My name is La’Nay and I live in the Orlando, FL (United States). I have lived here for 8 yrs now. I am a wife of 17 yrs and a mother of 2 beautiful teenagers. My parents are both planters and officer’s in their church. As I live day to day I also work as a Accountant and attended additional studies at SNHU for Healthcare Management.
As far as my ministry, my main purpose is to serve the community whether it is near or far. The ministry that I have been led to is of one in bringing forth followers of Christ.
I was born into a faith-base religion and attended church and was saved at 13 yrs old. I enjoy fellowship with others. The word that I can honestly say that I can identify with is “Leader”, reason being I have known from a young age that I had a love for helping others and leading them. I have followed many to learn the importance to leadership in an effective way. As many may say, I had a “light bulb” appear in my choice to pursue ministry, but I was chased after for a long time; never fully understanding what the Lord wanted me to do. I eventually gave in because I couldn’t run anymore. My journey from a rebellious teen to a wife and more has blossomed into a glorious journey; knowing that the Lord chose me. Some of the unique challenges that I face in my area is distance, but it’s not a huge factor that can’t be overcome.
My local church has significantly supported me in my journey in ministry as well as my family. It is a joy to pass a quiz and have my immediate family say “Well Done”!
I told my little brother I am finally pursuing my ministry teachings and he says, “It’s about time.”
Just to know that everyone has seen it and it took a little battle for me to realize what God has called and what he has already predestined upon my life since birth. In attending CLI, receiving a scholarship is so rewarding, to know that there are individual’s who care such as the staff at CLI, is an inspiration and leads me to honor each and every moment; knowing that God has secured a faithful few to extend knowledge and leadership to many.
1. Please share with us the country you are currently living in and what it is like to do ministry in this country.
Hi, I’m Janey, I live in England, in the UK. Doing ministry here is changing a lot. People are less and less likely to identify themselves as ‘Christian’. In the city where I live especially Atheism (or ‘no religion’) and Islam are growing most as Christianity declines.
2. Please share with us how you came to know the Lord.
I grew up believing in God as a child, but it wasn’t until I was in my teens that I heard about the Holy Spirit, and it freaked me out – I thought it was all a bit weird! Later in my early late teens and early adulthood, I went through a lot of trauma and eventually had a breakdown. When I was praying one day, I felt for the first time a really powerful presence of God, like the Father was holding me close and I really felt his love and compassion. Shortly after this I got baptised and made a commitment to follow Jesus. I got married quite young to a guy who confessed to be Christian, but he fell away from his faith and very sadly our marriage ended by his adultery. This was a hugely testing time for me and I went through a very rebellious stage against God – I was just so devastated and ashamed about my failed marriage. So for years I walked in my angry wilderness! After a few years of this, a combination of pretty serious life events brought things back into focus very sharply and a released how far I had drifted from God. As I cried out to God, he did a mighty rescue mission in my life – he gave me the strength to literally leave all of my old life behind and take a massive step of faith to move to a brand new city and give me a clean slate to walk with him – like the prodigal son, he ran to me and loved me back.
3. Please share with us your ministry dream.
Because I have been ‘the prodigal’ I especially have a heart for people who had previously had a walk with God, but ‘life’ has made them cynical and they have drifted away.
4. Which word do you identify with most and why? Pastor, Evangelist, Small Group Leader, Youth Leader, Church Planter
Probably church planter
5. What key experience in your life prompted you to pursue ministry?
Realising that after what I went through a few years ago (literally facing a painful physical death) and being so dramatically and powerfully rescued by God, that now, it’s all or nothing. I believe God can (and is) going to use all of those experiences for his glory. He can sew a silk purse from a pig’s ear 🙂
6. What are some unique challenges in your geographic area?
Its very secular, and quite middle class. So basically people think they have got everything sussed. It’s also a really hedonistic, and ‘instant gratification’ culture.
7. How has your local church supported you in your ministry calling?
Providing small group accountability and prayer. Helping me identify the steps toward developing a ministry.
8. Is there anything you want to share about your family’s role in your ministry calling?
None of my family are Christians, and this grieves my soul. One day I hope to be able to share the joy of knowing Jesus with them. Until then it’s pray, pray, PRAY! 🙂
9. Why is a scholarship at CLI so important to your ministry dream?
I want to make sure that I am properly prepared, and have a sound doctrinal basis for teaching others. CLI has been a God-send in that I can study at my own pace at home around all the other things I juggle!
10. How can we pray for you in your ministry?
It is early days, so I would love prayer to help me identify the specific ministries God would call me into. I think this could be in the music scene (rock and metal) as that’s my background. Pray too that I can continue to develop good devotional habits.
I’m currently living in sunny Vallejo, Ca.
I came to know the Lord at a very young age. I was about 8 yrs old when I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I have been through many trials in which God has held my hand. Sometimes when I didn’t even realize He was watching out for me. Situations that I could have very well lost my life in.
As a mother of 4 and a once drug abuser, I was faced with the trials of having my children removed from my care. Through it all God kept me and restored my children back to me and I could not have became sober and did any of that without Him by my side or having a foundation in Him. He was my rock.
My ministry goal is to mentor other mothers or women who suffer from drug addictions and family issues surrounding their children. I feel the need to prepare myself properly to persue that calling in which God will use me to share my experience with other woman and expose them to the love of Christ.
My local church is awesome and very supportive thus far. I will be entering a evangelist class with them as well as taking classes at CLI, because I feel the more I learn, the better I can serve God’s people. Please pray for my walk with Christ and that He uses me to win souls for the Kingdom of God.