost daily for long periods of times. They have all confessed Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior and have been baptized approximately 4 years ago. I am a Civil Draftsman/Designer and Inspector. I also currently am the President of F.A.I.T.H. L.I.O.N.S. (Fathers Alliance Inspiring Tomorrows Hopefuls to be Obedient through Necessary Sacrifices) Community Outreach which is a youth organization, I started along with 3 other fathers who wanted to coach and mentor kids with the philosophy and giving them spiritual guidance, mentoring, athletic training, academic help and standardized test preparation. Those 3 guys that helped me start this organization are no longer a part of the organization, but God has to give me the charge to continue on mentoring, ministering and coaching. We reach over 150-200 kids in the Baton Rouge area, by offering sports, tutoring, study hall, Bible study, various outreach activities, etc. I am also founder and director of my ministry that God has given me, Kingdom Advancement Center, which is in its infant stages, however, I did begin a summer program this past summer which will continue this year.
My ministry goal is to become the Pastor God has called me to be, to live out my purpose for being. God had called me to the ministry over 10 years ago. He poured into me daily. I use to be up countless hours at night studying and reading the Bible, cross-referencing scripture with Greek and Hebrew. I had bought different translations of the bible a couple of Strong’s concordance, and other text books. I wanted to attend Seminary but just could find the time to go. I had a burning desire to fulfill my call. Preached my first sermon in 2001. I had accumulated enough sermons in the span of 6 – 8 months to probably preach for a year and a half. But, things got slow for me and I didn’t know what to do next. Well in June of this year I sincerely answered my call and God has opened up several doors for me as He had been preparing me. I have a strong desire like never before to do His will. I believe this calling is to study Ordained Officiant Training. Since September, I have ministered 3 times locally and two weeks ago, I ministered at the Hearts of Fire Conference in Atlanta to a group of youth.
This Scholarship at CLI will help me to become more astute and profound in the word of God. It will give me a great opportunity to be taught by some elite instructors through this online course study so that I may elevate my knowledge of the word of God and biblical principles that I may be able to effectively and precisely preach the gospel of Jesus Christ without compromise or doubt, that by the word of God, those who I minister to will be drawn to God by the gospel, thus helping me not only achieve my goals but most importantly achieve the goal of the gospel. I am looking forward to my journey through Ordained Officiant Training.
On becoming an Ordained Officiant, I believe that it is a privilege and honor to be a representative of God carrying out God ordained mandates for kingdom purposes and for the glory of God. It is not just a duty, but I feel an obligation as one who is called of God to accept this specific calling of an Ordained Officiant who can carry forth kingdom principles on earth and to execute and exemplify through demonstration what God expects and commands of us to bring Him glory. I pride myself on trying to do everything decently and in order with excellence through the working and help of the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all truth. It is, therefore, with gratitude and appreciation to be chosen of God as a vessel whom He can use to set in order and execute the various ceremonies and services as needed. I truly believe through my humility, love for people and being faithful to the call, am able to uphold the office of an Ordained Officiant.
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Small Church Leader Ministry Training
Join today and receive free high-quality online ministry training. Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) trains revival leaders throughout the world. CLI accepts any individual anywhere in their life to learn about Christianity. Read a student’s testimony below who found CLI and is using the small church leader ministry training from CLI to help strengthen her and her family’s faith:
I was born and raised in Southern California, in the United States. I lived in the same city I was born in until I was over 30 years old when my husband moved us (me, our children, and his mother) out to the rural desert. I have always felt a fondness for the desert. The open land, the dry air, the clear blue sky seem to calm my heart and leave me open to the quietness where God speaks. As I watch the sun rise and set over the brush and cactus, I can close my eyes and be close to the Lord.
Sharing the Lord with others in the United States is probably the easiest thing in the world, the freest and legally protected, but I’m reluctant to be viewed as condescending or strange. I feel like the Lord has blessed me beyond belief, yet I am afraid to share His love with strangers. Why? That’s what I’m here to find out.
I was born into a Christian home that did not practice the faith. I knew the Bible stories they tell children, but I did not mature into a real relationship with God with Jesus as my Savior.
