Leading Home Groups
My name is David Smith and I live in the South of England near Portsmouth, UK. I’m married 2 years to my beautiful wife Kathy and I work as an IT Systems Administrator.
I gave my life to Christ as a young lad at the age of 10 but after a while became a bit of a complacent Christian. I cared greatly and deeply about other people’s feelings which caused me to go a bit adrift, I wasn’t going to church as much, my prayer life diminished. My life just seemed to fly off the rails a bit while I was growing up and by the grand old age of 39 was plunged into complete chaos of a magnitude that even I couldn’t truly comprehend. Without going into too much personal details I essentially lost everything that I had ever strived and worked for in life. I lost my home, possessions, and my family. The reasons behind these were not of my doing, but because of my nature of caring for people I was essentially taken advantage of on both emotional and financial levels which led me to my fall, I became an utterly broken man.
It was in this brokenness, you could say I was at the very bottom of the barrel, that the Lord met with me. He told me that He loves me and that I am forgiven, I was given 3 phrases all of which were perfectly clear. I was to TRUST, LET GO & FORGIVE and I would HEAL. From this day onward I put all my trust in my Lord Jesus knowing that I could not live life as I had as this was leading me to destruction. My life and circumstance improved in leaps and bounds within a matter of a few months, as my Dad put it, “David I am rejoicing in what the Lord has blessed you and I with, my prayers have been answered and you have truly come home to your Heavenly Father”. I started to meet regularly with my brothers and sisters in Christ at church bringing praise and worship back to our Father and started to grow and grow in the Spirit. I liken my trust to God, Jesus and Holy Spirit now to that of a child standing on top of a shed. My Father is on the ground calling me to jump into His arms, I can hear Him say, trust me I will not let you fall. So this is now every day of my life living by the Spirit in faith and trust. God has reshaped my life through my obedience to Him and made me a stronger man both spiritually and emotionally.
I mentioned at the very beginning that I live in the South of England. During the very brief outline above of my brokenness I was living in the North of England in Yorkshire. Now God loves each and every one of us and here now is an example of such love. After getting back on my feet and into work again a year or so passed. It was announced at work that the company was going into administration. The news though disappointing did not upset me, why? My trust is in my Father and I knew that he wouldn’t let me fall. I prayed about the situation and asked the Lord to provide a job but most of all to send me where he needed me to be. In faith I applied for jobs all over the United Kingdom in the field of IT Systems Administrator. Out of 72 jobs applied for only 1 job interview was given. The interview was arranged 3 days after applying and was over 200 miles away. In faith I went to the interview and 5 days later was offered the job to start in 10 days time. Wow things were certainly moving. There were of course 2 obstacles, I needed a car as this job was for a mobile administrator servicing various locations in the area and also I needed accommodation. I didn’t have any capital at this time to buy a car. I committed this in prayer and trust and said to our Lord, if this is where you need me to be Lord then please provide the solution to these needs. I accepted the job offer and walked each day in faith and trust. 3 days before I was due to start the job in the south there was a chap who stated that he had heard about my predicament and wanted to give me £1000 to buy a reliable 2nd hand car, 1 day before I was due to start I was given a call to say a room was ready for me nearby to my new work. Wow, Lord you have supplied again, praise Your Name. Everything rolled perfectly from the move to starting the new job.
A few days after arriving in the South of England I met Kathy on a Christian dating site. Her catching statement was simply “I want to meet another person who loves our Lord Jesus”. My catching statement was simply, “Jesus is my first love and He comes before anything and anyone else”. We seemed to hit it off very well and agreed to meet. From our very first meeting we felt an attraction which quickly grew into a love that we couldn’t possibly describe. I attended church with Kathy, Kathy had an active role in the church as a Worship leader. Our love for each other and our love for our Lord grew deeper and deeper every single minute of every day. We decided to get married. The Lord continues to bless us each and every day. We put Him first in everything we do and seek His will for our lives both as individuals and as a couple.
I now take an active part in church life, where God is making wonderful changes in people, encouraging and building. His Name be glorified for his love and blessings poured out on us all.
I know the Lord has called me to my area to lead and encourage in ministry and has equipped me greatly to bring His Word and encouragement to others both in and outside of the church sharing Gods love, Jesus, the Kingdom and His Word with all. This scholarship will help to bolster this both spiritually and academically for me and open a door. I also hope and pray that this statement helps to encourage others who may read it. God loves each and every one of us, trust Him in all things and step out in faith.
A Woman Ordained for Ministry
My name is Robin Hood, and I live in the United States of America. In the United States, often, ministry is not done anywhere, in schools, some buildings, and offices, God isn’t allowed. There is a lot of debate, arguments, and hatred towards Christians. To me, ministry should be done everywhere. Everywhere, can consist of at work, at home, in your school, or even where there are no four walls. Being a Christian isn’t the most popular choice here in the United States, though there is freedom of speech, some are still persecuted, and bullied even for being a Christian. Some are willing to be a Christian when they hear of the love of God found in His Son Jesus who died for our sins, while others aren’t.
