Revival Dream
CLI Student, Elieser Mercado Jr, has experienced the suffering this world is filled with but he has not been overcome by pain instead a revival dream has been stirred in Elieser.
Read Elieser’s testimony in his own words below:
My name is Elieser Mercado Jr. better known as “Pastor Eli.” I am 34 years old and currently reside in Orlando, Florida. I was born in Brooklyn NY. of Puerto Rican parents Elieser Mercado and Iris Santiago. I have a total of 4 amazing sisters that range from the age of 32 to 15 years old and with that came a handsome nephew and 2 beautiful nieces which melt my heart on a consistent basis.
I was brought up in a pentecostal church where unfortunately tradition and religion were a need for the gain of salvation. I was taught ritualistic Behavior, in essence, everything that opposes Grace. My parents became pastors in a hostile part of Brooklyn called Brownsville or East New York. The schools were rigged of gang violence and I got caught in that by default, the ones who would help me had parents that were very involved in gang activity. Looking back at that place I can see how God’s hand was over my life providing protection and keeping my heart interested in who He was.
My parents were pastors and both of their parents were pastors also, I think I’ve been called to Pastorship by genetic default, kidding of course! When I was about 10 years old my parents took me to a church called Brooklyn Tabernacle in Coney Island, New York. I distinctly remember that there was a clown Ministry to kids and then this clown did something amazing. He compared him dressing up as a clown to when Jesus dressed up as a man and gave up his power to be able to reach mankind. He proceeded to take off his clown makeup and taught us that when Jesus died and Resurrected he was transforming back into his Divine State and at that young age it hit me. All that Jesus had done with me in mind. This was the first true encounter I had, after that I was in love with Jesus.
My father unexpectedly passed away when I was 12 years old due to a stroke. Which needless to say was pretty traumatic for my family and for myself. I truly started having to seek truth for myself and gave me a chance to let go of religion and truly start to seek a relationship. This also gave me a passion for reaching out to this generation that I know from personal experience and experiences of people that are near and dear to my heart, that somehow, someway we have been fatherless.
I truly believe that the United States of America and many places around the world have had a lack of mentorship. There are very few, that are willing to become a father, for many reasons which are probably unmeasurable. This is why I believe Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) is so important. CLI is just not creating a platform that is accessible and in my opinion Kingdom Minded, but also, CLI is taking a huge part in providing the proper mentorship that was not given to many that have not had a father figure.
CLI is granting me the necessary tools that I need to be an equipped spiritual father, able to enable and equip others in their walk with God and therefore ensuring that they effectively affect those in their sphere of influence. I am so grateful that this Vision was implanted I’m a man with a kingdom mindset and with a heart to reach people and see them walking out there calling.
My prayer and revival dream is that this would spread out like wildfire and people start to perceive the necessity of equipping themselves. I believe this will have a huge impact in the Ecclesia and this will provoke a new wave of Revival in the United States and all over the world. I ask that you keep me in your prayers as well, for God to provide resources but more importantly to give me boldness, guidance, and wisdom to walk out every inch of what has been predestined for me.
If you want to help bring more revival leader click here and see how you can help CLI with their revival dream.
God had a Plan
Even in the darkest of beginning, this CLI student knew God had a plan for her life. As she went from foster home to foster home she came to know God could give her a true home.
Read her story below:
My first memory was walking around an apartment following my older sister and looking out of a window that I could hardly reach the ledge on. I remember how blue the sky was and how white the clouds appeared. Not long after that, I was told my sister and I were found in an abandoned building on the West side of Chicago. One of the toughest areas of Chicago. I was almost two years old and my sister was almost three years old. By the time I was five I had been in four foster homes but we did find a permanency. My life there was filled with rejection, hatred, abuse physically and mentally and neglect. However, God had a plan.
I am a married mother of two girls who love the Lord. Taking classes at CLI is my first step in answering the call of servitude and ministry God placed on my life even as a child. I’m excited about the revival of the people in my community. I plan to use my training at CLI to further my knowledge as a Minister. My heart’s passion is to minister to the youth and enlighten them on who they are in Christ. I want to go into the streets of Chicago and lend a helping hand to the lost and be a beacon of light in some vastly dark places in Chicago. I can remember how it felt as a child not having anyone you can depend on but God put a neighbor in my life who took my sister and me to church every Sunday.
I felt the spirit of God in my life at an early age. I was eleven years old when I sang my first solo in church and I was really feeling down about the way things were going at home but as I began to sing praises unto God I felt a warmth come all over me. I began to have a peace that I couldn’t even explain. My neighbor was that vessel that beacon of light for me that showed me the love of Jesus. I want to be that same light for the youth in my community who have been abused, neglected, forgotten and burden down. I want the word of God to be a healing and deliverance to them and I pray that God will use me to do just that.
Having a scholarship from CLI will allow me to gain the tools I need to become a respected member of ministry and minister to the hearts of God’s people. The scholarship will allow me to be able to work and study so that I can answer the call God has on my life and be a help to the youth in my community.
Check out more stories on the CLI Facebook page about how God had a plan.
(THIS EVENT IS OVER
CLI 2017 Conference
(THIS EVENT IS OVER)
North Charleston, SC – Extended Stay America, Charleston Airport, 5045 North Arco Lane, North Charleston, SC 29418 Tuesday March 7th, 2017
President Henry Reyenga will be handing out FREE 2017-2018 ID Cards and you will have the opportunity to participate in the Graduation Ceremony at the CLI 2017 Conference.
To receive your certificate, diploma, ordination or degree at the conference you must order before February 15th! Your order will reserve your spot at the conference. Spouses and children are welcome to attend for FREE.
CLI New House Church Launch, New Programs, Graduation Awards, Ordination Prayers, Testimonies, Networking, Photo Ops, Question and Answer Sessions, and more information about programs and accreditation, and much more!
Christian Leaders was founded in the heart of President Henry Reyenga on September 11, 2001. In fifteen years, high-quality Free Ministry Training has spread the globe with over 11,800 graduates in 160 countries. The USA is the largest country with over 7,000 graduates.
Who is invited? Any active or reactivating student or graduate from CLI. You can still be in the Getting Started Class to attend. Brand new students are welcome. Spouses attend free.
Theme Verse: Romans 16:3-5
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house.
When: 7:00-9:00 pm meeting:
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm President Reyenga and Professor Elzinga present keynote addresses
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Graduation Award Presentations, Ordination Prayers, and Testimonies (Invite mentors, family and friends to come to this hour)
North Charleston, SC – Extended Stay America, Charleston Airport, 5045 North Arco Lane, North Charleston, SC 29418 Tuesday March 7th, 2017
President Henry Reyenga will be handing out FREE 2017-2018 ID Cards and you will have the opportunity to participate in the Graduation Ceremony at the CLI 2017 Conference.
To receive your certificate, diploma, ordination or degree at the conference you must order before February 15th! Your order will reserve your spot at the conference. Spouses are welcome and can attend for free.
