Never Too Late for the Call to Ministry
My name is Mark Saumur, and I am taking classes at Christian Leaders Institute for free online pastor training (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). God has called me to be a pastor.
I grew up in a solid nuclear family within the Roman Catholic Church. My family attended St. Pancratius weekly. I attended their school for eight years and continued four more years at St John Bosco High School. The connection with God and my family was vital, but I was lost in the ritual aspects of the church.
The lingering doubts of my denomination contributed to my lukewarm walk with God. The rituals were a mystery to me. Why did I have to pray the rosary? Why did I have to stand, sit, and kneel throughout the service constantly? How come I couldn’t talk directly with Jesus instead of the various saints? I did not have an intimate relationship with Jesus because I did not think I was worthy. I went through life like it was me against the world, and I struggled.
After a failed marriage in which God and Religion were void, I finally found a Godly woman that I married. She was from an Assembly of God (AOG) Church and was very patient with me on my walk with Jesus. We both attended the Roman Catholic and AOG services for a while. I felt more comfortable in the AOG services but felt allegiance to my family to stay Roman Catholic. The clincher was when I attended a Catholic Bible study, and the only two people with a Bible were the leader and me. I converted to the AOG church quickly after that.
God Saves Me
BUT…How did I get saved? At the age of 38, I went to a Promise Keeper’s Conference at the Pepsi Center, Denver, CO. Joe White, who had cancer at the time, did a very powerful skit about Jesus’s crucifixion. Joe carried a full-scale cross for at least 100 yards and hammered it together while talking about his life. He lectured us about the two criminals crucified on Jesus’s right and left.
My church group was in a skybox, and I saw a person on the arena floor praising the Lord without any regard to the environment around him. I initially thought he was an idiot. But looking back at my fellow “Christians” being more concerned about a football game on the TV, I realized that I wanted what he had. So I went to the altar call, gave myself to Jesus, and never looked back!
After my conversion, I became a Royal Rangers Leader to guide youth to the Lord. I wanted them to receive the same joy in the Lord that I had. I stepped up to train new Royal Rangers Leaders so they could lead more boys to Christ. Since I enjoyed being a Boy Scout, I loved sharing the camping experience. I worked along with some very powerful mentors that guided me. They taught me how to be a Godly man and husband and effectively teach the gospel to the youth. My life became alive since I was grounded with God and my wife.
College and Career Dreams
I was a Jack of All Trades. Growing up, I learned construction, auto mechanics, gardening, and interior design. I was in the Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller and attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. After earning Bachelor of Science Degrees in Professional Aeronautics and Safety Engineering, I thought I wanted to be an Airport Manager, but it never materialized. Since then, I have been an animal control officer, retail stocker, beer vendor, realtor, fix and flipper, property manager, kitchen/bath designer, and finally, an airline operations agent. Looking back on these jobs, God was in all of them and forming my character. Every single one of these jobs has some attribute that a Pastor needs to be successful. God was grooming me for ministry!
Seeking Free Online Pastor Training at CLI
Right now, God has shown me that I need to step up and lead a local church and shepherd a flock. I need to prepare because I do not have the confidence and the competence to do so. This lack is because, as a Roman Catholic early in my life, emphasis was not on Bible memorization and application. I need a pastoral covering to teach and groom me for the ministry. I have consistently recognized that the Holy Spirit gifted me the abilities of Prophecy, Teaching, Healing, and Wisdom.
God has reminded me that “the harvest is great, but the workers are few.” I need to be prepared to harvest as many souls as possible for God in these end times. I praise God for leading me to Christian Leaders Institute while I was searching online. I enrolled because I embrace my calling. The free online pastor training is what I believe God has called me to do to be ready.
Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute
Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2.
After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when you are logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.
Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course, and then you are allowed to enroll in mini-courses or regular courses.
The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
