Hi! I am Alissa Wied. My family and I live in the United States of America. I am excited to study Bible and theology courses at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Journey
Married for over 20 years, my husband and I have two adult daughters. They grew up on the mission field in Puebla, Mexico, where we lived for almost five years. My husband and I met in college, and both have degrees in Graphic Design and Communication. We currently call Wisconsin home. Like most missionaries, “home” is a very fluid term.
While living in Mexico, we experienced rough physical and spiritual attacks. But in 2018, after many years of prayer, God healed the three of us, my daughters and me, in a single day. God healed us of celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, food allergies, and more. On that day, we experienced God’s love, grace, and power more personally and intimately than ever. You can watch our testimony here: https://youtu.be/dkDu1KAjJuQ.
Our Ministry
We’re independent stateside missionaries through Modern Day Missions with our ministry Outward Heart. We are a unique blend of creative and administrative professionals who work very well as a team. With BA degrees in Design and Marketing from UW-Green Bay, we bring a hands-on proficiency in various disciplines, including layout, design, photography, and writing.
Outward Heart was founded on the idea that incredible “heart” work is happening in tons of ministries. However, too often, that work never makes it to the public’s eye. This fact minimizes the glory God receives through testimonies and more. It also limits the ability of people to grasp the vision, share in the passion, and participate.
However, these things are not the fault of passionate founders and leaders of ministries. It is simply that they are not marketers, may not have the know-how to increase or refine their presence, or perhaps they simply don’t understand the importance that outward appearance has on their calling. Therefore, we give them the know-how to accomplish these things.
Bible and Theology Courses at CLI
I love learning. Lately, I’ve wanted to dig academically into Bible and theology courses. Thankfully, God led me to CLI. Now I am on a study journey at CLI. I can serve others in our community and beyond with greater confidence and understanding of what the Bible says and how it applies to our lives today.
Register for 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:
- Minister 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.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My name is Jan Tobias Basson. I am a full-time teacher in Namibia, and I love it. At the time of writing this profile, I have been married for two months to the best woman on earth, Elain Lubbe Basson. I am also a student at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible and ministry courses online, Click Here).
Spiritual Journey
I grew up in a loving family who were firm believers in Christ. So, my roots are deep from the start of my existence. My mother and father were hard workers and tried their best to provide for my younger brother and me. In my youth, my parents had to wake up early to travel to their jobs. But they trusted me to care for my brother during the day. In addition, my mother always ensured we had enough to eat and keep busy.
My parents are just amazing! I owe everything to them. The situation I was in at the time taught me how to be responsible and how to act when another is dependent on you. I also had many struggles in my life. My faith was tested to its limit a few times. After school, I traveled to South Africa, the Hollywood of Africa. That was when I fell to my lowest, away from my support system. However, it is also where I met my wife, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
Bible and Ministry Courses Online
The things I experienced in 2022 are why I decided to enroll at the Christian Leaders Institute and apply to CLI’s Leadership Excellence School. As a teacher of today’s youth, I see firsthand how impressionable they are. Social media and the general media are killing them in a way they can’t comprehend. It attacks their faith, trying to take their attention away from God.
That is where I come in. I am a Christian and a leader. However, I need and desperately want the knowledge to fight and change as many lives as possible. That is where the Christian Leaders Institute and College come in. I can study the Bible and ministry courses online at CLI/CLI.
My dreams come with many risks. I might even risk my life, but it’s worth it. Working with children is my passion. Seeing them led astray breaks my heart. I need to get the Word of God to them before they are exposed to lies. This is my calling to ministry. God wants me to serve through the school system in Namibia.
Personal life
I have always been a Christian. I was baptized and married in our traditional Dutch Reformed Church. Sports played a massive role in my life. Before my injuries, I represented Namibia in various age groups playing rugby. I had the opportunity to play rugby in the USA and maybe make a living as a pro rugby player. However, I was deeply in love with my wife. Rugby allowed me to make friends worldwide, and I was blessed to be in a country where Christianity is still at its core. Before and after matches, we bowed down, prayed as a team, and thanked God for the opportunity to use our able bodies to have fun. Win or lose; we always praised God.
Rugby is what led me to teach. I started as a rugby coach at Windhoek High School in 2020. At the start of 2022, the school was generous enough to allow me to work for them even though I am not 100% complete with my teaching qualification. In January of 2023, I will start my new rugby coordinator and English teaching job at a local private school in Windhoek.
