Children’s and Women’s Ministry

Children’s and Women’s Ministry Journey

My name is April Van Buul, from Alberta, Canada. My husband, Jonathan, and I have seven amazing children and two grandchildren. The oldest of four siblings, I was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. I have known my children’s and women’s ministry calling for a long time.

Currently, I teach children’s Sunday group at the local church as well as the children’s Community group every month. I serve the community through food drives and clothing drives/sales. Also, I work with local families for the Homeschool gathering and swap as well. I desire to guide the new generation to the Lord. Maintaining the Lambs that are already there, I hope to encourage those that are stumbling. I am working on becoming an officiant here for weddings and funerals and looking at working with the local senior’s homes and hospitals as well.

Early Struggles

Time and time again, my calling was pushed aside as I thought I was not worthy. That was wrong and based on false guilt. My childhood was broken and full of trials. The Lord called me since childhood at six. Through the years, I have been through temptations, sickness, and challenges.
I received Christ in 2011 and sought to follow God’s path since then. Though the trials have held me back, I have not turned away. Instead, the tests made me try to follow where the Lord leads me.

Nothing came easy in a broken home. My parents divorced when I was two. I was abused, misunderstood, and in foster care by age 11. I have suffered from PTSD and Depression. From ages 16-24, I struggled. I had two children too young. Single and alone, frightened, injured from an accident, and desperate to provide for my children.

College

Later, I picked myself up and went to college. Global INC trained me for Travel and Tourism. Knowing what I was taking was not what I wanted, I was unsure as to what exactly I was searching for or how to get there. I continued to struggle with my health. The Lord said, “Come.” I worked hard and studied both my main classes as well as the Bible on my own. The Bible brought me closer to God and Christ, more and more.

Marriage and Family Health Challenges

Then, I met my husband and settled down. He is a believer also and just the support I needed. We had a family. I started to prepare to study for the ministry. When our daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma Cancer and OMAS (an immune disease) in 2011, I was brought up close and personal with a trial no person wants. Again, my studies were on hold. Her care was the priority, and she started to heal. The calling came back. Then my husband was the one in hospital.

Again, trials and delays followed the calling. Yet the Lord held our hands through it all. Carried us during the worst and taught me so much more. Again, sickness. This time me. I had a parasite due to contaminated water. I was thought not to have much time, and still, the Lord held our hands. He has more excellent plans for me.

Now, today, gratitude is unwavering. Our daughter is still with us as well as Jon and me, bringing me closer to Christ as ever. Then last year, our youngest child was diagnosed with a hole in her heart. She is on the waiting list for open-heart surgery. I hope it happens in the spring. Last month, our second-youngest was diagnosed with Absence Seizures.

Children’s and Women’s Ministry Study at CLI

My marriage is difficult more due to differences in upbringing than anything. My husband is an old fashioned man that loves me for my love of the Lord but does not believe in a female minister. This issue is still a thorn for us. We are working towards an understanding. May this be accomplished through patience and teaching by the Lord. So far, he has agreed to support me in ministry training.

Today, the need will no longer be ignored. So here I am at your door, Christian Leaders Institute. Thank the Lord and you for opening it. I know that these trials are only to make me who I am today. Strong and mighty in the Lord, with empathy and understanding for others. May the Lord guide me to use what I have learned and will learn to work well for the Name and Word of the Lord.

My Scripture Verses and My Goal

Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Revelations 21: 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

My goal is to become an Ordained Minister, focusing on Children’s and Women’s ministry. From there, well, the Lord knows. Bless you, all.

Learn about ordination at Christian Leader Alliance.