God’s Calling
My name is Charles Michael Wolfe, but everyone knows me as Mike. At this writing, I am 67 and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here). I am excited about this tuition-free online Bible college opportunity.
After reading other people’s stories and hearing about the challenges faced and overcome, I wonder what I can write about that might encourage people or inspire people. I’ve never been really poor or persecuted for my faith. Thankfully, I’ve never had a personal tragedy that rocked my world. I had a few health issues, including liver cancer and a liver transplant. However, with the Lord’s hand on my life, I survived and am pretty healthy.
My Story
When I was five, I started kindergarten and met my best friend, Bobby. He walked past my house every morning on the way to school. He lived a block away and his father was a Pastor of a small church in Dayton. Bobby was my best friend. He invited me to go to church with him, and I never looked back. Bobby’s father, Jerry, was the Pastor. So, I went to church with Bobby on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday night prayer meetings.
I begged my mom to come to church with me. Finally, through guilt, she made my whole family start coming to church. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 8 years old. However, that was mostly because I was told it was the right thing to do. So I recited some words in a summer vacation Bible school at my church. As I look back over the last 60 years of my life, that simple confession changed my life. The Lord was always with me, even when I wasn’t with Him. He guided my life and protected me, but mostly, God was patient with me.
Changes and Faith Growth
Throughout my youth, there were problems. My parents divorced, and our family was torn apart. My brothers and sisters, six of us, lived with my mom and the man who eventually became my stepfather. We were on and off welfare and moved constantly. They were alcoholics who fought weekly until one day, she stabbed and killed him in self-defense.
The Lord was with me throughout this time. However, I never developed a relationship with Him until I got out of the Army in 1976. I met a seminary student who was the happiest man alive, and to this day, his smile, his joy, and his faith are contagious. I met him for 10 minutes and said to him, “I don’t know what you have that makes you so happy, but I want it!” He reintroduced me to Jesus. To this day, John Polis serves the Lord faithfully as an Apolistic Bishop who travels the world to introduce people to Jesus Christ.
I studied the Bible all the time and turned my life over to the Lord. Further, my aunt and uncle were very strong Christians who taught me, nurtured me, and challenged me. I attended church with them and was baptized in 1977. My aunt Judy said to me, “The Lord has something special planned for you. I don’t know what it is, but He is going to use you.”
My Calling and the Bible College Opportunity at CLI and CLI
I married in 1979. After 43 years of marriage, we have two grown children and four grandchildren, one of which is a special needs child and the sweetest little girl in the world.
I am so thankful for Christian Leaders Institute. After all of these years, the Lord is calling me to become a Chaplain! It is the thing my aunt prophesied all those years ago. I love talking about the Lord and teaching people about God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ.
Christian Leaders Institute and CLI’s Leadership Excellence School allow me to first get an Associate Degree in Chaplaincy. Then, I will go on to a Bachelor’s Degree. I could never pay the thousands of dollars that such a degree would cost at any other Bible college. Furthermore, just because it is tuition free does not mean it’s easy. The Connections class is extensive, and I am excited about the myriad of other courses that I am required to take in order to earn this degree. I am so thankful for this tuition-free Bible College opportunity! I am so appreciative of the Christian Leaders Institute for making this possible. Thank you so much!
Philippians 4:6 – 7 “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- College Degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
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