Leading Others to Christ, From the Youth to the Prison Gates
As Christian leaders, we are dedicated to our Lord in serving Him fully. We struggle, we fall. We strive, and we get back up again. Our own walk is essential in being examples to others, especially children. The little hands and feet of our children watch us the closest. They mimic what they hear and see. They become little “me’s.” Their little itching ears are ready to absorb whatever information you give them. So why not give them Jesus? Why not bring up our little ones to know that we do not mistreat human beings?
Not all children are consumed by the power of love. We grow up bitter, resentful, angry, and eventually just numb from it all. There was no childhood of growing into a relationship with Jesus, with God. And with the hurts in our lives from birth to current age, without knowing God, we become easily misguided by the world. The world tries to solve our brokenness, but nothing works. It may relieve temporary sadness, but the truth is, only God can take our pain fully and give us rest from sorrow. Jesus heals and more than just sicknesses. Our pain is not too much for God to handle.
With a national overcrowding of American citizens caught up in the jails and prison institutions, it is easy to see that many people are broken and misguided by the world. Let us have deep compassion for even those who are behind bars. Let us bring them the truth of a God who loves them. Let us give them hope as they find that God used a man named Moses who was a murderer. No matter what a person has done, God is willing to forgive them and call them son or daughter.
From the Prison Gates to the Church to CLI’s Free Bible College
My name is Debra Arnett and I am blessed to live in the United States Of America, where I am free to share the gospel and minister to others. I am a mother of 3 step children and a daughter of my own and have been married for 8 years.
I was not exactly raised in church but I was taught enough and attended enough that I knew the basics of God, Jesus, the Bible, Sin and Salvation. A seed was planted and I remember having a deep desire for the Lord and I know that I knew I had a calling at the age of 13. I never understood why, no matter how much I WANTED to do what I knew in my heart was right, I continued to live a life that was not of God.
I was in and out of Juvenile centers from 13 to 16 years old and then I became a drug addict at 16. At 17, I committed a crime that sent me to prison for 12 years. It was after years of rebelling, fighting, attempting suicide and running that I was so broken and alone in a prison cell that I finally began to call on God and truly repent and became saved. I spent 4 months doing nothing but praying,reading,and searching God’s word as well as my own life, heart and spirit. I became happier right there, IN PRISON than I had ever been! I got out in 2006 and met my husband and married. Had my daughter in 2007 and I fell off my path and abandoned my Christianity. It was not until 2013 that I repented once again and began to search for God’s plan for my life. It was through AA that I reached out to God again, I had become an alcoholic!
Today, I am where God has led me to be and am involved with a ministry group that is church planting and I am living the life I was created to have and live. My ministry dream has always been to minister to and help troubled youth and kids that are now on the path I once was or who lived the childhood I lived and need to be ministered to or to those who simply have no spiritual guidance.
CLI’s free bible college is so utterly important to me at this point in my life because God has led me away from my home state, my friends and my family to a place we knew no one, a place where I have been humbled through the loss of worldly possessions and money. So, at this time, the time I have been called to begin my journey in ministry, I have no resources to pay for the training needed to fulfill my calling. I know this is going to change soon and, to me, that is the most amazing thing about a free bible college like CLI, that you can get the training needed even while you cannot afford it and can later give to continue the blessings and pass them on to others.
My only prayer request is that I continue to grow and understand more and more the exact nature of my calling into youth ministry as well as the desire I feel to also do prison ministry. I am so thankful for this opportunity and I pray that each and every person who donates to support this program knows that they are not just giving money but are truly changing lives that otherwise may never have been changed!
Christian Leaders Institute’s Free Bible College
If you are seeking to begin ministry training like Debra Arnett, join us at CLI’s free bible college to begin your online classes! All of our courses are online with full study materials and quizzes. All provided to our students for free!! Click here to enroll today! Become a Christian leader! Check out our Facebook page to like and share our stories with your friends and family.
Free Internet Ministry Classes Right Up There With Other Seminary Colleges
Ministry training offered at seminaries and Bible colleges is usually costly. Christian Leaders Institute offers ministry training using the internet. Christian Leaders Institute provides high quality free internet ministry classes which includes courses like Old Testament and New Testament Survey. CLI brings over 22 (and currently now more) advanced free internet ministry classes to those called into ministry around the world.
Free Internet Ministry Classes In South Africa And Around The World
My name is Thinus Pretorius and I live in Pretoria, South Africa. I was raised in a Christian home and attended church frequently. I gave my life to Christ at the age of 16. I was called for full time ministry, but became sidetracked when I went for compulsory military training. I went to church frequently and I worked myself up to high “ranks” in the church. It was important for me to get “somewhere.” Sadly, I was not in a genuine relationship with the Lord, nor did I make any place for the Holy Spirit in my life.
Some twelve years ago, I had an encounter with the Lord that changed my whole life. I started going to another church denomination. Through teaching and spending time with the Lord, I started a relationship with Him that not only changed me, but also my family. I had a good work but the Holy Spirit rekindled the fire in me for full time ministry. I went to the Lord and committed my life to Him. I was retrenched 4 days after that, and I started a life dependent on the Lord for everything I need in my life.
