It is a wondrous time in a person’s life when they can escape a terrible past and be born again. This Milwaukee, Wisconsin woman serves the Lord after doing just that. Now motivated by Christ, Valerie is enjoying free online Bible studies at Christian Leaders Institute. She hopes to become ordained one day. Our Ordainment certification courses make this possible for her and you. We hope you will find encouragement in this story and sign up today.
–1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (NIV) “17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches… 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.”Hello everyone my name is Sister Valerie Rivera-Turnage. I am a proud born again Christian living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America. I have lived here all of my life and feel the need to stay put as I know that I am a witness for so many others right here in Milwaukee.
–Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –John 3:3 (ESV) “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”I have been saved, sanctified and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit for 3 years now and my walk has been awesome. Many local church leaders say I have flourished spiritually. I can only say it is because of my true desire and commitment to living a life that is pleasing to Our Father that this born again woman serves the Lord.
–1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) “[ Born Again to a Living Hope ] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”After many years of being a heavy servant for satan, I have been born again and now invest time and energy into building God’s Kingdom. I have been set free from many afflictions and delivered from many demonic spirits. I enjoy when the people of the world see how God’s Glory has manifested in my life and ask me how. I can smile and say, “TO GOD BE THE GLORY.”
My Husband led me to Christ. One day not long ago he told me he was sure I was going to be his wife. He prayed for me to accept Christ from that moment on. I was serving the devil and couldn’t embrace the salvation he told me about. One day I woke up in despair and in my soul I was crying out for Jesus to just show me HIS power. I went to church that day and my life has never been the same.
–Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.I know my calling is to evangelize and teach.
I wanted to take this course to enhance what I have been given through the Holy Spirit and I would love to continue to learn as much as I can. I am involved in a lot of service and spreading the gospel. I would like to be ordained soon.
I ask that you all continue to pray for the City of Milwaukee because we are up against strong witchcraft spirits and those of us doing Kingdom work are staying pressed in the faith that we will prevail in leading the lost souls to life.
We encourage you to become born again if you have not done so. Click Here to start at our main page and learn more about getting free ministry training and ordained at Christian Leaders Institute.
I was born in 1986, in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, to a loving family. I have an older brother who is married with three great children. I completed my Masters degree in 2011 from the University of Rhode Island in Political Science.
Since I was a boy, I have had a desire to get closer to God and live by the standards my family had instilled in me: family, respect, and dedication. Throughout the years, God has played a major role in my life: through natural disasters, a car accident, our house burning down right before Christmas when I was 7, surgery, and other life altering events. I have recognized His hand in my life and know there have been many times when He has shown me the right path, but I have gone the other way. Yet because of His faithfulness, He has brought me to where I am today, a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
My ministry goal is to bring God’s principles and values to my community. I have had to decide what kind of man I am going to be and what it means to follow Christ, and I want to help others walk with Him too. I know they will stumble and fall like I have but hopefully, together, we can become more Christ- like and bring Jesus to our community. As God changes us from within, I know that His grace will affect others around us.
Currently I am a minister with American Fellowship Church. I long to grow in my knowledge of the Scriptures and see how things work and fit together. I have read my Bible from cover to cover and seek further understanding. Getting a scholarship from CLI would help tremendously. I know the classes will be a great building block for future studies, plus they have already been a tremendous tool in helping me understand my mission and goals.
At this time in my life I do not have the means to pursue a formal Biblical degree nor would my job allow it, so I am grateful that CLI offers donation based, online, bible training. This makes it possible for me to have a good quality education while still being able to work and focus on my own personal walk with God.
Called to service this Pennsylvania man escaped a life of panic, anxiety and addiction. Delivered by Jesus, Christian Leaders Institute student Jamie Marks tells us his inspiring testimony.
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I am Jamie Marks, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to service and set apart for the gospel of God. I live in Meadville, PA of the United States of America.
–1 Corinthians 1:26-27 ESV / “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;”
I began talking to God when I was 5 or 6 years old and I was saved when I was 12. A van ministry picked up kids in our area for a vacation Bible school. This vacation Bible school is where I learned about Jesus for the first time.
When I was 18 I first felt called to service for the Lord. I took it serious enough that I enrolled in a Bible school. I stayed one year before I left thinking I would be better off in a different school. Little did I know that I would not take my calling serious again for many many years. All of my time was spent running from the Lord.
I ran but I could not hide. Over and over throughout my life the Lord would remind me of what he wants me to do. Over and over I would ask,” why me? There are plenty who you can ask.” Sometimes I would simply say I couldn’t be called to service in the Lord. I always had an excuse.
As a result of not walking with God and not even trying to obey Him I suffered greatly. Addiction, panic attacks, anxiety and depression were my life. The Lord was always with me and in short periods of clarity He would often remind me I was called to service by Him. At one such time I decided I would just tell the Lord I will do what He wants. As soon as I did this my life changed. No panic attacks, anxiety was gone and I was healed from my addiction.
Saying I will do as Jesus asks was one thing. I had to show the Lord I was serious. I asked my pastor about school and he sent me some suggestions via e-mail. As I was searching Christian schools on line I came across Christian leaders Institute. I book marked the site to read later.
I was skeptical about on-line Bible training so I prayed about going to a brick and mortar school. A school that was accredited and I could earn that fancy degree I thought I needed. The more I looked for a school and weighed the expense; I came to realize I cannot afford to attend a Bible college or just up and move to a campus someplace. I felt so discouraged and began to pray about being called to service in God. One day I opened my favorites and Christian Leaders Institute popped right out at me.
This is when I started Christian Basics Certificate courses. I figured that at least the Lord would see I was serious and heard Him when I was called to service. Perhaps Christian Leaders Institute is just the beginning? I can always attend another seminary when I am more able. Financially, if it were not for CLI, I simply would not be able to obey being called to service with the Lord this soon. This is why a scholarship is so vital to me right now.
My ministry dream is to do the best I can in leading others to the Lord. Being an evangelist seems to fit right now but pastor I am sure will happen someday. Whatever the lord wants from me; I just need to be prepared. With my pastor’s help and CLI, I will be on the right path. I am sure the Lord will see I am trying to be as obedient as I can, called to service, with what resources I have. One thing is for sure; I am tired of running and know I cannot hide from being called to the service Jesus has provided me.
If you want to pray for me; pray that I learn to be prepared for whatever the Lord will have me do. God bless all of you!
IN HIS GRIP: Jamie Marks
Called to service by Jesus, Jamie even tried to distance himself from God to avoid his calling. When Jesus tells you there is a special path for you, it is ultimately where you will be placed.
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