My name Is Darrin Reed, and I am on a Biblical education journey at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I live in Conway, South Carolina, USA. Born in Illinois, I am the youngest of five. Our single mom sometimes worked three jobs to provide for us. I never had a Biblical upbringing and started using drugs and alcohol at a very young age. That got me into a lot of trouble, and I ended up in jail multiple times.
Challenges
At the age of 17, I had two DUI arrests and was sent to a treatment center for alcoholism. I attended a 12-step recovery program and learned about God, whom I didn’t understand. I received Jesus when I was 20 and looked for a church to get married in. A minister came to my home and led me to Christ. The next Sunday, we went to his church and were made so uncomfortable. The message we heard was we weren’t living up to the standards that God or that church demanded of believers. We never crossed the threshold of that church again. I floundered with my relationship with God and struggled to stay sober.
After five years of up and down living and blaming everyone for what was going on in life, including God, I sat in my vehicle one evening. I held a gun to my head, screaming at God that if this was all life had to offer, he could stick it! That night I learned that I was terrified to die, and the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart that I had no clue how to live. Miraculously, someone stole that gun from me two weeks later.
New Direction
I returned to the recovery program with fervor and really wanted to know more about God. I began to live in a way that I could see God working in my life. Little by little, my faith grew. I attended another church and recommitted myself to the Lord. I received a water baptism. However, once again, the church rejected me. When I wanted to become a member, the pastor had a problem with my tithing and smoking. Another church relationship ended badly for me. I continued struggling for years to grow deeper in my understanding of God’s will for my life.
My first marriage ended years earlier, and I was about to get married for the second time. My soon-to-be-wife and I wanted to do it right. We felt God had given us both a second chance. We started attending a church where God’s grace and mercy were poured out on us. The people there loved on us when we couldn’t love ourselves. We both grew in our relationship with Christ and our understanding of His Word.
My Call
On many occasions, people told me that I have a gift to preach. When I gave a eulogy at my stepdad’s funeral, the preacher came up and said, “I can see you in a pulpit someday, Darrin.” Another time, my wife and I were eating in a small restaurant. We sat to eat, prayed, and started to enjoy our meal. A stranger walked up and put his hand on my shoulder, saying, “Boy, you ever thought about preaching?” I responded in awe that I had heard that before. He said, “Don’t miss your calling.” Then he walked out the door.
I was completely broken that day and surrendered everything to God. I said, “Here I am, all of me, do what you want, lead me wherever you want, I just want to serve you, Lord.” Since then, I have grown in my relationship with God and seek to follow Jesus every day.
Beginning My Biblical Education Journey at CLI
I have been a Christian for over 35 years now and have felt the call to full-time ministry for many years. I had the opportunity to serve the Lord in many areas, including full-time ministry for six years with a Bible Translation Ministry. However, I was never able to go on a good Biblical education journey. I am grateful that someone pointed me to the Christian Leaders Institute. Now I am on this Biblical education journey here. Therefore, I will be better equipped for whatever doors the Lord opens in the future. Thanks and God Bless!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
