I am Marilyn Sarah Moore (Taylor). The biblical classes for ministry at the Christian Leaders Institute are preparing me for my calling from God.
My Story
As a child, I felt pretty different from all the other kids. So, I felt like an outsider. I had alcoholic parents who battled their terrible pasts without the Lord. Therefore, I struggled with depression and feeling unloved while growing up. At a young age, I knew I wanted something different for myself. So, I gave my heart to the Lord at nine. Even though I didn’t quite understand then, I knew Christians were happy. Since that’s what I wanted, I asked Jesus into my hurting heart.
As a young adult, I spent many years searching for that love through broken relationships and partying. I was in and out of the church for a decade. I was running from God but needing Him so desperately at the same time. Too stubborn to give up what I wanted to seek God’s will.
After I lost both of my parents, I was finally desperate enough to surrender to God fully and choose to lay all my hurt, anger, and desires at His feet.
New Direction: Biblical Classes for Ministry at CLI
That was when I started to know Jesus and how real He is. His plans are good and not meant to harm me. Jeremiah 29:11-13 was the first scripture that made me weep tears of joy. I knew that God was saying, “Hey, stop running. I want to help you, not harm you.” That was when I started my journey of trusting the Lord. I felt something new coming, and I walked away from people I never should have been involved with.
A couple of years later, I worked at a well-paying job. However, the environment was not good spiritually. I felt a tug to go and to get into ministry. My desire to spend time with the Lord was real and raw. I quit that job and started taking biblical classes for ministry at Christian Leaders Institute. I became more involved in my church and started a small outreach program. It is based on forgiveness and how essential it is to forgive. Forgiveness is freeing. Unforgiveness puts us in bondage. We can only truly forgive when we understand Christ’s love for us.
My Calling
What the Lord has planned for me is not clear. However, I know I am called to help others who have broken pasts and weren’t raised in the church. They are worthy of the Love of Christ. Jesus loves everyone. His righteousness in us makes us worthy. We are joint heirs with Him. And that is beautiful!
After spending some time in the church as a member, I realized that even those who grew up in the church had similar struggles growing up and those same struggles as adults. There was a purpose in God allowing my turmoil. It is to empathize and show His love to those who don’t understand how Christ desires spiritual freedom for us all.
So here I am, serving the Lord at a Christian organization. I am a woman that led an awful past, like the woman at the well. But Jesus helped me and made me strong in Him. Therefore, I can serve others in a way that glorifies the Kingdom of Heaven. What an honor!
If God can use me to minister, He will surely use you too! It’s as simple as laying it all at His feet and saying “Yes” to His will over your own. No matter your past, Jesus holds your future. Be blessed!
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 College 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.
