How do we empower Christians to spread vibrant and transformative Christianity? Are you called to make an impact in 
the world?
Imagine that Christians anywhere could become trained in spreading authentic, impactful faith in their communities. Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) makes this possible by empowering Christians from all walks of life to be confident and competent ministers, equipped to serve in their unique areas of calling and gifting.
When the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost, Acts 2 describes how the disciples were transformed into empowered Christians, launching the Christian faith into the world. Nearly 2,000 years later, the Holy Spirit still empowers Christians to advance the Christian movement. This mission is not limited to one generation or career clergy; it includes everyone—people of every age, race, social rank, and economic status. CLI’s free ministry training and affordable credentials enable this mission to thrive.
Empowering Christians – The Inspiration
Christian Leaders Institute draws inspiration from Acts 2:16-18, where Peter declares, “God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” This vision highlights a Spirit-led, inclusive ministry for every believer. CLI embraces this foundation by empowering Christians globally to serve as volunteer and paid ministers, thought leaders, and spiritual guides.
Through traditional ministry training, the Ministry Sciences approach, a Philosophy program rooted in a Christian worldview, and business and enterprise courses, CLI equips believers to meet the holistic needs of individuals and communities, spreading the gospel in today’s complex world.
Acts 2: A Model for Ministry Today
Acts 2 emphasizes an empowering and inclusive ministry model where God’s Spirit enables every believer—young and old, men and women, sons and daughters—to participate. CLI builds on this vision by providing high-quality, accessible training in Bible, theology, ministry care, philosophy, and business. The result? A reproducible ministry model that can reach communities globally.
1. Traditional Ministry Training: Foundations for Service
CLI’s traditional ministry training gives Christians a solid foundation to serve effectively, covering essential theology, pastoral skills, and ordination pathways. This training prepares students to lead confidently in both formal and informal roles.
- Bible and Theology
CLI’s Bible and theology courses help Christians understand and share their faith with clarity. Courses include Bible survey, biblical interpretation, Christian theology, and church history, ensuring students are equipped to share and live out their faith. - Practical Ministry Skills
Courses in preaching, worship leadership, and pastoral care prepare students to lead congregations, counsel individuals, and spread the gospel effectively. - Ordination and Volunteer Ministry Pathways
CLI’s ordination program through the Christian Leaders Alliance empowers Christians in underserved areas to serve as ordained leaders, officiating weddings, baptisms, and other ceremonies, fostering empowered communities.
2. The Ministry Sciences Approach: Addressing the Whole Person
CLI’s Ministry Sciences approach acknowledges that effective ministry goes beyond spiritual guidance. It integrates theology, psychology, Christian philosophy, and social sciences to empower ministers to meet people’s physical, emotional, and relational needs. Each Ministry Science course studies ministry aids in human flourishing.
- Human Flourishing as a Focus
Ministry Science courses equip ministers to promote well-being, help people navigate relationship challenges, mental health, and social issues, and create spiritual and personal growth environments. - Ministry Care and Coaching Training
CLI offers specialized training in marriage, intimacy, conflict resolution, and crisis management, empowering ministers to provide biblically grounded support for life’s challenges. - Empowering Communities through Holistic Ministry
The Ministry Sciences approach emphasizes community transformation, training ministers to serve as agents of positive change, addressing poverty, mental health, and family dynamics for flourishing communities.
3. Business and Enterprise Courses: Impact in the Marketplace
CLI’s business and enterprise courses and credentials empower Christians with the practical skills for marketplace ministry. These courses teach believers to integrate their faith into business, enabling them to be community leaders and entrepreneurs who drive social and economic growth.
- Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Students learn foundational business skills, from management principles to ethical entrepreneurship, empowering Christians to run businesses that benefit communities while glorifying God. - Financial Stewardship and Ethical Leadership
Courses cover financial principles and ethical leadership, empowering Christians to manage resources and be examples of faith-led business practices responsibly. - Marketplace Ministry and Community Impact
By integrating faith with work, CLI’s business courses help Christians transform workplaces into mission fields, making lasting societal impacts.
