God is Always in the Details
I am Christina Diane, a 43-year-old EuroAfrican Latina from the USA. I am getting the Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant credential through classes at the Christian Leaders Institute and with the Christian Leaders Alliance.
My Story
Born into the Catholic Church and raised in Spanish Harlem and the Bronx, faith was not a significant topic of discussion growing up. Although I had a praying Grandmother who worked in the church, my understanding was never about having a relationship with God. I completed my confirmation and communion. But, looking back even today, I do not understand their significance.
In my family, growing up, I witnessed domestic violence, alcoholism, arguing, promiscuity, drug addiction, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as witchcraft. At home, we rarely talked about God, faith, or religion. However, I remember a particular season when I went to church on Sundays with my godfather and his wife. I also remember my mother’s beautiful oversized white Bible open in the living room. I somehow believed that Bible available and on display meant we, at the very least, invited God into our home.
However, because of all the negative things I experienced and witnessed growing up, I often felt God did not want to be with us in return. There were many seasons when life was emotionally heavy. Although today I know my family did the best they could with what they had and knew, I saw God as a punisher based on our circumstances.
Trauma
After experiencing a traumatic event at the age of 10, my understanding of God reflected my trauma. God was mean and not happy with me or my family. So, I wanted nothing to do with Him. I searched for peace and higher understanding throughout high school. Until my mid-twenties, I practiced Buddhism and sought out New Age.
During a season when I was fascinated to learn more about my ancestors, I had a detailed conversation with my Grandmother. From her, I learned we came from a lineage of women with “spiritual powers.” Fascinated then, I delved deeper into what I thought was white magic. Ultimately, God helped me understand this was a stronghold of witchcraft in my bloodline. Further, I would soon be called to become the repairer of the breach and break many generational strongholds and dark covenants.
Encounter with Christ and Spiritual Warfare
In 2008 while living in Wellington, Florida, I was introduced to Jesus for the very first time at a worship experience with LifeChurch led by Pastor Craig Groeschel. At the age of 28, I was baptized for the first time in the name of Jesus Christ. That same year and unbeknownst to me, the spiritual warfare intensified.
From 2010-2017, I often waivered in my walk with God. Looking back, I call these my seven years as a single mom and lukewarm believer. I did not have a strong community of believers around me and did not want any. My lack of understanding of the importance of the Christian community kept me in the illusion that if I could make my life look good on the outside, no one needed to know my past or my pain.
Healing and Growth
In 2017-2018, God began tugging on my heart in powerful and apparent ways. I began to read more about lasting transformation, healing, and deliverance. The Holy Spirit opened my mind, eyes, and ears in ways where I found God in the details of my story. I realized many of my breakdowns and most challenging seasons were for breakthroughs.
I rededicated myself in February 2018, three days before the massive shooting that would take place at my son’s High School in Parkland, Florida. There have been some highs and some lows. Glory be to God! The Holy Spirit walks with me daily. He reminds me not by might, not by power but by His Spirit.
My life hasn’t been perfect, but it is continuously progressing. I have experienced radical and progressive transformation over the past five years (2018-2023). God has given me revelation in so many areas of my life. I have experienced many of his promises, especially that of Romans 8:28-30 and Isaiah 61:3-7. He has revealed some of my callings and has allowed me to identify specific assignments. God has opened the door to opportunities to work and serve in ministry. Further, I have experienced healing in the most unexpected ways.
Study at CLI and Wedding Officiant Credential with CLA
Since 2019, God has called me to share my gift of writing. After procrastinating, contending, and allowing fear to keep me passive, in 2022, the Holy Spirit showed me the way. He has given me downloads and blueprints to create unique Journals, Devotionals, and Keepsakes collections. These will inspire, encourage, empower, and equip many others on their journey. Through these writing collections, I pray that many will experience the blessing of transformation and find the fruit of the Holy Spirit and God’s love in their lives.
In May of 2023, God called me to a writing ministry. He also recently gave me the vision to help engaged Christian couples create a “God in the Details Ceremony” for their special wedding day. I want to get a Christian wedding officiant credential. After some research, I aligned with the Christian Leaders Alliance pursuing my Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant credential. I am excited to begin this journey with an organization that fully empowers Christian leaders through biblical truth. I don’t know all God has in store for me, but I know I am right on time, and this is only the beginning. The best is yet to come in Jesus’ matchless and mighty name.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling 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.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
