Ednalyn Lebrino Story and Journey in Ministry Training
Ednalyn Lebrino – “There are a lot of poor people, the streets are dirty and a lot of slum area”. These are the answers I got from an Iranian Muslim Dentistry Student when I asked her regarding her impression on my country. I was grieved. She added that the Philippines is the only Christian country in Asia. Another bullet shot straight to my chest.
It is true that there are a lot of poor people here despite the fact that we are rich in natural resources. It is also true that the streets are dirty especially during the rainy days. It is absolutely true that there are a lot of slum areas because I experience living there for 11 years.
Many Filipinos blame the corrupt politicians for the dirty image we impress upon the foreigners. But the real problem is-our moral bankruptcy.
Though there are a lot of religions in the country: Roman Catholic, Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), Islam, Buddhism, ” Dating Daan” and sects like Rizalistas and counting, ministries are greatly needed due to the great number of people who are blinded by the world and living in the darkness.no
I, Ednalyn Lebrino, was in that same darkness before. Born as a second child, I lost my father at an early age. After one week, our house was burned in a residential fire. Relatives helped us to start again from scratch by giving us monetary help and temporary lodging. Being the middle child, I was often neglected and less-loved. When I started school, I was bullied by my classmates because I was an orphan.I tried to fight back resulting a numerous streets fights. I blamed and hated God for all the miseries. I cried every night to sleep and tried to commit suicide several times until I reached teenage years but often fail. During High School, I focused on studying well even getting high honors. But still, I am depressed. In college, I learned how to drink alcohol, skipped classes and often times involved in numerous heated arguments with my classmates. I also failed my major subject due to my computer games addiction. My soul was never at ease with what I was doing with my life. Thinking of death was my only comfort not until Jesus seeked me. A high school acquaintance invited me to a Bible Study. At first I hesitated but because I wanted to get away from home for a meanwhile, I went. There were series of singing and talking which I was not accustomed to. Then, the moment of truth. The woman shared with me the gospel and asked me if I want Jesus in my life. The gospel sounds great and I am dying for peace so I said yes. True enough, I found Peace. Now, I am an active member of an evangelical church and a volunteer in the Kid’s church.
Living the life Jesus has given me is a gift. This gift is meant to be shared. After gaining wisdom about His faithfulness, I was burdened by God to do ministry to help other people like me who was living in darkness to find the light. It is my deepest desire to share this hope that I have.
This is the same hope the people needs. In Laperal, (the slum area I came from before I was adopted by my Aunt) I saw a lot of teenagers who got pregnant as early as 14. Prostitution and theft are normal things for them. Gambling and drugs are there way of life. My heart ached for them. Only Jesus can lift up their burden. His gospel is the only thing that could destroy the leash of Satan over them.
I was serving in a ministry before in that area and faced a lot of opposition. Some people stoned us and even throw manure at us. Other members of our ministry were even beaten. Still, there are few who stepped up and proclaim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But our ministry ended last 2014 due to many factors and that includes lack of training.
CLI is so important for me to revive the ministry in Laperal. For me, finding this free scholarship was an answered prayer. I was discouraged to study in a Bible School because of large tuition fee. But now, I am always excited to study online at my own pace. I am only using my android phone but the wisdom I am gaining is vast.
God is faithful and true to His promises. I asked and I received. I pray that I will be fully equipped to do ministry again. Through CLI, God’s kingdom will be proclaimed even in the heart of Satan’s Lair. I am claiming Romans 16:20 “The Lord of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”.
THIS EVENT IS OVER
Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration Tour 2016
CLI Celebration Tour -Phoenix, AZ on Tuesday, January 26 – La Quinta Inn and Suites 4727 East Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Register Now (Click Basic or Celebration) Basic $25 Celebration $50
Early Bird Special – Order by December 31st and get $15 off the Celebration Package (A15) or
$5 off the Basic Package (A5)
CLI Information, Graduation Awards, Ordination Prayers, Testimonies, Networking, Photo Ops, Question and Answer Sessions, Ambassador 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 8,500 graduates in 158 countries. The USA is the largest country with over 4,500 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 1:11-12
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
When: 6:00-9:00 pm meeting:
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Networking Dinner (Food you eat while using your people smart in ministry skills) Meet President Henry Reyenga and Professor Steve Elzinga who are hosting the events.
