Equipped Christian Leader

Equipped Christian Leader

My name is Alida Munro, and I am studying at Christian Leaders Institue to become an equipped Christian leader. I am 43 years old and from South Africa. Here in South Africa, it is not common for a woman to be a Christian leader. It is mostly men that carry the title. I know a few women who take the title as Christian leaders, but it is also in communities and churches where they are accepted.

Church Experiences in My Youth

I grew up in a Pentecostal Protestant house and church because of my mother. That was her background, so I followed in her footsteps. I fell in love with Jesus at a very young age, always going to Sunday school. My father got saved at the age of 35 years old and served in the Pentecostal Protestant Church as a Church Councillor member.

I used to sing in the church choir as well as a duo with my younger brother. Eventually, I sang solo up to the age of 14 years (also the age I got baptized). At 14, I gave up on singing because of something that a church member told me, and I did not agree, so I never went on stage again. Dark spirits tormented me from a very young age. But, the dark spirits stopped haunting me when I was about 16 years old.

First Encounter with Jesus

The very first encounter that I can remember with Jesus was when I was ten years old. I was standing in front of the ocean right after learning from my father that our food source ran out. I stood on the beach speaking to Jesus saying; “Jesus, if you are real, please let an orange wash up out of the sea for me.” A ship passed by on the ocean dropping fruit. In a matter of seconds, an orange washed up out of the sea and landed right by my feet. I ran to my father, telling him about it, and wanting to share it with my family. My father told me to have it for myself. Since that day, no one could convince me that Jesus does not exist.

Struggles on My Journey

I used to be a people pleaser and not a God pleaser. In 2004, I wandered from God’s path. That resulted in me getting messed up with wrong friends, wrong men, and corrupt people in general. My life spiraled out of control entirely, not once, not twice, but three times in the past 29 plus years. I have two failed marriages where I was abused in every way you can imagine. Out of these two abusive marriages, three beautiful children were born; one son and two daughters, who suffered immensely because of all my bad choices.

I received the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in 2016, which made my life even more difficult. In the same year, I was re-baptized. This year was also when I realized I wanted to walk in leadership circles in church.

Seeking God and Desiring to Become an Equipped Christian Leader

I began looking to Jesus after I faced death in my second marriage when my husband tried to suffocate me. I realized that something was wrong with that picture, and I started seeking God’s face earnestly to find out where I went wrong. God showed me that I was idolizing my husbands, my father, my brother, and everybody else who was not serving God in truth. That is why I could not hear God speak to me for more than three years.

When I sought God, He spoke to me through visions, dreams, and Scripture. I knew that I had to leave everything that was bad for my children and me and go where God led. So my real journey with God started in 2012 where everything turned into hell against me and around me, but I had Jesus. Jesus is who kept me going.

Spiritual Dream

I dream of helping abused women, children, older people, and animals. I also dream of bringing God’s message of peace to families, churches, communities, countries, and continents. Being a good steward of the earth God has given us is another goal of mine. I hope to use my Christian Leaders Institute training in my ministry dream. It will help me be an equipped Christian Leader for bringing God’s gospel of peace to all nations.

Christian Leaders Institute and Becoming an Equipped Christian Leader

I enrolled in free training at CLI because I could not afford to pay for a college education. One day, I searched the internet, and I found the Christian Leaders Institute, and here I am. I am so thankful for the opportunity to study at CLI and become an equipped Christian leader. It is a life long dream come true.

My husband, Leon Munro, inspired and encouraged me to study further because he knows it has been a dream of mine. So when I discovered the Christian Leaders Institute, he told me to give it a go, and I did.

I want to thank every person making this possible for me to study at Christian Leaders Institute. I want to become a vision partner when financial blessing comes to give back to the organization God has blessed me through. Most of all, I want to thank God Almighty for giving me the chance of a lifetime fulfilling the dream He gave me.

Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.