Answering God’s Call
My name is Benjamin Artman, and I live in the rural city of Payette, Idaho. Recently, I found the Christian Leaders Institute for online tuition-free Bible courses (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Journey
I joined the Army after a short try at college after graduation from high school. I found I was greatly lacking self-discipline. You see when I was younger we did not attend church regularly if at all. My first introduction to God was at our school bus stop which was located in a church parking lot. That was where God planted the seed, that over what seemed like a long arduous journey, would lead to my repentance, salvation, and calling into ministry.
Finding Tuition Free Online Bible Courses at CLI
I am still not certain where God wants to use me. However, I want to obtain as much knowledge as I can so I may be fully equipped for the challenges and spiritual warfare that lies ahead of me. It was a blessing to find the Christian Leaders Institute with an “at my pace” program that not only is affordable but has minimal fees if any. Tuition-free Bible courses allow me to take that potential burden out of the equation while providing for my family. With that hurdle removed, I am able to start immediately, instead of having to put it off indefinitely.
I am fired up to be used in many different roles as God guides me along the way. My desire is to bring as many people as possible the Good News. I am so thankful that the Christian Leaders Institute has this ministry. Further, I can’t wait to pay it forward within the Institute, the Kingdom, and the world.
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 Story, Walk, and Journey into Ministry
Hi! My name is Zoya M. Thompson. I am thankful for the training in the Bible and ministry at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here). I minister, therefore, I am a minister for the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for this training opportunity!
My Story
I am a mother of six beautiful children: three boys and three girls. I’m also a wife to an amazing, outgoing husband. Louisiana is not where we originated from, but Louisiana is our home now. Throughout life, my studies consisted of basic Grammar School, High School, and some college under my belt. Being a Christian Leaders student here in Louisiana, I found it very fascinating to know that there are so many believers who support me and also want to become a student at CLI.
My childhood was very unique. Growing up, we never knew the difference between rich and poor. Our parents always made sure we had everything that was needed including a foundation in God. My mother always provided the love, nurture, and guidance we needed through the different stages of our lives. Although my biological father was absent, God sent a stepfather into our lives.
There, he taught us how to become women and to respect our bodies and mind even at an early age.
Jesus Christ was always around me. Sometimes, I would play and talk by myself, but I was never alone. My mother always had us in the church whether it was with her or a family member. Our foundation was firm in the Lord. We knew Jesus Christ and we lived by Him.
My Walk: For Such a Time as This
As I grew, I wanted more of God. So, sometimes even when my parents didn’t go to service, I found a way to be there. I finally realized that in this life you can’t make it without God. When my adulthood began, I was on the praise dance team and joined the choir. However, it was during the pandemic that I realized God was preparing me for more. I had a group of women who would come by, and I encouraged, prayed, and ministered to them. That’s when I knew I was chosen for such a time as this.
God gave me different dreams, good and bad. One was during the first stage of the pandemic, I was walking through a hospital with a covering over my head. It was a royal purple color. Everyone around me was sick or hurt. However, while the covering was on me, they couldn’t see me. God sent me someone to interpret that dream. That person said that “God was showing me that I was covered and that I should continue to do what I was doing and move forward.”
Different Obstacles and God’s Provision
I’ve faced many different obstacles in my life. Some good and some bad. From leaving the house too early and fast to getting married at an early age; to facing every abuse one could name physical, emotional, verbal, and mental abuse; and hiding from my loved ones. I watched myself go into a place of uncertainty. However, God was only shaping and molding me into the woman I am today – grateful, thankful, and humbled. I realized after my second marriage that I needed God. I would not make it out in my right mind if I didn’t have Him.
One time, I asked God if He could show me how to provide and make Covid masks for my children, family, and friends. Not only did He show me, but God also provided the machine, fabric, and all. I also remember during that time that I sat at the table making masks and listening to Gospel music. One time, the song was, “Let Me Touch You” by Kirk Franklin & Family. I reached out my hand and The Holy Spirit touched me!!! Right then and there, I knew that I wanted more of God and to live His way only.
I began to read the Bible more and more, worshipping and praising God. Even my children witnessed God’s glory for themselves. We all started to have visions and dreams. For me, when I spoke or talked to someone, I could see everything they mentioned. It was amazing!
