I was born and raised in Livingston Izabal, Guatemala. At the age of 19 I was converted to Christianity. Before then I had believed in Jesus through the teachings of the catholic church, but I had never experienced a personal relationship with Him nor understood the true meaning of His life and dead on the cross. Now I realize that Jesus’ death paid for my sins.
I’ve been struggling with a lot of things lately, especially with my families rejection to the real gospel. But all that has strengthened me to keep my faith and believe that one day I will see my entire family, and community, worshiping the one and only true God through Jesus Christ. I’m married to a beautiful woman and have a beautiful daughter 6 months old.
Worship Pastor in Thornton, Colorado
Advances His Walk By Learning At Christian Leaders Institute.
My name is Ryan Hopkins, a 34 year old husband, father of 4 (and 2 dogs), and lover of Christ. I’m a worship pastor at a church in Thornton, CO. God as put a special calling on my life to start a church focused on bringing people into a deeper worship relationship with Him.
“Growing up, I never experienced the love of Jesus in the home. My mom and dad were mostly separated until their divorce when I was 7 years old. All I knew from early childhood was pain and separation. It wasn’t until I was 20 that I realized how far I had fallen into despair and hopelessness. I was angry. I was addicted to drugs. I was alone. I praise God for my mom and sister, who at the time had come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior and were praying for me constantly. Without them, I’m sure I would have died as a result of my sinful lifestyle.
Accepting Jesus and turning my life around was clearly the best decision I’ve ever made. Since that time, He has used me in amazing ways. I’ve been so blessed to see many come to know Him, to see many worship in Spirit and Truth, to see real life change. Christ receives all the glory and honor and recognition. I’m just humbled and blessed to be His vessel.”
God revealed to me in prayer that this movement He will start, will start with this attitude: You pour out Your Spirit, and I’ll provide the vessels. That’s what I want to be, His vessel to the vessels. But my fear is being an empty vessel. To be filled with His Spirit, to know His presence and power are with me is what motivates me to pursue His calling. I know I’m not alone. I know that God will never call us to something we can achieve on our own, but only to what we need to rely on Him to accomplish.
With the education I hope to obtain from Christian Leaders Institute, I will be further equipped to be God’s vessel.
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Worship Pastor Opportunity
Here at Christian Leaders Institute our courses provide sound development which anyone can benefit from. Whether you are a worship pastor or your pastor, CLI has something for you. We know how important pursuing your calling is and it is mentioned in many places throughout the Bible.
You are called to serve God and growing up you possibly thought being “called” by God was something only for missionaries, pastors, or “full-time” church workers, but the Bible says every Christian is called to service in so many scriptures. Here are some more: (Eph. 4:14; Rom. 1:6-7; 8:28-30; 1 Cor. 1:2,9,26; 7:17; Phil 3:14; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3).
Join Christian Leaders Institute and pursue your calling today! Click Here To Learn More!
Weekly Bible Study Training
Christian Leaders Institute is training leaders to do well at leading a weekly Bible study. This is often the seeds of church planting. A worship service is a more involved weekly Bible Study sort of. God is raising up leaders everywhere at Christian Leaders Institute. If each of these student started a weekly Bible study can you imagine the practical training that would occur.
Benjamin Horn started a weekly Bible study. He said,
By educating myself I can more effectively lead my small group and teach the essentials of our Faith.
Here is his story.
My name is Benjamin Horn and I live in Farmington, Minnesota, USA. I live with my wife, Megan, and our two sons Jase and Caden. I currently work as a mechanic at a local garage and my wife is a stay at home mom.
I was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church my family attended. My parents were very active in the church and from an early age my brother and I were taught about the Lord.
During high school I wandered away from my faith. In college I just lived for myself and partied regularly. I began to feel convicted about the way I was living and started attending church again. I played the drums for the worship band there and attended a weekly Bible study. One day I received a call from a friend who was starting a ministry with a Christian metal band and he wanted to know if I was interested in joining. I agreed to try it and after the first practice I knew that God was calling me to this ministry. Under my friend’s mentorship I rededicated my life to Christ and started to really study God’s word. After playing together for a couple of years and meeting some really amazing people we were led to dissolve the band.
Since that time I met my wife and we have been blessed with two wonderful children. We are both very dedicated to teaching His word to our sons and raising them up as Godly men for service in His kingdom.
I first started to feel the call to ministry after my wife began searching for a small group in our area, but could not find one. As I prayed I felt led to start our own study group. My wife and I now host a Bible study in our home and I am persuing a position as a small group leader at the Church we attend. (2 Chronicles 31:21 – And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.)
My dream for my ministry is to serve God’s kingdom in all I do. I want my family to be a light in the darkness for other people. I want them to see our faith in action and have it move them to go deeper in their faith. That is my dream for the Bible study we host as well.
The term I identify most with at this time is small group leader, because my ministry experience so far has been in this capacity. I have really enjoyed leading the group and encouraging other believers in their walk with Christ and I continue to pray for direction for them and for God’s will in the future.
I chose to study at Christian Leaders Institute because I believe they can equip me to accomplish my goals. By educating myself I can more effectively lead my small group and teach the essentials of Faith to others. I continue to need prayers to be an effective leader of my family and my group. I ask that the Lord give me guidance on how to better my ministry and for the direction He wants it to go in. I am sensitive to His voice and His will and I know that I cannot do this alone. I appreciate your prayers and support.
Start the getting started call as Christian Leaders Institute and get prepared to start a weekly Bible study in your home!