I married the man of my dreams when I was 26 years old and it turned out he was a practicing Christian, a man walking with God. We had some wonderful disagreements during our first years of marriage over what the Bible says, whether it is literal, and who goes to heaven. I really did not have enough information to argue. My knowledge of the Bible ended with Children’s Sunday School stories and coloring pages of Jesus. He suggested I actually read the book and because I loved him and looked up to him, I did. He bought me a study bible and I’ve had the same one ever since. It is full of notes, thoughts, and prayers.
A few years later, I met a woman who became a very good friend. She invited me to her church for coffee and I began attending regularly. I’d bring home the sermon and my husband and I would talk about it and I’d learn so much more. The long story short is that I fell in love with Jesus there and ended up being Baptized and dedicating our children in that church. I felt the Lord move mightily in my life at that time.
After our big move to the desert, I continued my study. I used to attend church with my Mother-In-Law but was never comfortable. I love her dearly but felt “in her shadow” at her church and haven’t returned. Lately, I’ve felt compelled to find a church home and have been actively praying for God’s help in this matter. The trouble is that I’m a very introverted person and I’ve been hurt by church people. I’m afraid to open the door and walk in alone. After some reflection, I’m starting to see it may be my own sin of pride that is holding me back.
My ministry dream. Well, that’s the strange part. When I first started looking online for an in depth bible study, I wasn’t looking for ministry training. I was looking to connect with God on a deeper level than just feeling. I wanted something more systematic than just reading my translation of the bible over and over again with no more input than what came to me. I love that part of my morning study, but I wanted more. I found that in CLI’s Small Church Leader Ministry Training.
I am the mother of teenage boys. While we have always read the Bible together and lived our Christian values, I’ve never felt fully equipped to minister to my children. As they begin to look outside our home for a life of their own, I would like to be a better resource for the Christian teaching to them, their wives, and their children in the future.
Recently, I volunteered to work at a local Christian pregnancy clinic. The clinic offers help for women with unplanned & planned pregnancies, supporting them by helping educate them about their pregnancy, helping them find other resources, connecting them with churches, and mentoring them in parenting and skills. It is all in the hopes of saving children from abortion and bringing people to the Lord through service and love. I’m not a counselor there. I’m just a receptionist. But I’ve found it to be such a place of God’s love that I feel called to be more like them. I want to know God daily like they do. I want to be able to share it with others by only the light in my eyes and the love of my heart. Can the Small Church Leader ministry training I’ve found at CLI be used in this context some day? I believe so.
Like I said, I didn’t come online looking for small group leader ministry training or any ministry training, but it sure found me. God works in some very mysterious ways! Through the last few weeks, I find myself growing more and more excited about the classes that are offered here. Because of the “Getting Started” class, I’ve found ways to add to my daily walk with God in my own way. I’ve changed the radio station I listen to while I do the dishes to Worship music, for one thing. When my son walked by and remarked that he had heard this song at church and smiled that smile I love so much, I knew God was there. I’ve begun to memorize scripture, something I never thought I could actually do, and it has been a light in my heart. My daily meditation is now focused on that verse as I repeat it and let God’s love wash over me, instead of just focusing on my breathing. I feel a call to know God more through this class and I thank you for offering it in such a unique way!
I think I may identify most with “Small Group Leader” and I am interested in CLI’s small church leader ministry training. I’ve always loved the ones I have attended and would love to lead one at our pregnancy clinic for young mothers. I feel a connection with these young women and I want to show them that with God they can be the mother of that child and there is no telling what joy they will experience. There is just so much potential in a pregnant woman, so much expectation and joy. It’s as if you can actually see Creation as it happens. I’d love to lead small group studies that help these women know their own strength and where it comes from, that there is an infinite supply in Jesus. I know CLI’s Small Church Leader Ministry Training will equip me with the tools necessary to follow my dreams.
Every way I’ve turned, God has been there. At my worst moment and my best, God has shown me his mercy and strength. My life has been blessed beyond belief and I give all the credit to the love of Jesus Christ. There have been so many chances to go the wrong way, to give up and end up alone and unhappy, but Jesus has always been holding his hand out to me. I want to be an example to others. I want them to see the love of God when then see me.