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)
Conference Celebration Package: $50 price includes ($15 off if you order by Dec 31st, Enter Code A15)
Networking Dinner (spouse eats free)
Offical Embossed Award: Most Recent Certificate or Diploma
Christan Leaders Institute Pin
Chrisitan Leaders Anniversary
Christian Leaders Institute Cap
Conference Basic Package: $25 Price includes ($5 off if you order by Dec 31st, Enter Code A15)
Networking Dinner (spouse eats free)
Full Color Prayer Calendar & Christian Leaders Pin
CLI Celebration Tour -Phoenix, AZ – La Quinta Inn and Suites 4727 East Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Register Now (Click Basic or Celebration) Basic $25 Celebration $50
Early Bird Special – Order by December 31st and get $15 off the Celebration Package (A15) or
$5 off the Basic Package (A5)
The Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration Tour has a small charge so we can help with the cost of travel expenses and know who will be coming in order to be ready.
Continuing Education for Pastors
Continuing education for pastors is very important for a number of reasons. Ministry Magazine published an important article called “Why Continuing Education?” by John Osborn that underlined the need for continuing education for pastors in local churches. This article points out how not only do doctors need to have updated knowledge, but pastors do too.
John Osborn wrote,
It’s not only physicians who are caught up in the knowledge explosion. Ministers are too. The minister is constantly called upon to face new conditions and problems demanding fresh knowledge and increased skill. Often he faces an active, aggressive, highly educated laity. They sometimes challenge the preacher more than he challenges them. They want him to update himself. They want increased performance, better preaching, more efficient pastoral care, and greater capability in running church organization. In fact, I firmly believe that the minister is expected to do more things, and do them well, than is any other professional.
The fact is that pastors today face many challenges. These challenges are difficult if the local pastor is not informed about lacking areas. One of the most popular classes at Christian Leaders Institute is the People Smart in Ministry Class. The People Smart in Ministry course discusses how to be intelligent when dealing with people in life and ministry. This class helps Christian leaders identify common principles for effective communication and how to improve their effectiveness. Hundreds of students have taken this class. This is an excellent example of continuing education for pastors on topics that may not be covered at the typical seminary. Barbara Kalvelage shared why she appreciated the People Smart in Ministry course,
This course was very helpful for me in preparing for possible pitfalls that I may encounter in my ministry. I was especially interested in Clergy-killers…I now understand what one family was able to do to a true man of God “for the good of the Church” and how they accomplished their mission to destroy him because he changed the music from organ to piano. I hope that I will be able to recognize the danger signs.
Many pastors have not had the advantage of formal seminary training. In many churches and denominations, pastors must be ordained without formal training because the need for ministry in their local area is great. Local denominations often provide alternative ministry training but continuing education for pastors courses would be considered valuable for ongoing ministry effectiveness. Pastor Stan Raibley of The Church Moving Closer to People is one such pastor. He is a recent Certificate Graduate of Christian Leaders Institute. He wrote,
I was apprehensive in taking courses at my age, but I did it anyway. I’ve been pastoring for the past couple of years and though I’ve never had formal training, I was able to get enought credits through my denomination’s courses for ordination. I still felt lacking in proper training. Now that I’ve completed the first certificate, I can’t wait to continue learning. The layout and pace is exactly what I need. If you are serious about leadership, I encourage you to sign on with the Christian Leaders Institute. God bless.
The Ministry Magazine article pointed out that continuing education for pastors is optimal if that education is a systematic process, meaning that,
Education, then, to be not only continuous but strenuous, demands mental sweat. It is a systematic process. It has purpose and an objective. It is not light reading or a casual listening to tape-recorded materials. It is more than accumulated experience. It is the result of consecutive and organized study.
Christian Leaders Institute provides the systematic study in a growing curriculum of ministry education. Continuing education for pastors is free at Christian Leaders Institute. Christian Leaders Institute opens the door for opportunity. If you are a pastor and interested, just sign up and give this a try. If you are a leader in your church, share this opportunity with your pastor.