I am Peter C. Wuenschel, Ph.D., from Texas in the USA. A student at the Christian Leaders Institute, I am studying ministry and leadership courses. I want to be prepared for whatever the Lord call’s me to in retirement.
Who I Am
I am the Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Bay Area (CIS – Bay Area), a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 agency that provides dropout prevention services in Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts in Texas. I have been with CIS – Bay Area since 1995. Further, I also served as an Adjunct Professor of Social Work at the University of Houston – Clear Lake from 2008 through 2023.
My wife Debbie and I moved to Houston with our four children, Diedra, Jeremiah, Matthew, and Erica, in 1991. We are also proud grandparents of seven grandchildren, Mia, Luna, Kylie Jo, Lieben, Colton, Carwyn, and Ezekiel.
I have a Ph.D. and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston – Graduate School of Social Work. My dissertation focused on management in social service agencies. I also received my Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sociology in 1981.
My Ministry Journey
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I am one of six children. I am also a fraternal twin. While growing up, my family and I were known as the “Singing Wuenschels.” We performed at numerous youth conferences throughout the United States and Canada.
In addition to running the CIS program, I serve as the Chair of the Education Division of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, I sit on the Advisory Council of the University of Houston – Clear Lake Bachelor of Social Work program.
It is truly a blessing to be a part of this community. My excellent job allows me to engage the community in helping kids stay in school so they can have a better life. I work daily with people who share a common vision of an educated workforce. They willingly give back to their community.
God called my parents to Lay Ministry in the Catholic Church in the early 1960s, so I grew up in a family of ministry. Because of my upbringing, God has been real to me all my life. I became active in ministry in the early 1970s through music ministry and weekend ministry retreats.
Ministry and Leadership Courses at CLI
As the Executive Director of a nonprofit and leader in my community, I continue to minister though not in a formal church setting. I plan to continue taking ministry and leadership courses online at the Christian Leader Institute to understand better where God calls me after retirement.
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, and Diplomas with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- College Degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
- 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.
Hello! I am Marandie Kruki from Ohio, U.S.A. I am enrolled in Life Coaching courses at Christian Leaders Institute to become a Life Coach. Right now, I am a personal trainer and want to make a difference in people’s lives beyond their physical health.
My Journey with God
I grew up not believing in God. We were encouraged to think whatever we wanted. Therefore, God was not a part of my life; in my mind, He wasn’t. On the other hand, He was a huge part of my life, which now, looking back, I see. I grew up in an abusive environment where drugs and alcohol were readily available.
I met God when I was 21, strung out, and living in a shelter. In my effort to change my life, I started rehab. Every day I walked past a church. The church sign always read, “What’s missing in ch __ ch? UR.” It became a joke to me after a while. One night, distraught, I decided to end my life by jumping out a 3rd-floor window. As I sat on the ledge looking down, I remembered a friend telling me to try to pray. So I climbed back in and got on my knees. “God, if you are real, I need a sign. Something in black and white, so I can’t mistake it.” The next day I walked past the church, and the sign read, “If you are looking for a sign from God, this is it.” Black and white!!!
It has been an adventure and hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth it! I am 22 years clean, and God is the focus of my life! It was a rough start in getting to know Him. I had no idea who He was or how amazing He is! But, He has been very patient in teaching me.
Life Coaching Courses at CLI
My dream, goal, and desire are to bring Glory to His name! I know God has called me to reach the unreachable, to love the unlovable, and to bring the lost to Him. Through Christian Leaders Institute’s teachings, I hope to accomplish that and more! I appreciate this opportunity and the education I am receiving. It means so much to me to have Christian Leaders Institute! College classes are costly, and if it weren’t for the Life Coaching courses and education I am receiving here, I would not be able to do all I hope to accomplish. Thank you!
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, and Diplomas with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- College Degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
- 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.
My name is Jacobus Johannes Janse van Rensburg, and I reside in Mpumalanga, South Africa. I am studying ministry courses online at the Christian Leaders Institute.
My Journey
Born in Mpumalanga, South Africa, in 1985; it was a turbulent time in South Africa. This period saw the decline and ultimate fall of the Apartheid Government and a dynamic change in our country. I grew up in a “normal” South African suburban household. My parents instilled good morals in me. There was never active church-going or praise. They mentioned the Bible here and there. However, we weren’t a church-going family, even though I was baptized.
Throughout my adolescence, I excelled at sports and academia at school. We moved around a few times, and I settled into each school without issue. But, unfortunately, I reached my teens and soon found the wrong friends and supported inappropriate activities. By no means were we delinquents, but we indulged in the base pleasures of life without thought or consequence.
I finished my official schooling and immediately left the confines of my small town. I moved to the United Kingdom on a shoestring budget. There, I was homeless for a week before finding a stable job and a house. I spent two years in the U.K. Then, I returned to South Africa shortly after the terror attacks in London.
Further Adventures
From there, I started a new and went into the Minerals Testing Industry, which I have been in for the past 17 years. Nearly seven years of that time were spent in East Africa. I worked across Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. During that time, I lived the “ex-pat” life. The things I saw, the amount of suffering and death that surrounded me, were something I was unprepared for. Yet, I never questioned God or tried to stop it other than donating by throwing money at it. God and I weren’t on speaking terms as I had my “great grand plan” and was far too busy.
I started my first company in Mozambique during the pandemic. Midway through the pandemic, my wife and I divorced. She chose to pursue a life with another man. My not being at home drove a wedge into a Godless home for sure. I have two beautiful sons who stay with me. I am truly blessed to have them in my life. After my divorce, I shut myself down for nearly three years. Instead, I focused on personal growth – exercise, training, studying, and growing my businesses. I had no relationship with the Holy Spirit, almost atheistic in my approach. I claimed to be Christian, yet I only prayed twice or thrice a year.
Changes and Salvation
Within a few months, I had the girl of my dreams enter my life again. We met as children. Life happened, and our paths split. She went through difficult times like me and divorced her husband. She has two beautiful children, whom I see as my own. Therefore, God gave me the woman of my dreams and four beautiful children. However, with God, I did not speak.
One Sunday, I joined her and the kids at church. It was an unremarkably dull day in a “normal” church. Expecting to hear the gospel and sing praise songs, I was not expecting anything to happen. Instead, the service began with strong praise songs. I sang louder than anyone else, as I have a background in choir singing. Soon after that, the pastor preached.
During the preaching, the pastor asked those willing to let God lead them to rise and put their hands to the heavens. Within seconds, I rose to my feet. I felt my legs quaking and my knees weakening as I repeated, “God, I hereby submit to your will.” Tears filled my eyes, something I had not felt for over a decade. I was shocked to my core as I was the one who had an answer and a backup, and a plan for everything. Suddenly, I was rendered wholly silent and humbled. It was uncharted territory for me. For the first time in my life, I felt the Grace, Love, and Power of our Lord through my submission. I knew that my life would and could never be the same again. My perception of my reality was shattered.
Studying Ministry Courses at CLI
Putting my business interests aside, I am returning home to lead my family in God’s name and stand strong in my local community. God, by His grace, led me to the Christian Leaders Institute. CLI is where I am starting my journey into Ministry and my newfound life in Christ.
I hold Mathematical Statistics, Workplace Safety Management, Project Management, and Personal Training degrees. Currently, I am studying ministry courses online at the Christian Leaders Institute. I will follow this path that God has laid out for me. Further, I aim to add value to the community, promote Christian Leaders Institute, and share my journey with you and others. I pray that others may also discover the Glory of our God. Blessings to you all!
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, and Diplomas with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- College Degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
- 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.