My name is Edward Ramos. I am from the United States. I am taking tuition-free online courses in ministry and the Bible at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Story
A father of four and grandfather of three, I have always been close to my family and will do anything for them. As a pastor’s son, I grew up in a Christian household. I went to church out of obligation and not by choice. Sadly, I didn’t want anything to do with Christ. I just wanted to live my best life and grow old, but God had a different plan for me.
With my first child, I had a life-changing experience. My wife was eight months pregnant when we were involved in a head-on collision that nearly killed us. I remember screaming to God when trapped in the car. I felt so alone and didn’t feel that God was listening. We managed to get out of the car, but my wife’s right leg was broken. She was unable to move. All I could hear was my wife screaming, “My baby is not moving!” Every bad thought rushed through my head.
In the emergency room, the doctor approached me. He told me that I had to pick between my child and my wife. I remember telling the doctor it was his job to save them both. At that moment, my mother rushed to my side and said, “Let’s pray!” I was so upset that I didn’t want to pray. I felt it was God’s fault. He abandoned me. I walked outside of the emergency room and screamed to the heavens, “I hate you!” At that point, I decided to no longer believe in God.
Running Wild
Over the next 23 years of my life, I ran wild and went down a dark path. During this time, I felt good. My career took off. I made good money and had everything that I ever wanted. However, with all good things, there came a breaking point. Mixed up with the wrong crowd, I even got caught up in organized illegal activity. I was arrested with this group and was looking at twenty to life. I hired one of the best lawyers and was very confident that I was going to walk away without a scratch.
The next two years were miserable. I couldn’t sleep thinking about the case. However, I was still confident that everything would work out. In December, my attorney called and told me to prepare for the worst-case scenario. That meant that I had to consider life in prison without my family. I wouldn’t be part of my kids’ life. This thought broke me down. I couldn’t imagine my life without my family. Therefore, for the first time, I asked God to help me.
Courses in Ministry and the Bible at CLI
On December 18, 2016, I fell to my knees and asked God to forgive me. What happened next was a spiritual experience. I cried and couldn’t stop telling God, “I’m sorry! Please forgive me for doubting you and for turning my back! I felt abandoned when I had my car accident.” Then, I heard His voice and saw a movie in my head. God showed me that He sent His angels to get us out of the car. He saved my wife and child. At that moment, I felt so small. I had blamed God for everything and wasted twenty-three years of my life by believing Satan’s whispered lie in my ear.
Now, I am starting over! I want to understand God and what He wants of me. He has called me for a specific purpose. Now, I need to learn more about God’s Word so I can develop a better understanding of His Kingdom. I keep hearing, “What say you? Will you rise to battle by my side? What say You? Will you rise to battle with me?” This calling beats louder and louder. It has brought me to my knees. I want to know more about the Bible and find God’s purpose for me. So, I enrolled at the Christian Leaders Institute. The tuition-free courses in ministry and the Bible are just what I need for my next steps with God.
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.
Servant of Jesus
My name is Shannon Gossar. Born and raised in Indiana, I currently reside there with my husband of almost 27 years. We have a 26-year-old son, an 18-year-old daughter, and a grandson that will be two in a few months. Called by God to disciple women, I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Journey
I did not grow up in a Christian home. My parents divorced when I was under the age of two. However, my father’s parents were very active in their church. They always desired their grandchildren to attend with them. I did go with them a few times. Unfortunately, I was not interested in church at that age plus my home life was not influencing me to go. I thought of Jesus and God often.
Fast forward to when I met my husband. We met on a cruising strip. Many young people would drive up and down the same road over and over just to meet new people. I met Seth. He was in the Marine Corps during that time, and I was smitten. We dated on and off for six short months. Then, we married. We lived in North Carolina for a time.
I wasn’t saved when we married. My husband did have a church background. About 6-8 months into our marriage, his cousin lived with us for a few months. She was a strong Christian. I noticed something different about her. Then, I found a gospel tract with the Romans’ road plan of salvation on it. I prayed and asked God to save me. Since I did not have anyone to disciple me, I didn’t really grow.
Rededicated to Jesus and Called to Disciple Women
When we moved back to Indiana, after a time we found a church. I reflected on that time I prayed and asked God to save me. Then, I felt convicted because I knew I was not living for the Lord as I should. So, I rededicated my life to Him.
As a rededicated Christian, I continue to learn what it means to be a Christian. Further, I desire to grow in God’s Word and am called to disciple women. The Christian Leaders Institute can help me achieve my goal. I appreciate that I can work at my own pace.
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.
Following the Lord
Hey, y’all! My name is Dustin Keeton. I’m from Jasper, Alabama, United States. Since I was 19, I knew that my calling in life was to serve The Lord and take His Words to all! Recently, my beautiful wife turned me on to the Christian Leaders Institute for the online Biblical courses study opportunity (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here). Now, I am so excited to see where The Lord takes me! This submission that I’ve written barely skims the surface of my life, what I’ve been through, and how God has worked in it! My whole testimony is nothing short of miraculous, and I can’t wait to see how God uses it and me for the benefit of His Kingdom!
Part of My Story
I ran and ran from my calling, but I am done running for one year now! I have fully devoted my life to God and what He has called me to do! In my running from my calling, I have been on mountaintops and in valleys. However, when I say mountain tops, they were nothing but fake mountains. I have learned so much from suffering and His lessons to get me to where I needed to be. I have worked almost every job you could think of in the past 15 years. The jobs ranged from owning a Barbershop to being a Bilingual Sales Executive for a medical software company. I went to college too.
I also lived behind dumpsters and owned two-story houses with anything I wanted in them. However, none of that ever made me happy. What made me happy and whole was accepting my calling from my Gracious Savior Jesus Christ. I just said, “Yes Father!” I never knew true joy, peace, love, happiness, forgiveness, or anything that is Truth until I met Jesus and said yes! By God’s Grace, I am able to write this entry because I could have been dead ten times over. Yet, God kept me here, and now I see why!
The ministry training and Biblical courses study opportunity at the Christian Leaders Institute is just what I need. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Christian Leaders Institute! As I said, even writing this is another miracle. However, all things are possible through Jesus Christ! By the means necessary, He will get His objective completed! God Bless!
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.