My name is Toni McClenon. I reside in the United States. Since our marriage in 1999, my husband and I have five children. I always seek ways to draw closer to God and pray the same for our family, friends, and people worldwide. This desire and my calling to family outreach ministry brought me to the Christian Leaders Institute.
My Testimony
I have always believed in Jesus Christ. After marriage, I began to mature and wanted to elevate spiritually. At one point, I attended a church near my home. I had my first experience receiving the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Shortly after I became a church member, doctors diagnosed me with a Chiari I Malformation and hydro syringomyelia, complex brain and spinal cord abnormalities. A new condition to doctors in my area, none of them knew how to treat me. Therefore, I left the situation in God’s hands.
One day, I received a call from a neurosurgeon who performed my brain decompression surgery. I was in the hospital for six days (three days in ICU). During my hospital stay, a staff member was passing my room, and she told me that God was watching over me. She could not find the right words to explain it, but I knew exactly how to explain it. God healed me. He is my healer and yours, too!
God has made a way for me in more ways than I can count. He made a way for me financially to have my brain decompression surgery. He allowed me to regain my physique and be the active person I used to be. My case was passed on to several health facilities, but those doctors turned me down because of the complications surrounding my condition. No one wanted to touch me. The only reason that specific doctor was able to operate on me was because God allowed it. God hand-picked the surgeon specifically for me. This testimony is just one of many for me.
Family Outreach Ministry Training at CLI
I always seek to draw closer to God and need the training, leadership, and management skills to feel more confident sharing the gospel. Since starting the Christian Leaders Institute, I have felt strongly about family outreach ministry. God is calling me to help families in my reach—families and individuals in my community struggling with hardships every day. I continue to pray about it. God is preparing me in this area of ministry. I am so thankful for CLI and the sponsors who make it possible for students to receive free ministry training. Excited about my new journey, I pray that others will come into the knowledge of Christ and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
I am Mitch Needelman from the United States. The tuition-free minister education at the Christian Leaders Institute is equipping me for my ministry service.
My Journey
My relationship with the Lord was a slow, smoldering burn over time. It ultimately caught fire once it got the oxygen it needed.
I grew up Jewish. I believed in God and revered Him during various times of my life. However, my upbringing felt more like family traditions or a lifestyle than having a personal relationship with God. Once I moved away for college, a time came when I questioned religion.
Trauma and Marriage
The seeds of my walk with Jesus were sewn through my wife. Before I came to Christ, my two most traumatic experiences were losing my mom when I was 20 and my wife losing her dad five years later.
When I lost my mom, I was very distant from God and turned away from Him. When my wife lost her dad, she turned toward the Lord and leaned on Him. Witnessing her find comfort in the Lord, rededicating herself to Him, reevaluating and re-prioritizing her life had a profound impact on me. I admired her conviction when I asked her to marry me and even agreed she could raise our kids Christian – if that’s what it took for her to say “yes.” However, I made it clear to her not to try and convert me!
Growth and Salvation
Like many guys, my life before Christ revolved around trying to advance at work and make a good living, being a good husband and dad, and providing a life for my family. For several years, my wife faithfully attended church. When each of our kids came of age, she brought them with her while I stayed home with the baby. We went to church for Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, and perhaps other Sundays. However, mostly, I was home taking care of the youngest.
When our fourth child was no longer an infant, I started wanting to go to church. I became conscious of the little miracles and “God winks” occurring in our lives and others around us. God sent people who were “full” – wise, at peace, confident, and complete – into my life. I developed a passion for learning about Jesus and was intrigued by the linkage between Christianity and Judaism.
For any new believer, there ultimately comes a time when you intentionally decide to step out in faith, surrender, and accept Jesus into your heart. That time was October 23, 2010, at our church’s men’s retreat. Afterward, I became a student of the Lord and trusted Him. I gave up my identity and began to rely on Him. I was accountable to Him and strived to become the spiritual leader of my family.
Health Challenge
A little over two years after I gave my life to Christ, I discovered I had stage 3 colon cancer. It was a lot to accept. I was 41 with a beautiful wife and four extraordinary kids to think about. I wondered if the youngest would even remember me if I passed.
Sometimes, I’m asked if I was ever mad at God or lost faith while going through my trial. In reality, I leaned on Him and witnessed Him work through my life. There genuinely are gifts received throughout one’s trial. That’s not to say being sick was fun or without fear or difficulties. However, I certainly experienced intense love, joy, and an appreciation that can only be realized when one is in Christ and has rid oneself of all mental clutter. In addition, it made a lot of people in my life stop in their tracks and evaluate their own life and health. I like to believe people who witnessed my sickness also saw my faith throughout. It also brought them closer to the Lord.
Looking Ahead: Tuition-Free Minister Education at CLI
Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks ahead. So here I am, over 12 years into my walk with Jesus, and trying to make the most of my “bonus time.” I am as hungry for Him as ever and want to say “Yes” when I know I am called. My spiritual dream is to live a Christ-centered life that encourages people and glorifies God.
For the last ten years, my wife and I have shepherded engaged couples through a six-session program based on scripture. It gives them practical tools that equip them to overcome the challenges of marriage and start their journey on a rock-solid foundation (www.marriagebygod.org).
I was asked to officiate a wedding in May of 2023, which is how I found the Christian Leaders Institute. My classes were helpful and enjoyable, so I want to continue my tuition-free minister education at CLI. I don’t know exactly where it will lead me, but I’m excited to find out.
If you had told me 15 years ago that I’d share my testimony online, proclaim my love for Jesus, and pursue a path that leads to ministry — I would have told you you’ve lost your mind. But then again – we’re talking about God here!!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
Name Change Announcement:
Since 2019, the higher education arm of Christian Leaders Ministries has held the name Christian Leaders College. Throughout the college, however, the name used by staff, faculty, administration, board, and students has been Christian Leaders Institute, a ministry of Christian Leaders Ministries.
Effective immediately, the education arm of Christian Leaders is Christian Leaders Institute. The Institute will provide education through two schools, Christian Development School and Leadership Excellence School. CLI’s Christian Development School will offer non-degree programs, such as awards, certificates, and diplomas. Many have taken these programs under the name of Christian Leaders Institute, which will now describe only the entire institution.
CLI’s Leadership Excellence School will offer degree programs in the tradition of higher education and will include graduation requirements as have been included in degree programs at the college from the beginning.
New Self-Care Mini Course
Christian leaders are called to serve others, but they also need to take care of themselves. Self-care is not selfish; it is essential for effective ministry. When leaders are thriving and physically and spiritually rested, they are better able to serve others with love, compassion, and joy.
This course will provide Christian leaders with the tools and resources they need to practice self-care and teach self-care to others
Last chance to sign up for the 2023 Convention!
Don’t miss the opportunity for in-person fellowship and a drawing for 3 sponsored degrees for eligible students.