God Is My Rock
I am Samantha Janes, from the United States. I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute to become a First Responder Chaplain.
My Journey
God has been my rock since I accepted him as my Lord and Savior at the age of seven. I experienced a multitude of physical and sexual trauma in my childhood. The lack of a solid foundation at home polluted much of my adult life. I was ill-equipped to make many of the decisions that life requires. I learned from a young age to accept the physical and mental pain I experienced and leaned on the Lord to bring me comfort.
All my life, I have always enjoyed helping others. Further, I was never shy when it came to asking someone if I could lend a hand or if they would like me to pray with them. Despite feeling crummy for a large portion of my years, I have always known God had a plan for me. The suffering I experienced was part of His divine plan. Of course, I didn’t like the suffering, but the idea that it was for a greater purpose gave me hope.
Time for Healing
Over a decade ago, I had the opportunity to be mentored by a woman who was a third-generation family farmer. I did not know at the time that the Lord would use this education as a vehicle for the healing that my heart and soul were so desperately seeking.
Since that time, I have spent countless hours in the garden. A safe space to explore the pains of my past was long overdue. As I cultivated the land to sow seeds and reap the rewards of harvest, God tended to the garden in my heart. He tended to my broken heart as he opened my heart to forgive those who broke it. He sowed the seeds of love every time I donated vegetables and flowers to those who needed food or a smile. His grace, like a ripple in a pond, had a long-reaching effect. Having been shown grace, I was able to give grace to people who crossed my path.
Further Healing and Peace
One of my deepest pains in life came from when my father left my mother when I was a very young child. For years, I asked the Lord to give me forgiveness for my dad. I didn’t want to keep carrying the burden that had cut so deep into my heart. In the spring of 2022, my dad invited me to come to live closer to him. He was aging and needed support to navigate his aging body within the healthcare system. I joyfully made the 500-mile move, saying goodbye to longtime friends and the farmland that God used in my healing.
My dad and I went to church together. We held hands and prayed. We laughed and cried and talked about the past. God ushered in a new phase of our relationship. The Lord healed both of our hearts from the past. My dad passed away four months after my move. I gave him his last hug on earth and watched as he took his last breath on his way to our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful God gave us that time to reunite and to heal.
CLI: First Responder Chaplain Training
The Lord led me to the Christian Leaders Institute training. Now, I can continue to grow and share the love of the Lord with my local community and begin my journey to become a First Responder Chaplain. My heart longs to share the love and grace of the Lord with those who are experiencing moments that feel unbearable. Phillippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- 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.
