My name is Rameeka Saunders, I live in North Carolina, USA. Three years ago I relocated here because I knew that God had something greater for me in North Carolina.
I was born into a Bible believing family and since infancy, was raised in a Baptist church. As a child I always loved to hear about God because I had dreams where Jesus would visit me in the night. As a teenager I gave myself to the Lord and was baptized in Jesus name. As a young adult I left that church because I felt that there was another church for me to call home. I began to search visiting many churches but in my heart, I was not able to call any of them my church home. God was speaking to my spirit as I prayed, He said that He would lead me to where I was supposed to be. It was then, that I was guided to North Carolina. Shortly after I found my church home, the one I dreamt about as a child. Since becoming a member I have rededicated myself to the Lord and have found my love for Him has grown tremendously.
Back in 2010, before I moved to North Carolina, I had what doctors called a simple procedure, but in the recovery room I stopped breathing. They worked on me for two hours trying to get me to breathe. To me it was as if I was dreaming, a feeling that you would have to experience to fully understand. I had never been to or seen this part of the hospital before yet I saw it clear as day. My spirit sat up as my body laid asleep and standing in front of me was what I believe was my guardian angel. All white and faceless yet I knew it was looking at me. I began to hear my name being called as my guardian angel walked away, and as I woke up one of my nurses said to me that she had prayed and prayed that I would return. I was in disbelief at first and wondered if my experience had been real, but as I looked around and saw everything in the exact place I saw it before, I knew it had been real. I haven’t been the same since.
There have been occasions where people (strangers) have come up to me and just told me their problems or asked for my help. I started asking people why they chose to say something to me and their answers began to sound the same, God led them to. I am a true believer that things happens for a reason, so I began to search and pray that God would reveal what he had in store for me, and I was lead to the CLI website.
I would like to start my journey as a small group leader and grow from there. Hopefully, this will give me the confidence I need to speak in front of a larger audience. My goal is to connect with people who don’t know about the goodness of Jesus and to spread the word of His goodness and mercy to them. My father has been a Deacon in his church for as long as I can remember and my siblings and I were taught about the word of God. There are several pastors and ministers in my family, I feel blessed to be apart of such a Christ-centered and supportive family.
A CLI scholarship is important to my ministry dreams because I feel that I am called, but I don’t have the funds to pay for schooling. I really appreciate the opportunity that CLI gives to its students. CLI is a blessing to me and other students like myself, who want to advance their walk with God but don’t have the funds to do so. I ask for prayer that God would continue to guide me and others to do work that is pleasing in His sight.
I was called into ministry at the young age of 17. A few years later I became a youth pastor and was leader for a youth drama. I was so sure that I was unworthy of the calling God had placed on my life.
At 27 years of age I turned my back on God. I felt as if the situation I was in, made me unworthy to be a child of God. I was facing a situation of abuse and I could not find answers because I was fishing in the wrong pond.
Five years ago I came back to God. I told God I was ready 100% . I didn’t know at that time that God was opening me up for the Calling once again. I began to crucify flesh and cry out for more of God in me. As I began to dig in His Word it was confirmed. It was time to walk in the calling God had placed on my life. Speaking at ladies ministries starts my calling. I give my testimony of where God brought me from with other women.
As time went on God placed me in under a mentor. I now attend a Pentecostal church at Westminster, SC. I have three mentors in the church. At least once a month I am blessed with the privilege to bring the Word to our church.
My prayer is for more of God and less of me. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband who stands behind my calling one hundred percent. I have 3 children ages 3-15. They are workers in our church. My daughter ,who is 12, helps me with drama and interpretive dance. Gods word says to raise your children in the way they should go. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to get more into Gods word.
CLI Student, Anita
I am a 50-year old man seeking Christian training. I am looking for a way to help people find Jesus and the Love of God. I have two children one boy 24 and one girl 17. I am very proud of them both. My Son will be a first-time father in July 2015 and works in Security. My Daughter is graduating from High School in May. She will also receive her Associate degree in May 2015. I have worked in production/manufacturing most of my life. My most recent job was as a caregiver for a battens child and I believe I have a passion for this type of work. I enjoy helping people and seeing them happy. I love to make people laugh and smile.
I would like to get involved in Counseling of some sort. I believe God will lead my steps and put me where He wants me. I have a heart to see the lost come to Christ, so when they pass through this life they will not go to Hell. I have a desire to show people the love of God. I want to learn more and get closer to God. So I can minister to the people around me.
I believe CLI can help me with my goals. Money is tight right now and I know I need the knowledge right now. I have wanted an education for many years, but never had the support to get it done. I have been looking at online schools for the last couple of months. Last night I remembered how God layed it on my heart to become a Christian Counselor. I started looking around and that is when I found CLI. The scholarship CLI offers will help me to get started learning what I need to help accomplish my goals. I believe God has great things and great blessings coming in my life. I want to be ready for them.