I came to know the Lord as my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when I was 14 years old. It was a moment in my life I will never forget. This took place within the four walls of Cherith Baptist Church in Carson, Ms.
My ministry dream is to carry the gospel, and the love of Christ to all that are broken, hurting or lost. To live as Christ outside of these four walls, so that others will see Him, and want to know Him. I have a passion to help others, to see their lives changed, and for them to experience this wonderful life Jesus gives us, without fear or loneliness plaguing them, or causing them to hurt themselves or others. I long to be everything He wants me to be for someone else. I am truly just a servant for Christ, I want to be His hands and feet, and whatever that looks like, that is what my dream looks like.
I currently help at the Life-House here in Winfield, Alabama, founded by Bro. Jeff Norris. My husband, Dale is the Men’s house director, and side by side with him, I help in whatever I can. Sometimes this just looks like me standing in agreement with one of our brothers or sisters in Christ, or being an ear to listen to them, or even to pray with them, especially to pray for and with them.
I don’t know exactly when the moment I wanted to pursue ministry. I do know that all my life I have longed to be something. I didn’t think it would ever be a public speaker or a women’s leader. I never thought it would involve other people. I believe when I was younger it was to be either a teacher or a veterinarian. I believe all of us have a calling to ministry, it all depends on whether we are attentive to the voice of God or not.
In 2013, I messed my life up a good bit, and I had felt for once in my life like I would never be able to go back to the person I once was. It seemed as if everyone hated me, and I was all alone. But, I knew Jesus was there, and I knew that He would help me. He sent me new friends, a new church family, another chance, and a new life. I remember talking to these broken women, who had spent so much of their lives in drug addictions, and no my testimony wasn’t the same as theirs, but I realized they needed the same love that set me free.
I remember working one day, and talking to my boss about this dream God had placed in my heart for women, broken, and abused, to help them. I didn’t realize that God had just given me a dream, and I was living it. No, I’m not the “director”, but I get to partner with her, and all these other amazing people and help the ones that God so graciously puts in our lives. So, I believe in a way, all of this was God’s dream for me. I want Him to dream for me. God knew my heart from the beginning, and He knew how quiet and closed in I am, and He knew that if He directly spoke this to me, that I probably would run for the hills!
The unique challenges of this area that come to mind are the church experiences. These church experiences that many of us hear about aren’t good experiences. Some have felt judged when they enter a church, maybe not by people that know them, but just by their appearance they don’t feel like they fit in. Also, there are a lot of addictions here, and I know this isn’t just here but everywhere, and a lot of the ones that come here find it hard to stay on the right path. This leads into what they would call “so-called church members” turn their backs on them, instead of reaching out and helping them. I understand that most don’t want the help, but Jesus wouldn’t give up so how can we?
My local church is amazing. I am surrounded by a group of men and women that have been in this so long, but still, they are forever learning something new. They long to see me succeed and to grow in the Lord more and more. There are times when they won’t let me stay in my shell. They have truly been my backbone through all of this. They are constantly reminding me to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and not to lean on my understanding.
My family has been another backbone for me. They are very supportive and believe in me. My husband is constantly telling me not to give up to keep pushing forward to be a woman ordained for ministry in our community. He believes in the calling and in the dream that God has placed in my heart. On November 30, 2016, my father went to be with the Lord. In so many ways he and my mom have played a crucial part in my walk. I can always remember my mother, who is still living, reading the Bible and praying to God. My daddy went to college and received an Associate’s Degree in Ministry, and when I asked him why he did it, his response was because he wanted to help people. It was told at his funeral, that even in the condition he was in, when in the nursing home, that he would always have a smile on his face. The ones he left behind, were so touched by his friendship and life, they mourned him so when he was gone. But there’s one thing they could all say, and that was that he lived each day trusting in the Lord.
This mantle has fallen to me, and I have picked it up. I want to help people. Often, God does things in mysterious and unpredictable ways.
I remember reading the story of Elijah and Elisha and crying my eyes out because this was the story of my dad and I. God doesn’t look at the outer appearance or gender of a person, but He focuses on the heart of a person. I have a brother, who yes, he could get into ministry and I pray someday he will, but believing in Jesus and standing for truth is what God has been working on him with for a long time now. God chose me for such a time as this…. And He is constantly using my dad’s life to remind me that I have to continue. Daddy had a sweet entrance into heaven, and he fought such a hard fight, but if you asked him right now if he was alone, he would tell you, no. He has finally entered Beulah Land, the land in which he has longed for as long as I have known him.
God has used the distance between my family and me for such good things (1) showing me how faithful He is and how He keeps His promise (2) helping me to depend on Him through everything as a family that we have faced.
I have accomplished so much during my seeking ordination through CLI, and though there have been so many trials and struggles, God has just been so much bigger.
