Hello! My name is Angela Skibitcky. Presently, I live in New Haven, Ct, USA. Currently, I am getting formal online Bible training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online free Bible courses, Click Here).
My Spiritual Journey
I’ve always enjoyed working with people. My career as an esthetician began in a salon. I wanted to help people look and feel good on the outside so that they may feel good on the inside as well. At 30 years old, I attended Community College, got an AS in Human Services, and was certified as a Recreation Therapist. Then, I worked in a nursing home mostly serving the elderly. I witnessed the difference between those that had a love of God and those who did not as they neared death.
My heart has been invested in helping people as far back as I can remember. I did not grow up in a “church family.” Although I had been to church, I had never heard the gospel. I now see God reaching out to me and preparing me. Also, at 30 years old, I became born again despite never hearing the Good News. At the time, I did not know that I was ill, only that I was struggling with my mental health. At the end of my rope, I walked into a dimly lit church on Ash Wednesday. I cried out to God, asking Him for a new life. Thank God I left the service a renewed person despite my continued struggles. That was 27 years ago, and what a journey it has been!
Learning and Growing
Let me back up in time. My mom gave her life to Christ in her sixties and had been praying for me. She bought me a Bible that I had kept in its box for two years. One day in the wee morning hours, I frantically searched for it. Once I found and began reading it, I could not put it down. I could not get enough. So, I called into work “sick’ just to read the Bible all day into the late hours.
For the first time, I was learning what sin is. The Holy Spirit was opening my eyes as well as my heart. I was literally “wowed,” and I wanted to share God’s message with everyone I knew. So I did! Although a few received, I mainly found resistance, adversity, and even hatred toward God and me. I had a lot of zeal without knowledge! I lost friends and didn’t understand. My mother-in-law even threw me out of her house because I informed her that she and we are all sinners! She did later accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior through a Jewish- believer friend of mine.
Struggles and Growth
My search for God’s people and a church continued and continued. Ironically, I found the most unbelieving people in the church-people who proclaimed Jesus but didn’t believe or understand His message, His Word, His love, or His grace. I attended several different denominations. Then, I landed in a religious, rigid, legalistic “cult-like” church. It exasperated the traumas I suffered as a child. What I heard was not what I was hearing from the Holy Spirit. I mainly saw depression, suppression, oppression, and “failure” within its walls. However, this is where I learned how important it is to know and study the Bible.
During this time, I became ill and lost everything. I lost my job, divorced, and the money I had planned on never came. There was very little support from family or friends. Finally, I was diagnosed with hyper-parathyroid disease. HPT causes “fibromyalgia-like” symptoms as well as severe depression and anxiety. It also causes memory loss and an inability to learn even simple things. I spent many days on the couch and not showering. This time is when God showed up for me!
Because I rarely felt well, I stopped regularly attending church. I gave up on fellow Christians, but I never gave up on God. Once again, I dug deep into the Bible, Christian books, and Youtube videos. I intently prayed day and night, asking God for clarity and direction. I began to experience what the love and grace of God indeed are; to know His strength despite my obstacles and situation. So I had a peace that surpasses all understanding and hope. His Spirit impressed that this was a time of drawing closer and learning precisely what the Bible did and did not say.
Changes and Finding CLI
I married my best friend during this season, who I had brought to the Lord several years prior. We had worked together and always kept in touch through our different paths. We always loved each other as individuals. He was willing to care for me and support me financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Everything the devil was using to destroy me, God not only redeemed me from but used for good. My husband and I finally found a home church that we both love and serve. First, I found healing with a Christian therapist and a Healing and Mentoring Program. Then, I found formal online Bible training at the Christian Leaders Institute! I found the fire!
My spiritual dream is to know and have an even closer walk with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I want to be a daughter and bring others through the Holy Spirit to Him effectively. I also want to encourage and strengthen believers within the church, to perhaps one day formally teach and educate, to apply the Word of God in my life, and give Him glory. Through my journey, I have found that God’s gifts are honest and for today. Therefore, I am not afraid to use my voice but humbly, and love that I love theology and apologetics and am a truth researcher.
Formal Online Bible Training at CLI
I’ve wanted to get formal online Bible training for quite some time now. However, I am in my late 50’s and starting over financially. So, I am not interested in a degree or a title or writing papers at length. Yet, God called me to share His Word, love, and grace to unbelievers and believers alike. I want to be able to have an answer and give hope when asked.
If it were not for CLI, I don’t believe I could do this effectively. I don’t always finish what I start. There are days it’s challenging to sit down and focus when life is pulling me in different directions. However, I make CLI a priority so that I can magnify Christ. Through Christ, His Spirit is alive in me. Through learning, my soul has healed. Being a student at Christian Leaders Institute is an honor and a privilege. Thank you, CLI!
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, and then you are allowed to 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
See: Study of Ministry