My wife is a hairdresser and settling into her new environment in Namibia. She left everything in South Africa and followed me back home. I love her with all my heart. We dated for about four years before I asked her to marry me on her father’s farm. We married on the 17th of September, 2022.
Register for 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:
- Minister 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.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Hello, my name is Sibyl Gibson. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute on my Chaplain ministry journey (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Spiritual Journey
Born and raised in a small town called Beaumont, Texas, I grew up with two brothers and one sister. Introduced to Christ at an early age, I was surrounded by a lot of family members who were ministers. My grandfather was a leading pastor at West Tabernacle Baptist Church. I served in his church as a doorkeeper and a choir member. We attended church every Sunday all day and some days during the week.
My siblings and I sometimes pretended that we were having church at home. One particular day, I was jumping up and shouting about Jesus. It is when Jesus came into my life. I had a feeling I couldn’t explain and was receiving the Holy Spirit. I tried to stop praising and shouting thank you, Jesus, but I couldn’t! The Holy Ghost took over. When it all was over, I was one tired sister. This was when I knew God was real.
My Family and Some Obstacles
I moved to Houston, Texas, in April of 89. My loving husband and best friend, Michael, and I have three adult children. One son, Michael, and two daughters, Kairon and Ambra. In April 2010, my youngest daughter was paralyzed during surgery at 17. She was a junior in high school. Our whole lifestyle changed. I couldn’t understand why God would let this happen. I became angry with God for a while when everything didn’t run smoothly.
However, when I spoke with my pastor, he directed me to the scripture John 16:33 NIV. It reads, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” After reading that verse repeatedly, I asked God to give me strength through this because the doctors and hospital were not blamed for the incident. We also had to make our home handicap accessible and pay for everything on our own.
Education
During our journey with our new life, even though my daughter is wheelchair-bound, she didn’t give up on her education. She graduated with honors from high school. Then, she attended Texas Southern University and achieved her bachelor’s degree in education Magna Cum Laude. I had to change my shift from days to nights so I could take her to school and wheel her to class every day.
I also did my online courses outside each classroom she attended. Every day we did this from the time she started college until she graduated. I attended Liberty University, earning my bachelor’s degree in business administration and graduating in 2015. She graduated in 2016. Throughout this ordeal, God gave me the strength to work full time, attend online classes, and take my daughter to school, doctor visits, and physical therapy. It wasn’t easy. We had obstacles, but God was always by our side.
Serving in Ministry on My Chaplain Ministry Journey
I worked in the Medical Field and have been employed for over 30 years. I have a passion for the sick and the family members who have lost loved ones. When I moved to Houston, I joined Crossroads Community Church and served in different areas. I am part of the missionary team that visits nursing homes, takes gifts, and holds church and Bible studies once a month.
I took a class at Crossroads for about 11 months called Master Life, where I achieved my diploma. This class taught me how to be a disciple of Christ. I am also a deaconess. God told me my calling was to comfort the sick, but I was disobedient and kept ignoring it until now. I finally accepted that my calling is to be a Chaplain.
That is how I ended up at the Christian Leaders Institute on my Chaplain ministry journey. When I found Christian Leaders Institute with its tuition-free online classes, I thanked God for leading me here because of my financial situation and making sure my daughter has the things she needs. Sadly, even though she has a college degree in education and applied numerous times, no one offered her a position because of her disabilities. However, I am not giving up. I know God has a plan for her. Isaiah 60:22 NLT reads, “At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” So, my goal is to achieve my associate degree as a chaplain from CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My Chaplain Ministry Journey: Spiritual Dream
My spiritual dream is to continue building a closer relationship with God. I want to put God first and be obedient to His calling for me. I enjoy lifting people’s spirits who feel depressed and alone. There have been times when I felt sad, alone, and had no one to go to. But reading the Bible daily taught me that I can always depend on God. He loves me! Romans 5:8 reads, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
I don’t know what plan God has for me, but I’ve learned that God never makes mistakes. He knows me better than I know myself. So, I will trust Him for what I see in my life right now and for the unseen, what I don’t see, and what lies ahead. I will continue my chaplain ministry journey until God says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Register for 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:
- Minister 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.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.