Journey into Training in the Bible and Ministry at CLI
The Christian Leaders training will equip me more for this journey that God has chosen me for. Christian Leaders Institute is a blessing to me. I never would have dreamed of going back to college let alone receiving training in the Bible and ministry. It’s truly a blessing, especially in the times we are living in. So, when The Holy Spirit led me to CLI’s site, it was truly a moment to say, “But God!!”
So, thank you Christian Leaders Institute for not only spreading the Gospel but also teaching and training God’s children! God bless you!!
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.
Hi, my name is David Male. I found the Christian Leaders Institute for tuition free higher education (Learn more about studying to be a licensed minister and studying the Bible online, Click Here). Now, I am an ordained and licensed pastor through CLI and CLA. I have also received three diplomas.
My Journey
I grew up in Victoria, Australia. For the most part, it was easy growing up here even as a Christian. Originally, born in Bendigo, my family moved away from there near the end of grade four for me. I am the youngest with two older brothers. I am 26 years old, married with one amazing kid, and working full-time as a security manager. I started in security after completing my Cert 2&3 in security operations. My dream is to help lead as many people as I can to God.
Born into a Christian family, I never departed from God. However, in primary school, I wanted to be liked so when asked if I was a Christian or forced to be one? I replied, “I’m not sure, I just follow what my parents do.” After saying this, I felt bad in my heart like I lied to God himself. To this day, that one line and the verse saying about whoever denies Jesus will be denied by God remind me to make sure I am always being honest and upfront about my faith. I am also working on trying to preach more at church or online but we will see how that goes with time.
Growing up, I was never really a bad person. I did do things I shouldn’t have and feel regret for everything I did. But through God’s never-ending love, I use it to help relate to and teach others who have or are going through similar situations.
Challenges
Growing up, I was unsure about what I wanted to do for work. I wanted to be a teacher, doctor, lawyer, soldier, and bounty hunter (at that age, I didn’t realize we don’t have bounty hunters in Australia). When I was in grade 10, I decided to join the military. So I completed year 11 and then enlisted in the Army. However, I ended up hurting my calf only three months later and left the army with every intention of joining back.
However, after leaving the army, I didn’t know what I wanted to do in my life. So, I really prayed about it and tried to work out where God wanted me. Soon after, I had two near-death car crashes which changed what path I was on. They turned me around from where I thought I was meant to go. I broke my arm and chipped my spine and shoulder blade in the first crash. In the second crash, I coughed up a bit of blood and was fully covered in glass. Thankfully, I had no passenger because a branch about as thick as a soccer ball punctured through the front window. It went into the chest of the passenger seat, into the back seat, and even into the boot. If someone had been there, they would have been killed.
Encouragement
At first, after my injuries, it was hard for me because I felt worthless and useless. But, after praying to God and seeking wisdom from pastors at church, I ended up working at a supermarket as a cashier (I know boring right?). However, the four years I spent there were quite interesting. God put me in multiple situations where I was able to talk to workers and even some customers about religion and God’s help throughout my life.
After these multiple encounters and people asking all the tough questions, it pushed me to really study the Word of God and not what people had told me about it. Researching more and more into God’s Word, I started to care less and less about what the future holds. I simply enjoyed spreading God’s Word to anyone and everyone as well as researching as much as possible.
Growing at CLI
I am eternally grateful for these classes at CLI. They allow me to learn so much and walk closer to God. I can’t afford to study and provide for my family at the same time. Therefore, I don’t have to stress about anything, and I can still do what I love, studying God’s Word.
A challenge I faced not long ago was that the church I grew up in kept seeing me as a kid. The leaders wouldn’t allow me to do anything like pray, preach, or even talk about God. They still saw me as a child. Sadly, I was not the only one having this trouble at the church.
However, where I live there is a church across the road. So I go there now, and the pastor there has been mentoring me. The pastor is really looking forward to the day I agree to preach in front of everyone. After swapping churches, learning and applying what I have studied at CLI is so much more relaxing. Because now I have a voice to put it into effect.
Tuition Free Higher Education at CLI
This tuition free higher education with CLI helps me to feel more confident and informed about my life decisions. It helps me clarify and have more ways or ultimate ways of thinking or planning. I find this true especially in studying the Bible and applying Jesus’ teachings.
The free training offered through the courses has helped me greatly. Because now there are no money issues for studying God’s Word. I even get a lovely certificate for achieving a higher knowledge or understanding.
Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit of my story.
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.