I read about the challenges ministries have in other countries and I wonder if there is any real challenge here at all. There is no legal or cultural hurdle. But there is one thing that seems to be growing, apathy and distrust. People all around me are heard saying that people in need should look to the government program that provides for them. That’s what we pay taxes for. But can a government program to feed the poor do the same service as a church ministry? In one way, yes. The people are physically fed to some degree. In the most important way, no. The people are still hungry for a connection to their fellow man and to God. I believe a church ministry can do so much more than hand a hungry child a bowl of cereal or a young woman contraceptives. The church can touch a person’s soul, bring them closer to God, and make them whole so that they can stand on their own and begin to help others. It’s like a ripple effect across humanity. That is what our community needs, the first pebble to be dropped on the smooth surface of the water and then another, and another, until the whole pond is rippling and crossing with love and support in this life. I hope to be a part of this ripplng effect with the use of my Small Church Leader Ministry Training
Has connecting to the Bible has transformed my life? I used to scoff at the idea that just reading could bring you closer to God. Now that I have taken the chance and have been reading for several years, I see the wisdom. I’ve experienced first hand how a simple prayer and a few chapters a day over my breakfast can show me how God’s Word is relevant in every age. It has made me more confident in God’s Word to actually know it first hand. I’m continually amazed by the answers I find there. How much more insight would I receive if I spent more time and trusted that God would show me what I need to understand? He’ll keep repeating it until I see it. It’s there. I just need to pause and see it.
My local church. At the moment, my church does not expand much past, my own family. I’m a work in progress though and am moving towards attempting a church service again. I’ve had some ugly ideas about what church is and what I should expect there. And I’m afraid. I should not be and I know this. God is in any church. He has a reason for me to be there and it isn’t something I can understand just now. I have a multitude of reason why I can’t go to church. I’m busy; my kids race dirt bikes on most Sundays. My husband won’t go; I don’t want to leave him alone on his day off. I’m shy and nervous; I don’t want to try a new church alone. I don’t want to attend with my Mother-in-Law; she’s established there and I feel in her shadow. I don’t like the sermons and politics of her church; maybe I need to be there anyway and see what’s there besides that, “be the change” as they say.
This is an obstacle to overcome. I need prayer here and God’s hand to hold as I step outside my comfort zone.
My family is the reason I feel called to this ministry in the first place. The Lord has held us up in amazing ways and I so desperately want to share that with others so that they can make their families loving and strong fortresses in the world. I believe firmly that each individual relationship with God is where we each begin to build better relationships with our spouse, our children, and our communities.
Though my husband and children have a more subtle relationship with God, one they keep mostly to themselves and share with the world by the way they are responsible for their own lives and help others where they can, they do see that my personality and calling is a bit different than theirs, and they fully support what I do as long as I respect and support their need for peace and privacy. While I read, study, and discuss with them and others, so that I can shout to the mountaintops, “God did this for me!”, they are happy to watch and love me from the sidelines. I love them for this because I know in some dark corner they think I’m a little bit crazy but they love me anyway.
CLI has come into my life at just the right moment and at just the right price. The free online small church leader ministry training CLI offers is flexible that it fits perfectly into my schedule. My husband supports all of us on one income. In Southern California, even in the desert, that’s a difficult thing to do, so we don’t have a lot of spending money. We homeschool our children without government oversight and support, so a lot of our money goes to their education. But my children are moving toward beginning their own journey. As they begin to move outward, I know I’ll have more time to do the things I have put aside while raising them, not to mention the money that used to go to their education can then go to mine. I know I’ll be able to pay back to CLI so that others around the world can get the training they need and desire, but it’s wonderful to know that I can get started on the work of it right now!
I’d love it if the CLI community could pray for my personal ministry direction and my small Church Leader Ministry Training. Pray that with God’s help I can find the courage to step into a formal church and begin to build a wider church family. Pray that I can find my calling there; that I’ll find a way to fit in or stand out and be happy with where God has planted me to bloom.
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