Study the Bible
My name is Saris Hovaguimian. I was born in 1962 in Aleppo, Syria. I lived in Lebanon until the age of 14, and I have been a resident of California since 1978.
I was brought up in a religious family, attending the Armenia Apostolic Cathedral. During my elementary school 
years, I attended an all-boys Catholic school. In my 20’s, I served in the Armenian Cathedral Choir for 15 years and helped raise funds to build a youth center . My family is very religious, God fearing, and relying on the tradition in the Church. I still see my mother and father reading the bible together. That is how they start their day.
During the time I was serving on the Church choir, I was attending law school and graduated with my Juris Doctor degree in 1987. During this time, I became distant from our Church, due to everyday Church politics, where as a young man, I walked away. As I moved further and further from my religion.
In 2112, when my career was at its top, I fell ill and I was diagnosed with congesting heart failure when my lungs were retaining fluids and I could not even walk five feet. It was so bad that I had to resign. I had to resign my position of Assistant Dean of Students at a private four-year college; I could not even leave the house. Thinking back, I believe it was God demanding my attention, when for ten years, nothing worked. After one year of doctors, and testing, I underwent a quadruple bypass. During the one year of home confinement, I started to follow Dr. Charles Stanley and his broadcasts, on a daily basis, and I started to study the bible myself. Something I had never done.
On July 18, 2014 at 5:30am as they were wheeling me into the operating room, I said “God, Your Will be done in my life. I thank you for your Grace that saved me through faith. I knew it was God’s plan, asking for my attention for obedience. That was the day where my life as a religious person ended and my relationship with God began. From that day on, my daily devotion in the mornings includes my daily reading, a conversation with the Lord, and in occasions, on my way to work, the presence of the Holy Spirit is so powerful, that the broadcasts on the radio are directed to me. I have learned to Trust God, Obey God and Leave all the consequences to HIM.
I was saved by His Grace, and by good works, it is my intention to live and walk with him, praising him, glorifying him on every turn on the road to salvation.
This is my sincere belief that I can make a difference in at least one person’s life, where they can see such a tremendous change, where I know, I have His Mercy and Grace, and that I was important enough where Jesus Christ, shed his blood, for my salvation.
Sarkis Hovaguimian, M.Ed., J.D
Corona, CA
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My name is David, and I was born in the USA in 1993. I have three amazing kids, one of which I’ll get to meet when I finally go to Heaven. Ministry in the United States is fun, yet a challenging thing to do. Although we have freedom of religion, there are people who try and make it so we cannot share the Word of GOD with others.
I came to know the Lord when a friend invited me to go to church with him. However, all we did was play video games the entire time. It wasn’t until I went on my first mission trip (for all the wrong reasons) that I finally came to call the Lord my GOD and accept Him into my life.
Ever since the day I came to Christ, I’ve felt called to become a youth pastor to show kids the love of Christ, the same way they had shown me. I had a real heart for the missionary field and wanted to share my love and passion for that with the youth I will one day work with. My hope is that GOD will show just how blessed that they are for the things that they take for granted every day. Eventually, I want to start my church so I can show what GOD has planned for me and my passion for Him.
I’m blessed to have a wife that supports my dream and is willing to help me to reach it. I’m still in the beginning stages of my goal and ask that you pray for GOD’S continued guidance, wisdom, and mercy along my path. Thank you for all you’re doing to make my dream become a reality. Without CLI I wouldn’t be able to afford any proper training, and would still be struggling with GOD’S calling for my life.
My name is Ann Trojan, and I live in New York State, USA. Because of our Veterans who have fought, and continue to fight, we are free to minister in our country.
I was raised Catholic and discontinued attending church many years ago. My husband was raised Baptist, and we attended church occasionally. We felt as though something was missing in our marriage and our daily lives. In early February of this year, my husband suggested we attend Love City Church in our hometown. I learned so much that day and gave myself to the Lord a couple of weeks later. I was baptised the following month!
In April, Our Heavenly Father called me to teach. While He hasn’t yet shown me in what capacity I will be teaching, I know in my heart of hearts that that is what He has chosen me to.
As a music teacher, I immediately identify with Pastor/Teacher. As I continue to learn from CLI and my pastors, I have a deep down desire to spread the truth; The Word. I am ministering, in the simplest of ways, to friends now who desire to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.
From the very moment I was baptised, I clearly remember feeling the Holy Spirit alive within me. Many of the witnesses told me I was glowing. The day is one that will forever be stuck in my mind and is the day I began to walk in God’s grace.
I live in an area of New York State that is poverty stricken and one where some have labelled our Church as a “cult”. When I tell people that I no longer practice Catholicism and have been baptised as a Christian, I receive some questioning looks. I explain to them the reasons behind my decision and the difference between Catholicism and being a Christian. Whether they are open to receive the Truth or not, I choose to love them.
There is now a Bible college at my church. When it began, my Pastors suggested I enrol. I informed them that I had already begun classes through CLI and they were thrilled that I had begun my ministry training. One of the Pastors is my mentor, and she invited me to audit the classes through our Church. She is very supportive and has guided me through some of the trials in my life. Many members of the Church are also aware that I am enrolled at CLI and inquire how my class(es) are going. Our Church is a very large family; a family who loves and supports each other either through casual conversation or prayer.
A scholarship to CLI will help me continue God’s calling for me. At the age of 44, I am still paying off college loans for my teaching degree and administrative degree. Therefore, it would be near impossible for me to pursue my calling in ministry.
I ask that you pray that God bestows on me the gifts of continued unwavering faith and knowledge, a committed walk with Him and continual support of my husband and few close friends. I ask that you pray for my Pastors and bless them with all that God has to bestow upon them.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace we are saved through faith; and that is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.