Pray for more of God, and continuing lessening of self. I long for more, and I know there must be so much more that we have yet to see in our lives, as well as our ministry. Wherever this ordination takes me, and to whomever I meet, pray for this journey to be everything God wants it to be. I know this is truly one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. I am so appreciative to CLI, for all the professors, and teachers, and for everything this college has put forth to help those like me to pursue the dream God has for them. Whatever this becomes, to God alone be the glory.
-Robin Hood
Pentecostal Minister Training
Greetings! My name is Lolard Alan Simmons III. I am an America Pentecostal minister in the Greater Houston Texas area. A major challenge to doing ministry in the fourth largest city in America is an overpopulation of religious institutions. It seems there is a ministry on every block.
Christians here tend to assume everyone has their group chosen already. I cannot remember the last time a group knocked on my door. Witnessing efforts have gone nearly extinct. As a natural progression, apathy has settled into our congregations, regarding salvation experiences. Ministry focuses more on living “right” than on being saved in the first place. A burden for souls is an uncommon phrase to hear, and less so in application.
A secondary issue facing our Churches is a practice of aversion (literally, we turned away). Sometimes, this manifests as a simple inhospitality to visitors of certain groups or types of people. Examples would include the following: the homeless, poor, handicapped, infirmed, mentally disabled, interracial couples, unwed couples, expectant teenage parents, the LGBTQCIA community and many others.
Other times, it is a direct request that these people find a different location to gain ministry. It is as if we have forgotten the Great Commission to spread the Good News of the Gospel to ALL people.
My ministry dream is to realign the Christian world with just that message; ALL people means even those with whom we may be uncomfortable ministering. I am convinced, if we laid aside our aversions completely, opened our doors to ALL who want to join us, created a welcoming and nonjudgmental overall environment and make follow-up contact with these forgotten, forsaken and forbidden souls, we would have a massive increase in conversions to Christ.
This increase in conversions would inspire us afresh and anew. In turn, apathy would be less common or eradicated completely. A revival could spark into an inferno of Holy Spirit led the revival. We could see a radical change of atmosphere in our city, and in yours alike. Henceforth, evangelism is my primary focus.
I came to Jesus at the end of a revival meeting at the age of 11. I had been raised in a Christian inspired home. However, this evangelist brought the message forward to our Church in an in-your-face, now or maybe never again fashion. I felt as if the Holy Spirit might never speak to me again if I did not respond immediately. My pastor led me to Jesus at the beginning of that alter call. My brother, Scott was saved that night as well. Pastor Charlie Barnes baptised us shortly after that. Mt Zion SB Church in Piasa Illinois was a Church on fire for quite some time.
At the age of 14, I answered God’s call to preach. My first sermon was at that same Church of my salvation. By 16, I was pastor at Bethlehem SB Church in neighbouring Shipman Illinois. It was that same year, Pastor Lucille Anderson of Fidelity Assembly of God in Fidelity Illinois prayed me through the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. I was a spirit-filled Pentecostal pastoring a Southern Baptist Church. It was a God Happening every week. There was a sense of revival over our area.
I am currently being shepherded at Gateway of Hope Church in Houston Texas. My pastor is a spirit filled a man with a desire to raise up an army of well-prepared ministers, evangelists, teachers, deacons, elders, and worship leaders. He is not focused on numbers in the seats. He is our Apostle Paul, mentoring each of us. He invites these junior disciples to fill his pulpit regularly. My Church inspires me often. I thank God for them daily. There is an anointing constantly upon the worship team which flows into the crowd. We know that Jesus is a regular member.
My fiance was the main contributing factor in my return to ministry and seeking online training in biblical studies. He is my daily inspiration. Without David, the Holy Spirit would have had a much harder time of convincing me to leap out of complacency. I praise God for introducing us.
After many failed attempts to gain ministry studies that were affordable, flexible and inclusive, I happened across the advertisement for CLI. Christian Leaders Institute was exactly what I needed to complete my Pentecostal Minister Training that fits my schedule! As a full time truck driver, I work up to 16 hours a day and five or six days a week. The at your pace, no rush atmosphere of study is fantastic for me. The teaching seems sound, thus far. Leadership has a passion for this same revival I seek to inspire. Their scholarship class has been challenging, but not overwhelming. The material is well prepared. Their campus being online is impressive. Their reach is worldwide. They make exceptions for students in countries that are not receptive to the Christian message. I feel I have found a great place to grow.
As this article draws to a close, I would ask you to pray for my ministry in these following areas. I crave an overpowering anointing for souls, boldness to mention Jesus everywhere I travel to as many as will hear me, and a silencing from the Holy Spirit when I have spoken enough words. I sometimes say too much. I further ask that I be led to those souls the Church has chosen to leave out: those who feel forgotten, those who sense they were forsaken, and those who were flat forbidden from worshipping somewhere. I ask that God leads me to them. Pray for me, and I will pray for the readers of this posting as well. May you be blessed by his Spirit today. Amen
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