4. Philosophy Program: Developing Christian Thought Leaders
CLI’s Philosophy program empowers Christians to engage with today’s culture and serve as thought leaders. Rooted in a Christian worldview, this program helps students analyze philosophical issues and bring biblically grounded insights to public discourse.
- Foundational Philosophy Courses
The program covers topics like the history of philosophy, metaphysics, and epistemology, enabling Christians to thoughtfully address cultural and societal trends. - Cultural Engagement and Worldview Formation
CLI’s philosophy training equips Christians to respond to secularism, relativism, and postmodernism with biblically grounded insights. - Promoting Critical Thinking and Dialogue
Courses foster critical thinking, empowering Christians to engage in meaningful conversations that promote truth, justice, and integrity, equipping them to address broader cultural issues.
Empowering Christians with Credentials
Christian Leaders Institute offers two schools. The first is the Christian Development School, which empowers Christians with adult education credentials, including awards, certificates, and diplomas.
The second is the Leadership Excellence School, which empowers Christians through higher education credentials and offers Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs. Christian Leaders Institute affirms an accreditation path for credibility and has many academic partners. Click here to see the United States Department of Education database.
Through Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in Divinity, Christian and Ministry Leadership, and Philosophy, CLI empowers Christians to grow as ministry and community leaders, equipping them for impactful service over the long term.
Building a Movement of Empowered Believers
With its inclusive and comprehensive training in ministry, Ministry Sciences, Philosophy, and business, CLI empowers Christians to serve as ministers, counselors, coaches, chaplains, and thought leaders. This model reflects the Acts 2 vision of inclusive ministry, empowering every believer to contribute to God’s kingdom, regardless of their background or formal church role.
This inclusive approach enables Christians to lead and serve in ways that can reach even the most underserved communities.
Transforming Lives and Communities
CLI’s programs are designed to have a far-reaching impact on spreading the gospel and transforming communities:
- Localized Impact
By training local leaders online, CLI enables culturally relevant ministries to adapt to specific community contexts, encouraging organic growth. - Scalable Evangelism
Each trained volunteer becomes a “superspreader” of the gospel, creating exponential opportunities for discipleship. - Empowered Thought Leadership
By training Christians as thought leaders, CLI empowers communities to shape culture according to values aligned with Christian perspectives.
The Christian Leaders Institute Vision in Action
CLI’s approach combines traditional theological foundations, holistic Ministry Sciences, business education, and philosophical rigor to bring a modern, inclusive vision of Acts 2 to life. This unique blend empowers Christians to address real-world needs, inspiring community transformation. This vision invites every Christian to join a movement embodying the gospel in all its dimensions, creating a holistic, Christ-centered approach for a flourishing world.
Join the Movement
Ready to empower yourself for ministry and community leadership? Start your journey with Christian Leaders Institute today and discover how you can help shape a world rooted in Christ’s love and truth.
Empower more Christians through multiplication
Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) CLI offers free, donation-supported ministry training courses made possible by the generosity of individuals and organizations committed to equipping Christian leaders worldwide. Thanks to these contributions, CLI provides access to over 200 high-quality courses covering a broad spectrum of ministry-related topics
Make a Donation. These courses are designed to help students grow in their faith, leadership skills, and biblical knowledge without the financial burden often associated with higher education.
In addition to offering free courses, Christian Leaders Institute provides academic credentials for those seeking formal recognition of their studies. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, and even degrees in ministry, which help them to develop a deeper understanding of theology, ministry practices, and leadership.
CLI also partners with the Christian Leaders Alliance to provide minister ordination credentials, supporting those called to serve as volunteer, part-time, or full-time ministers. Whether you aspire to officiate weddings, lead a church, or offer pastoral care, the ordination programs at Christian Leaders Alliance equip you with the credentials and training needed to serve effectively in your ministry role.