Steven Scott enrolled at Christian Leaders Institute seeking the education to Become A Better Chrisitan Leader, and further dedicate his life to his Walk with God. Here is his story…
Become A Better Christian Leader – Steven’s Story
My name is Steven Scott. I am 43 years old, married and have five children. We live in Dixon, Illinois, a town of about 16,000. This is my second marriage and has been 12 wonderful years and counting. My first marriage ended abruptly, after only two years. It was in the year 2000 and the darkest time of my life. I was in a deep depression and drinking heavily. I honestly thought they made me feel better, but instead, it distanced me from all of my friends. I was working in an auto repair shop at the time, and a coworker invited me to church. I was ready to decline until he told me his pastor’s name. It was the same pastor I had as a kid when I used to go with my aunt and uncle to church! Well, I couldn’t pass up a chance to see him again after all these years. It was like connecting with an old friend, and he knew that there was something bothering me. How awesome the holy spirit is! I started attending regularly and got asked to take a half hour slot in a 24-hour prayer vigil. I agreed. When I relieved the person ahead of me, they showed me a list of things to pray for. 5 minutes later, I was wondering what now? I sat down and started talking to God about my problems. Within minutes, I felt his presence and peace for the first time in my life. I knew then that I wanted to be a follower of Christ. I talked to the pastor and was baptised after I dedicated my life to the Lord in the front of the church.
Me, my wife, and kids were living in a small town where we could not find a church that worked for us. So there was a time that we didn’t go, and my relationship with Christ dwindled. We decided to move to Dixon to be closer to where I worked at the time. One day, we got a door hanger, inviting us to a new church that would be meeting at a hotel until a building was found. We decided to give it a try and found it to be the perfect fit for the whole family.
My dad passed away in October of 2005. My mom said I should have one of his guitars. I didn’t want just to hang it on a wall, so I decided to get online and learn some chords, and eventually I was strumming simple songs. My pastor invited me to sit in on worship team practices, to see if it helped me learn. Within an few months, I became a member of the team! At the beginning of this year, I was made the worship team leader of our church. It amazes me to look at how far God has brought me, and all the work he continues to do. My hope is that CLI training will help me to become a better leader, and help me grow in my walk with our Lord.
Brad Birkholz enrolled at CLI to receive seminary-grade ministry training for free on his own time and without financial obligation. Enhance Christian Education online free at Christian Leaders Institute!
Enhance Christian Education – Brad’s Story
I was born in Illinois, USA to my parents who a couple years later would divorce. I grew up not knowing anything about the bible and would not have any encounters with God until two years after high school. I was in college when I met my wife. Everyone in her family, including her, were strong followers of Jesus Christ so I began to attend church. Little did I know God had an incredible plan for my wife and I. We have been youth leaders in our church for the past year and have just been offered our own program in the church ministering to young adults in the community who are dealing with addictions. CLI has made our ministry dreams possible by preparing us for this huge opportunity that God has given us to serve and we are so thankful to have this wonderful opportunity to learn more about furthering our leadership knowledge.
1. I currently live in the state of Wisconsin in the United States of America. 71% of Wisconsin residents claim to be Christian which is a 15% drop since 1990 and it seems like that number is going to continue to fall. That drop is my main concern since that means that people are 1. falling away from Christ or 2. God’s word is not being passed down to the younger generations and that is what I believe I am called to work on.
2. I came to know the Lord through my wife. We met each other for the first time when we ended up in the same college class. We moved in together into some apartments across from a church. One Sunday my wife decided she was going to go check it out so I went with her since I had never actually been to a church service. When I walked in I felt as if that was where I should be. It was there I would come to find Jesus.
3. My ministry dream is to move to a foreign country and help build churches while I spread the word of God. I believe that God has given me certain abilities like construction experience and the ability to minister to others.
4. I would say that I identify myself with the word Pastor the most because that’s what I feel my calling is for. I enjoy ministering to people and have a love for teaching the word of God.
5. I believe that my love for teaching the word of God comes from my experience with depression and how I want everyone to know the love that God has for them and that there is more to this life.
6. People in Wisconsin are known for their hunting, fishing, and alcohol which tend to take priority over going to church and hearing God’s word.
7. My local church has supported my ministry calling by putting me in charge of a new program that is being put into all our campuses.
8. My wife and family have been more that supportive of my decision to engage in ministry. They have been my biggest encouragers and will continue to push me forward in my walk with God.
9. A scholarship at CLI is very important to me since I do not have time or money to receive an on campus education. I currently work 40-50 hours a week and have a 5 month old daughter to take care of who takes up the majority of my time.
10. I would like to thank CLI once again for this amazing opportunity and ask for prayers that God be the rock and foundation of the ministry my wife and I have been given to lead.
CLI student Ricky Merriman enrolled for a Free Christian Education in order to fulfill his heart’s calling to Chaplin or Pastor to his community in Michigan! Here is his story…
Free Christian Education – Ricky’s Story
Hello, my name is Ricky Merriman, I live in the State of Michigan, USA.
I am married and have four children.We live in a small modest house, that was built over a hundred years ago in an old mining community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The winters are long and the summers are short, but we are blessed to live I a beautiful scenic area with plenty of Lake Superior shore lines, some call it God’s country! The community in which I live is economically depressed and utilizes volunteers for various community services such as Fire departments, First Responders, Hospice, Transportation for the elderly, etc. I feel a calling on my heart to volunteer in my community as an Chaplin or Pastor to help those in need of God’s love and care.
I have been searching the internet, looking for online Christian education at little or not cost and was very blessed to come across the Christian Leaders Institute’s website! I was very impressed, and excited to get started in the free classes. I learned so much about what it takes to live a Godly life, that can be reproduced and shared with others. I just finished the Christian Leaders Basic’s Course and I am eager to get stated in more classes!
God bless Christian Leaders Institute it was just what I was looking for and more!