My Calling: Ministry for Broken or New Marriages
My name is Blake Spurling. God has called me to minister to couples dealing with broken marriages or new couples trying to find their way. I am at the Christian Leaders Institute for biblical marriage ministry courses (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Testimony
I live in Middle, Georgia, in the United States. I grew up in a Christian home. My childhood was filled with the joys of growing up. I was the younger brother of a family of four. My parents ensured we had everything we wanted, even if that meant sacrificing their happiness. Although my dad didn’t go often, my mom took us to church on Sunday. This led me to live a close walk with God. When I was 11, the Spirit moved me during Vacation Bible School. I accepted Jesus that day as my Savior.
As all the joy and happiness of salvation came, the temptations of the world jumped into my young mind. I was a pretty good baseball player at this time. Selfish and arrogant, I put all of my focus on baseball and started failing in school. Up until this point, I was always an honor roll student. Disappointed in my actions, my parents eventually had me give up baseball.
Challenges
I became somewhat rebellious in the next few years. Sixth grade taught me much about life and how people are hateful. I experienced bullying throughout the entire course of that year. The teachers would not listen to me when I asked for help. Frustrated with school, I lied to my parents about being sick, so I wouldn’t have to go. Eventually, my mom caught on. The look she had in her eyes when I finally told the truth was oddly similar to when I got in trouble. However, I knew she wasn’t mad at me. We went to school that day, and the problem was solved.
Although the situation was rectified, the hurt and trauma were still there. So I looked for friendships and came up empty. I was like on an island alone. The few friends I did have, I was very cautious over. This pattern continued most of my tenure in school up until I graduated.
My Marriage and My Struggles
After graduation, I dated my soon-to-be wife. We began dating in August and were engaged by November of the same year. So many people said some hateful things about us, “story of my life,” as they thought we were moving too fast. People failed to realize she was one of my few friends since the 8th grade. We survived some of the turmoil and moved on with our lives. On August 31, 2013, we said I do in a church surrounded by all the people we love.
Sadly, I was a terrible husband, I needed some biblical marriage ministry courses to help me. Everything we did before marriage felt nonexistent to me. I suddenly believed the people that said we wouldn’t last. Eventually, I told my wife in 2016 that I wanted a divorce as I was tired of coexisting. I blamed her for my problems and just wanted to be done. She took the blame for all my concerns, and somehow by the grace of God, she convinced me to stay. A few short days later, we found out we were expecting our first child.
One thing I did not do even after our child arrived was change. I was still not a great husband and an even worse father. My main goal at this point in my life was to be successful. I convinced myself that one day my family would look back at all I had achieved, and they wouldn’t care that I was not there. Instead, they would be proud of my achievements. What reassured me was that people told me that my marriage was perfect and we looked so happy. I was painting the picture I had planned, and people believed it.
Challenges and Changes
A second child was coming, and my wife had a full load. If I thought I was nonexistent before, I was then. So I took a position in a different state and left my pregnant wife and child at home. My wife wanted me to be happy and live my dream, so she allowed me to go. I would leave on Monday and come home on Friday.
One night in a hotel room, God started working on me. I felt super emotional as thoughts flooded my mind of how miserable I was. Finally, I knelt and asked God to help me and show me what to do. Things started changing after that. My life had some setbacks that ultimately led to God’s plan for my life.
When Covid hit in 2020, I was laid off from what I thought was my dream job. It was the best thing that could have happened to me. I spent the next two months with my family every day. I began catching up on lost time. Eventually, I returned to that job after my wife gave birth to our second child. He came without instructions. He had several issues with his health that we had to work through. I knew that I could not continue this work journey any further.
New Direction
After a health scare with our youngest, it was time to settle down with my family again. I took a job close to home and ended my “dream” job. I became depressed since I had to let my dreams go. Sadly, I did not give much support to my wife. It became so bad that there was little communication when I got off from work. I would walk in, go to my den, and play games or watch tv alone. I was alone in my misery.
This started the newfound journey of wanting to be a hunter, something I could do alone. I started from scratch. I took the hunter’s safety test and purchased licenses. My older brother taught me the basics of hunting with his rifle, and the next time out, I went alone. That day November 17, 2022, Jesus came into my life. As I sat there and wept over my life, the person I was, the husband and father that I wasn’t. He led me to a scripture that told me it was okay. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
Biblical Marriage Ministry Courses at CLI
I told my wife about everything that day and asked her for forgiveness. We worked out our broken relationship. I felt the calling to restore my marriage and help others who might think there is no other way to salvage theirs. This led me to the Christian Leaders Institute for biblical marriage ministry courses as I answered my calling to help struggling marriages.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls 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 Jesse Marie Rugh. Currently, I am getting online biblical minister training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here). I live in Farmington, Missouri, USA, with my husband, Adam, and three of our four children. Our children are ages 16-20 and working their way out of our home.