A few years ago I was ordained in Ministry. I do not have a congregation, but the Lord opens doors for me to minister to throughout the country of South Africa and also a few times in other countries in the world. God gave me a passion for people and allows me to preach His word to them and to be part of His healing to so many people walking around helplessly! It is always amazing to me to see people changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
A friend of mine directed me to the website of Christian Leaders Institute. I just knew I had to do further studies and equip myself further.
I believe the courses introduced by CLI will help me gain a deeper knowledge of the Word of God and His plan for restoration and healing of people. I believe that spiritual leaders are prepared to be part of God’s plan for the restoration and healing of our country and its people.
I am married to a wonderful wife who shares my passion for God’s work. Our desire is to see all who cross our path be drawn into a closer relationship with God. Our vision is to reach people, leading them to a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to see individuals heal emotionally as they grow in faith toward God and in the knowledge of His Word, to equip Christians for works of service, encouraging spiritual growth and helping them to recognize and develop their God-given gifts through the teaching of the Bible, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and worship.
Begin Your Free Internet Ministry Classes Today!!
Click here to gain access to receive your free internet ministry classes in ministry training with CLI! With our high quality classes, you will find yourself well equipped to discover where God is placing you in ministry! Also, check us out on Facebook for more inspirational stories.
CLI Serves As A Leader In Calling All Peoples Called By God To Serve
Students and graduates of CLI find themselves better equipped for the ministry field after taking our free online ministry courses. With CLI, we welcome every one aspired by God to continue down the path towards their ministry dreams. We are Christian leaders building up our future revival leaders called by God. CLI is here to serve you in your biblical education. You are here to fulfill your calling and serve God in whatever He puts in your path.
Read the testimony and story of CLI student John Long Jr.
CLI Ministry Training- Further The Knowledge Of God
My name is John Long Jr. I live in Menifee, California. I was born and raised in San Diego, CA where I met my (SUPER HOTT!!) wife back in 10th grade. We have two beautiful daughters who are both semi-professional dancers at their current ages of 10 and 6. My wife and I will be going on 12 years of marriage as of this December 21, 2014.
I was brought up in a Christian home. My father’s father ( my granddad) was and still is a senior deacon at the Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, CA. I was that little guy who spent all his time in church, especially in my teenage years. Whenever there was an event going on at church my brothers and I knew without a doubt we were going to be in attendance. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 13. I knew of God, The Son, and the Holy Spirit but I had never confessed it before the congregation. It seemed at that very moment when I was baptized my life was changed in the blink of an eye. I mean that very next day, which happened to be a Monday, I noticed a change in my thoughts. What used to matter just didn’t matter anymore. I thought something was wrong with me. At that particular time in my life, I didn’t recognize The Lord was transforming me into the person I am today.
I was called to ministry back in 2007 when my family and I were attending my father-in-law church. There I was the associate minister and youth director. I held that position for 3 years then moved to another church within San Diego, and there I was overseer for the audio/ video ministry, web designer and social media manger and The Young Adult President. I held those positions for about 2 years (not all at the same time) and then the family and I moved to our current residence here in Menifee, CA. We commuted from Menifee to San Diego for about a year before we decided to look for a new church home in our current city.
We visited a few churches in our local community, but before we committed to a new church we wanted to hear from The Lord. I applied to a local church in the city of Perris, CA as their Youth/Young Adult and Children Ministry Director and soon after the interview, I was given the position. But get this, less than 90 days into my new role, the church leadership fell apart and to make a long story short I pray fully resign from the position as Director. Having this feeling of wanting to serve The Lord in ministry and not being able to due to other people’s mistakes, I prayed to The Lord asking for His guidance and direction for our next move in ministry. Long behold, The Lord had a plan the entire time. As far as the church which I resigned from in Perris, CA, a few of its members showed up at my home on a Sunday asking, “what time does church start?” It was kind of funny because just a few nights before, I asked The Lord what was His purpose for sending my family to this new church if He knew I was going to resign in less than 90 days? But the knock on the door and the question which was asked, answer the question I had asked The Father! God knew His people were going to be in need of a new leader and Christ chose me to be that guy. I am now a pastor of a small home church in the city of Menifee, CA. We are about 10-15 members deep and we have been going strong for about 4 months now. I never knew how much work goes into being a pastor, let alone a senior pastor. But boy-o-boy it’s worth it!
I was looking to deepen my knowledge of Christ and further my level of understanding in His Holy Word. My wife actually found CLI and when she told me it was free I didn’t believe her. It actually took me 3-5 months to even look at CLI’s website to see if the school WAS free, let alone real! But here I am at CLI and loving every bit of it. I truly can use the CLI scholarship because it will help me to further my knowledge of God without having to stress about being able to afford a world class education of Christ Jesus and with more education that the Lord pours into me, I in turn can pour that same knowledge out on His people. Education is one thing no one can take away from you. So I strive to know all about Christ. Someone once said, “the better equipped you are , you are preparing to win the war”.
Please keep our ministry in your prayers by praying for “Kadesh Ministry” and please pray that The Lord will continue to use us right here in the city of Menifee and it surrounding cities.
Be blessed,
Pastor J.
Sign Up With CLI Today!
If you would like to join the many others with CLI’s free internet ministry training classes, click here to be redirected to our application page for enrollment. Fill out a quick and simple application form and be on your way! Also, check us out on Facebook!