Rochelle Pedersen strayed from Christianity along her journey in the Western Cape. She later on experienced God’s calling to her to return to Christianity and searched for a solution in seminary without financial or geographical obligations. She found Christian Leaders Institute and enrolled for Christian Guidance in South Africa. Here is her story…
Christian Guidance in South Africa – Rochelle’s Story
My name is Rochelle Pedersen and I live in the Western Cape, South Africa.I grew up in a Christian home and even though I strayed somewhat, I always had God watch out for me.Now,that I’m truly saved,I look back and can see how God’s hand has guided me and protected from so much in the past, going through many troubles as a teenager and young adult.I thank God for coming and saving me at just the right time.
Now living for Jesus I want to tell the world about our Savoir.I want to be a disciple and help make disciples for Jesus.I want to be able to pick up my cross daily and follow my Lord, wherever He leads me. God drew me to discover more about Him.To be able to go anywhere and spread the gospel.This is how my journey started; this is why I was led to wanting to study.I feel that God wants to use me in a wonderful way for His glory.
I want to be able to minister to young and old.I want to be able to explain things and answer questions that could turn unbelievers into believers.I want to live and love like Christ.I want to share scripture and encourage people.I want to show people how Alive The Word truly is, see how Christ speaks through His word to us.I want people to Experience God’s grace and love.
This Institute is giving me an opportunity to accomplish what I feel I’m being led to do.I’m a stay at home mom so I can’t really attend a college, etc.,so this is really God sent.What felt like the impossible is seeming to become a reality.Just this basic course has awakened such a passion inside for our Lord and I’ve learned so much.Sc riptures,principles,the basic things I’ve wanted to know for so many years,it has really been an amazing journey thus far.
I would appreciate it if you could pray for obedience,for guidance and that as I grow and want to learn more,that I stay focused on Christ and why He led me here.Then also just for courage to follow through if it’s God’s will.
Thank you for this opportunity .I hope that I can do many more courses through your institute.
God Bless
Kenya student Ketty Opot enrolled at CLI to deepen her knowledge and understanding of God and The Bible with free online training available in even the smallest parts of the world! Here is her story…
Know God Better – Ketty’s Story
Praise God!
My name is Ketty Atieno Opot, 35. I am the first born of 6 children. I am a wife and mother of three kids. I have attained a diploma certificate of management. Currently working for United Parcel Service. I live in Nairobi, Kenya.I was brought up in a Christian home with my parents and sisters. I went to Christian school and attended church every Sunday morning but I never gave my life to Christ. In 1999 I met George, my husband, whom shared his faith and the love of Christ for me, after few months I got saved. I never grew in a close relationship with God, I was a stagnant Christian, never bore fruit. My husband kept encouraging me. Soon God brought to my realization that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. I rededicated my life to God in the year 2000. I started going to my husband’s church was baptized and felt like a new person. and since then I plan to walk faithfully with God.
I have been engaging in bible study and through that the Holy Spirit has helped me understand quiet much on the foundation of a Christian. Late last year as I was on a 7 day fast and prayer, I had a dream which was very clear. Jesus told me to go and spread the Gospel. Since then I have been yearning to attend a bible school so that I may be trained and equipped.
My ministry goal is to go to the remote areas to expand God’s kingdom by training local men and women and send them to the unreached parts in Kenya. My dreams are :
1. Die to self and be alive in Christ Jesus and to Love God with all my Mind, heart, soul and strength and to love my neighbor as myself.
2. To fulfill the great commission.Bible education is of high importance to me. The Bible is the Word of God which is the Truth, hence, I need proper knowledge of God’s word to equip me for teaching and training his people in righteousness.
A scholarship from Christian Leaders Institute would help me know God better, grow closer to God and to be equipped for the mission and fulfill my calling.
CLI Student Ben Gonzaga enrolled at Chrisitan Leaders Institute for Effective Church Planting Training. He has been involved with Church Planting for a while now and wanted to enhance his skills and education for more effective work in Church Planting. Here is his story…
Effective Church Planting Training – Ben’s Story
I’m Ben D. Gonzaga, a CLI student since December 2013. I live in Western Visayas Region in the Philippines, and many Protestant churches are already surrounding our place. But because of economic development in our area, there are also lots of emerging subdivisions potential for church planting work.
I came to know the Lord when I was 17 years old in a small house church. It was planted by my former teacher in high school who also became my spiritual mentor. We don’t have a resident pastor, and we only invited a preacher every Sunday and whenever there are special occasions. As a new believer in that local church, I appreciated so much how everyone is functioning faithfully in consideration of membership size. Everyone is expected and has given the opportunity to serve.
I have combined the INDEPENDENT PIONEER and COLOIZING MODEL in my church planting work. I have already used this model in the past and I’m learning a lot about this model. Honestly, it was not easy for me. I endured a lot of criticism and I really lack financial support during the initial stage. The Lord however turned it out for the good of the church I’m planting. There was only a slow and yet genuine conversion. The new believers were also growing fast when it comes to the quality of their spiritual life. But one thing that I can boldly testify is the reality of God’s abiding presence and empowerment in my work. It was only after six months that I formally got a support from a local church. The works is now being maintained and develop by ministry team from my local supervisory church.
I like to use this model again because this is simple and did not require a lot of recommendation, approval and easy to be started. Some local church also needs a little assurance about the possible success of a church planting work that they will support. Once there is already existing Bible study group, it will easy to ask support from a willing local congregation.
Church planting is appealing for me as a calling because of my passion for the lost and my gift of teaching. By planting a new congregation, I can share more about Jesus and develop more Christian leaders.
I was doing my daily devotion way back on my early years after conversion when I realized the value and necessity of church planting work. The verse is John 4:34. My food said Jesus, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Reaching out the lost is a priority to Jesus. He compared it to food. Just as food is vital for the nourishment and health of the body, so it is with our spiritual life. I can’t live healthy without Church planting work.
Some of the unique challenges for church planting in my geographic area are the presence of many false teachers and economic situation, but I praise the Lord for giving me my family who is very supportive in the ministry.The free ministry training at CLI makes me ready and more effective in church planting work. I learned a lot of techniques and the necessary attitudes for church planting work.
Please pray I can continue my study at CLI NOW that I have some additional roles to do as a pastor.
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