My Great Grandmothers’ Prayers
I grew up in Arkansas in small nondenominational churches and many basement/home Bible studies. My father is in the ministry. My grandmother and great-grandmothers were in the ministry. Further, my great-great grandma Granger (my mother’s great-grandmother) wrote in her Last Will and Testament that all of her offspring would know and serve God. She was a missionary and did some amazing things in her life. I had such a strong love and faith as a young child.
However, like many, something happened to cause me to be angry towards God. I was 17 when I turned in another direction after being assaulted. It was the beginning of what I call my “dark decade.” In that decade, I sought every solution for my pain except God.
Then one day, I had enough of trying to pick up the pieces of my life by myself. Maybe it’s that I felt the prayers that my great-grandmothers’ prayed over my life many years ago. So, I asked my mom if she’d go to church with me, and she agreed. My life was a mess. I was afraid to go to church alone. I thought everyone could see my shame dripping off my skin, at least, that’s how I felt. However, that church and those loving people offered me love like Jesus. That was the start of my return to Him.
My First Calling
I went to nursing school and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Soon, I began working as a psychiatric nurse, which I’ve now been doing for eight years. I have had the privilege of caring for many people who suffered similar traumas to me and coped with those traumas in similar ways. So, I used my experiences to provide compassionate empathetic care to them. I thought that was my only calling. However, working 60-hour weeks and having no time for church or my family could not be God’s only plan for me. I felt the pull to draw closer to Him and stop living to work.
My Second Calling and Biblical Minister Training at CLI
I’m not sure exactly where my call to ministry will take me. However, I know it’s time for me to work towards HIS purpose for my life and to no longer try to find MY own fallible purpose. I believe He will use the redemption and overcoming in my past to minister to others who are hurting.
Searching for Biblical minister training online, I found the Christian Leaders Institute. I chose Christian Leaders Institute Training because I crave a deeper understanding, connection, and purpose in ministry.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls 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
Find out how to become a minister with an online program. Click Here
Online Church Ministry
Hello everyone! My name is Richard P. Smith, and I live in Salisbury – Wiltshire, England. I have gained Bible and ministry knowledge by studying with the Christian Leaders Institute since 2020 (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here). Before studying here, I completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a separate MBA. However, my knowledge of Christianity was very limited. Studying with CLI here in England is very easy for me. I can access the programs during breaks at work or when I am sitting in my car. It is perfect if I need to watch a short video or read some scripture.
My Spiritual Journey
I came back to Christianity relatively late in life. In my childhood, my family was not very religious. However, my Gran was a churchwarden and two of my aunts were enthusiastic preachers in the Methodist Church. I have always been a private worshipper. I often read my Bible alone and prayed when I went through a particularly tough time. About three years ago, I started attending church after completing the first of two Alpha courses.
As I started my first Alpha course, my father was diagnosed with prostate and bone cancers. His health deteriorated quite rapidly. I prayed for him every day and night. However, the most amazing experience for me came during our Alpha weekend. It was an online course. So we did a back-to-back session. Afterward, we held a group prayer meeting where we had the opportunity to pray for a loved one. Collectively, we prayed for my Dad as he had been told his cancer had worsened quite a bit since his diagnosis. I thought this was a bit crazy and didn’t think we would see any change. How wrong I was! It amazed me and led me to the start of my ministry journey. My Dad’s health improved so much that it was a miracle. I know prayer was responsible. I use this story to help my evangelism whenever I can.
Bible and Ministry Knowledge at CLI
My spiritual dream is to achieve my Degree in Divinity with CLI’s Leadership Excellence School and start an online church group that helps people in their local communities.
The only obstacle I have faced in my ministry journey so far is with work. It has been strange how since starting to become a strong Christian, my work pattern has been a serious block to attending church. I worked as a caregiver in the community, which meant working every Sunday. Then, I got a job that meant working from 1100 hours every Sunday. Therefore, I still miss church. It does, however, mean that I get every Monday through Thursday off, which allows me extra time to study with CLI.
The CLI training has provided the grounding I need for ministry. I need to be able to answer questions and without detailed Bible and ministry knowledge, that is almost impossible. I am really looking forward to completing my Licensed Minister qualification soon and then moving on to study for my degree.
God bless you in your studies, and I hope to meet some of you one day!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls 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 how to become a minister with an online program. Click Here
Find out more about women in ministry here