My name is Freda Bezuidenhout, and I am receiving proper Biblical knowledge and training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about free online Bible courses, Click Here). I am 56 years old and married for nine years to my God-given husband. I have one son from my previous marriage. My husband has two children and five grandchildren, which made me an instant grandmother, and I love it! We live in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. We can openly have church and serve the Lord here.
My Youth
I grew up in a Christian family. We went to church and Sunday school every Sunday morning. Born in Bloemfontein in South Africa, I have an older brother and a younger sister. We had an average life with its ups and downs. I read my Bible every evening before bed and said my prayers.
I got married at the age of 25 to a policeman. Four years later, my son was born. From there, things went downhill. My husband had no relationship with our son as he was hardly ever at home. The bomb hit when I found out that he had several affairs. Things got worse. Eventually, I had a nervous breakdown, and we divorced when my son was two. It broke my heart, but it had to be done. I brought up my son on my own without maintenance or any support from his father. It was very hard! I then moved to Cape Town with my parents for a new start. Things were even more challenging for me when I lost my job and started making clothes for an income.
My Experience of God Changed My Life
One night, I was crying a lot and very depressed. I could hardly take care of my son. My parents were retired and tried to help where they could. As I was crying and pleading to God, I suddenly heard God’s voice for the first time. It brought such calmness over me. I knew everything was going to be okay. It was such a wonderful experience for me! That night, I fully committed my life to God. I had a new hope and knew then that I mattered to God. He hears my prayers and loves me. Praise God!
I found employment four days later as a receptionist for a company with eight branches throughout the Western Cape. A year later, they promoted me to Sales Representative. About two years later, they upgraded me to Sales and Marketing Manager. I have put everything into my work for six years.
Challenges
One morning, I got up and lost consciousness. I became very ill. I passed out 7 to 8 times a day. After a year of tests, they confirmed that I have a rare neurological disease for which there is no cure, and I will have to live with it. I lost my job and everything. But I never lost God. I was ill for four years. Although I was very sick and could do nothing by myself, I never lost hope, and I grew closer to Jesus Christ.
During this time, a friend of mine came to visit me with her male friend. Even though I was ill, he fell in love with me. We started a relationship. He helped me in many ways to get my self-respect back. Then, I asked him if he could take me to church one Sunday. It was the AFM church which I had never been to before. There was an altar call for illness, and he helped me go forward for prayer. They started praying for me and said that from tomorrow I would be healed.
The following day, I got up and felt better than I had in years. I never pass out anymore and thank God for my healing and the new life He has given me. I also realized that I was on the wrong path. God rescued me and brought me back to Him. I got married to this wonderful man that helped me. My hardship happened to take me off the path I was on and lead me to where God wanted me. Together my husband and I serve the Lord, and it is such a blessing!
My Spiritual Calling
My husband and I are very active in our church. We got baptized together, which was so precious. Ever since then, I felt that God had something bigger in store for me. I feel an urgency in me to do more for my God. The Pastor asked me to be the leader for the seniors of our church. My husband and I do it together, and it is such a joy. I also lead the ladies’ cell group at church and became the worship dance leader. Recently, I gave the dance leadership to a younger leader. I did the dance leading because I could hardly walk for four years. But, after God healed me, I could worship the Lord through dancing.
As time went by, I realized that people who were struggling were coming into my life. My husband and I are not rich, but we can help some. We organize work for people and lead them to the Lord Jesus. I have a love and hunger in my heart to help people learn how to study and understand the Bible and live the Word of God. I have done a lot of outreaches and one time to the hospital to visit cancer patients. There I spoke with two men, who were gangsters, about Jesus, and they gave their hearts to the Lord that day. Afterward, I realized that new Christians need help understanding the Bible, and I would love to help them with proper Biblical knowledge and training at CLI.
Further Ministry Service
I also started a program at church where the seniors teach the younger generation things like cooking, crochet, dressmaking, gardening, pottery, maintenance work, and more. In addition, I contact businesses to give some of the young people free training. I aim to get the whole congregation involved in giving and helping. We do have a very caring congregation, and this project will also help with unity.
Everything I do is not of me but God, who is leading me in a direction. I pray every day for God to use me as He pleases and feel honored that He uses me. We all have a spiritual calling, and mine is to do whatever God leads me to do. I know that God will also equip me with whatever I need to do it. The Holy Spirit will lead me. I do not know what the future holds, but I do know Who has the future. Therefore, I will trust and obey the Lord because He is my everything! I know that He loves me, and there will be a great testimony out of this.
Proper Biblical Knowledge and Training at CLI
I hope there is a vast library in heaven full of Bibles because I can sit for hours and study the Bible. I realized that I could not go on only my understanding. Proper biblical knowledge and training are needed for me to be able to help other people. Unfortunately, I cannot afford training and this is why I am so VERY grateful for the free training that CLI offers. I thank God for laying it on President Henry Reyenga’s heart to give free training and open so many doors for Christians to live out their Spiritual Dream with the proper knowledge and training to do it with confidence. May God bless you!
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.
