To Know Him and Make Him Known
My name is Chad Dalton, and I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I am blessed to be married to Kameren. We have two amazing sons, Asa and Luke, 16 and 14 years old respectively. Currently, we live in Rapallo, Italy, where we serve as missionaries. We have been here for almost six years and have a small church that meets in our apartment. Currently, I am studying at Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online free ministry and Bible courses, Click Here) and want to get a Bachelor’s Degree in ministry.
The Long Journey Began
It’s been a long journey to get here. So, I’ll try not to bore you with all the details. I grew up in the small town of Tehachapi, California in a Christian home. At a young age, I had a desire to know the Lord. One vivid memory from that time is when I was riding my bike on deserted roads. I was spontaneously singing to the Lord as the words came into my heart, without a care in the world. I don’t remember my exact age but was under ten. Unfortunately, I didn’t cultivate that relationship. I walked away in my early adolescence when I got into the wrong crowd and a lifestyle of drugs. The Lord saved me from so much. It’s a miracle I’m still alive!
Saved and Called to Ministry
At the age of 17, I was invited to live with my brother and his roommates in Pismo Beach, California. They wanted to help me get out of the situation I was in, help me find a job, and get my life together. I took them up on the offer. So, in June of 1997, I started off on a new adventure that would change everything. As per a good-behavior contract, they made me sign to live with them, I had to attend all church meetings available. It wasn’t long before the Holy Spirit got hold of me.
The church was doing a series of tent meetings in a crime-ridden neighborhood. I’ll never forget how each night the conviction of the Holy Spirit was more and more intense. I knew that if I were to die, I would have gone to hell. After several nights of strengthening conviction, I surrendered all to Him. When the preacher asked who wanted to be saved, I went forward, a sobbing mess. I was in the presence of the Lord. Everyone up front hugged me and prayed for me.
God liberated me of all drug addiction that night! For the next few months, I grew in my walk with Jesus, then returned to my hometown a new man. God kept me from falling back into the old ways. He provided me with new friends that encouraged me in the Lord, and I began to sense a call to ministry.
Ministry Service
After graduation, I moved to North Carolina, where I worked as a Camp Counselor. Through a connection with the Camp Pastor, I was introduced to YWAM (Youth with a Mission). I attended the YWAM Discipleship Training School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Afterward, I went to India for two months for the outreach which was part of the program. After that, I knew God had called me to serve in missions.
From there, I went to a ministry school in Charlotte. I also worked with a church plant in Winston-Salem for my internship with the school. It was there that I met my wife, and we started our family. We both knew that God had called us to missions, but still didn’t know when He would release us to go.
Fast forward several years, we were serving in a new church plant in Winston-Salem. I was running my own woodworking business. We were also raising two young boys. God was blessing the business, and we had great opportunities in the church. However, something wasn’t sitting right in our hearts.
Missions
We took the beginning of 2014 to fast and pray. So, we asked God to either give us a passion to serve where we were in the church and the growing business or to show us what else He had planned. We both heard clearly from the Lord that it was time to pursue missions. Our church supported us, and long story short, sent us to Kansas City to the headquarters of Avant Ministries, a missionary sending agency. We were commissioned in July of 2014. Over the course of the next two years, we raised all of the support necessary to go.
So, we sold our business, our home, and packed up to follow Jesus to Italy. We arrived in June of 2016. First, we spent some time in a language school. Now, we pastor a small group of new believers in the town of Rapallo.
Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry with CLI/CLI
I’m a learner at heart and have wanted to get a degree for some time. The ministry school I attended was great and foundational in my walk with the Lord. But, it was more practical than academic and did not offer any sort of degree other than a certificate of completion. I want to be more prepared for the ministry God has called me to, so I am looking forward to working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in ministry with the Christian Leaders Institute and CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My desire is to see a multitude come to Christ, being rooted in Him, growing in their love for Him, being equipped to serve His Church, and going into the world as passionate followers of Jesus!
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 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. Then you can 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.
