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.
Hello! My name is Pamela Dunning. I live in the United States of America. With some college education already, I recently changed my direction to study the ministry. When I searched online for Bible study courses, I was delighted to find the high level of instruction available at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here). I feel certain that I will be able to learn and become more proficient in sharing my knowledge of Jesus and the Bible with others.
My Journey
I had a rough childhood. As a Navy family, we moved every couple of years. My father was often away on deployments. So, my mother was overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising nine children. I often felt lost. One Sunday, my older sister took me to a small local church. They showed me there was hope and love in the world. At that church, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 12.
I lost focus of Jesus a few times in my walk through life. However, I never lost Him. Furthermore, He has certainly never lost me. God stayed by my side for my entire life, and I rest in the knowledge that He loves me. His love has shown me how to love others.
Turning Point
I very strongly reconnected with God after the birth of my son. There was a fear in me that I might not be around to care for and raise him. Lying in bed, I felt this fear rise up in me. So, I prayed to the Lord that He would show me what I needed to do to be present for my family. A feeling of peace washed through me, and I just knew. There was nothing for me to do. God had already created me as His own. Jesus suffered and died for my redemption. The Holy Spirit stayed with me since the time that I accepted Christ as Savior when I was twelve years old. I knew then that I was truly changed forever!
Recently, I began searching for more understanding of God’s Word. I felt called to study and learn. I found myself wanting to share my Christianity with others. However, I knew that I did not have the right tools to be effective. So, as I said above, I searched online for Bible study courses and found the Christian Leaders Institute. I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge, the extent of classes, and the generosity of this all being offered for free.
I look forward to this journey of study and growth in the Lord. My life is now changing again. I embrace and look forward to these changes. I pray that God brings us all together so that we can learn and worship together.
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 Thomas Zalewski, from the United States of America. I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute to become a Licensed Ministry Chaplain (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Journey
I grew up in a family that went to church weekly. As a young boy, I was active in the church for many years. I spent many hours on my knees praying in church and at home.
In my young adult life, I knew and feared God. I thought by just knowing that God existed and being good (in my mind) was enough. I never read the Bible. The Bible in our house was a sacred book that only specific people such as a priest, minister, or parent could read.
While serving in the U.S. Military, God placed a couple of close friends in my life who helped me question my faith in a godly way. Through them, I learned to read the Bible and pray from my heart. I had never confessed to myself or others that Jesus was my Lord and Savior, nor was I aware I needed to. One quiet night in my barracks, I knelt before God and told Him I wanted to be 100% correct in following Him. I confessed I was a sinner and needed His saving grace and the power of the blood of Jesus my Savior in my life.
Desire to Continue Learning
My daily desire is to learn about Christ, by being in prayer, reading the Bible and Christian books, and taking Christian classes. I want to grow closer to God in biblical knowledge and understanding.
Recently, a close friend’s son asked me to officiate his wedding. I desire to honor God and the couple by officiating the wedding to the best of my ability. I was ordained via the internet by proclaiming that I believe in Jesus and clicking the submit button. Though I can legally perform a marriage ceremony, I wanted to be ordained by structured and reputable Christian-based organization.
Since becoming a student of the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), I have taken the “Christian Wedding Officiant as a Minister” skills training course. Now, I feel more comfortable and confident in officiating weddings. I am licensed to officiate weddings by the Christian Leaders Alliance.
Chaplain Ministry Journey
Currently, I serve as the Chaplain at the VFW Post. However, I do not have any formal training on what a Chaplain’s duties are other than the VFW Chaplain’s booklet. I desire to learn more about counseling people during sickness, sadness, and joy. I want to be a good mentor to others along with being an example of what a real Christian is. My next learning journey is to become an actual Chaplain. Therefore, I will be enrolling in the “Licensed Ministry Chaplain” course.
I am very thankful to God that through a weekly Bible study with a friend, my friend mentioned CLI to me. This is a blessing and an answer to prayer. I’ve been asking God to help me learn more about Him and the Bible. I did not have a good structure outline on how to do this. Since the Lord directed me to CLI, I now have a set plan on how to achieve my goal.
I am thankful to God for His many blessings upon me. I am also thankful that He put together Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance. They are a blessing to many others seeking to grow closer to the Lord.
Licensed Ministry Chaplain Journey Continues
Since the time I initially wrote my profile above, I have completed the Wedding Officiant course and officiated my first wedding. I didn’t realize all the time that went into officiating a wedding, with the coordination, preparation, counseling, wedding rehearsal, plus the time in practicing the message and visualizing in my mind the wedding celebration.
Further, I have also officiated “Celebrations of Life” for the passing of a couple of people. I am learning the time and dedication required to be a minister. It is not only in the time needed to complete training/teachings, but also the time used in visiting assisted living centers, visiting the sick, attending funerals, and being available to others when they need someone to listen to them or to encourage them spiritually. These are the baby steps God has placed before me in preparing me to take more spiritually mature steps in my journey to be a well-rounded minister for Him.
In several months, I will complete the required courses to be a licensed minister and soon after to be a Licensed Ministry Chaplain. This is the goal I have set for myself. However, CLI has a lot of biblical training and teaching. Therefore, I will continue my studies in order to become more knowledgeable and trained with the intent to be more prepared in ministering to others.
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.