My name is Cheyenne Stalter. I am 28 years old and live in Naples, NY with my amazing husband Chad and our beautiful 7-month-old daughter, Briar. Recently, I found the Christian Leaders Institute with Bible knowledge classes online (Learn more about Bible knowledge classes online, Click Here).
I tried college but never made it through the first semester due to a loss in my life. So, I went on to work as a nanny until I got a job at the company my mom worked at that developed medical devices for heart surgery. I worked hard there for eight years and found my way into the patent and trademark department. After having my daughter this past February, I became a stay-at-home mom and left my career. It was a tough decision, but the best decision I have ever made.
Growing Up as a Christian
I grew up as a Christian. My mother took my two sisters and me to church every Sunday, however, my dad never went with us. I was a shy kid and struggled with mental breakdowns. My mom told us what was right and wrong, but then sometimes did what she told us was wrong. So, I was a confused Christian kid for a while until my grandma took over.
My grandma was my mother’s mother. She raised me when I was little while my parents worked. She imprinted on me as a mother more than my own mother did (Now as I am 28, my mom feels bad she wasn’t there for me more when I was younger). My grandma, who I called “Mama,” taught me to pray before every meal. We also did little Bible studies every day. She even brought me to Vacation Bible School (VBS) every summer. VBS is where I was saved when I was seven years old.
As I didn’t fully understand what I was doing then, I asked Jesus into my heart again when I was 15. My youth pastor at that time was amazing. He is the one that ordained my husband and me. He climbed a mountain with us in the Adirondacks during COVID to ordain us! It was beautiful.
Drawn Closer to God
Anyways, I have always believed in God, but not until something happened that brought me closer to Him. It was Thanksgiving night in 2012. I was living with my grandparents while attending a community college. My grandma had cancer (she was a heavy smoker). She went into a coma a couple of weeks prior and slept in a hospital bed in the living room. It was around 11:00 at night. I was sleeping on the floor next to her bed when my mom woke me up to say grandma had passed.
I had been crying for weeks, asking God why He was taking her from me. She was the only one who helped me with my problems and was there for me when I was having a breakdown or having a bad day at school or fighting with my sisters. She was my best friend. But after my mom told me, I pulled the blankets over my head and didn’t cry a single tear. I felt my mom lay down on me and hug me. I could feel her warmth and compassion towards my sorrow. But as I lifted my arm around the blankets to hug her back, there wasn’t anyone there. That is when I knew God was telling me I would be alright and that “Mama” was in a better place.
My Calling to Minister to My Daughter and Possibly Other Kids
Since my grandma passed away, my life was on a constant roller coaster being on the right and wrong paths until I met my amazing husband. He is a gift from God. I truly believe we were made for each other. We bought some land in the Bristol Mountains and built our cabin ourselves. We got engaged four months after meeting, married the next year, then decided to become parents.
Our little girl is what made me search online for classes I could take to better educate myself on the Bible. I also just want to be a better Christian. I try my hardest but I am not good at speaking, so I try to show people about God by my actions. However, it’s not enough for me. I am not knowledgeable in the Bible even though I have read through it a couple of times. I also want to be a good Christian role model for my daughter. In this day in age, there is so much evil out in the world that my duty as a parent is to protect and guide her and any other kids that we may have. Especially in schools right now, and sadly, I do not see this changing or getting any better for a while.
I want to create a homeschool curriculum to teach her the correct history of our planet and our country. I want to teach her how to survive in the world as an adult and homestead and be a Christian wife and mother someday. But most of all, to know God and our purpose for being here on Earth. Maybe I can even create one that could be taught by other mothers around the country.
Bible Knowledge Classes at CLI
I have a lot of creativity and drive, just not enough knowledge yet. However, I am willing to put in the time to get there. That is my goal in furthering my Bible knowledge and taking classes at Christian Leaders Institute. I don’t have a steady income anymore, so I am very thankful to have stumbled upon such an amazing place as Christian Leaders. I am very excited to see where this takes me!
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 Walk with The Father
Hello everyone, my name is Lewis C. Rutherford Jr, and I’m from Indianapolis, Indiana. Called to be a chaplain minister, I am studying at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Early Walk
I’m a preacher’s kid and grew up most of my life in the church. My father is a pastor, and my mom is an evangelist. My mom always told my brother and me that we are destined for great things. However, I never knew what that was at that time. Later in my teen years, I lived with my mom in Indy and begin to have a relationship with Christ. I came to know who I am and what God called me to be.
1 Samuel 16:7 really stood out to me. God was revealing to me what he called me to be at the age of 16. It was a call to be a pastor. At that time, I wasn’t sure how that would be possible since I didn’t like speaking in front of others. But my response to God was: “Lord if this is what you call me to be, then help me not to be what I see.” I want to be a pastor who is always after God’s own heart and to serve His people the way He intended for me to serve.
My Late And Present Walk
I’m married and have two daughters, even though I had some valleys and trenches to go through like going through a divorce with my first wife in my early adulthood. God helped me heal and move forward. He helped me to understand the difference of what it means to have a real helpmeet that He chose for me. God helped me find my voice again in a place where fear and rejection spoke up for me. God gave me someone that not only sees me but also sees the purpose and plan God has for my life. Further, she is able to be a mom to my two daughters.
Every day, I’m grateful to God for putting me and Erica Rutherford together. Every day, she helps me to be what God wants me to be. We are book authors and publishers. We have written 16 books and started a magazine line. I’m a licensed CNA at Methodist Hospital and also a deacon at my local church. God uses me to minister and empower others through my writings and also encourage people at my job. I’m also a singer and songwriter. I play piano and drums and am working on the guitar.
My New Chaplain Minister Journey with CLI
I’m thankful that I came to the Christian Leaders convention of 2022. My wife Erica was getting her wedding officiant license. It was powerful to hear the testimonies of how CLI helped the students’ lives. I enjoyed being around the leaders and others while fellowshipping. Being there really helped me to know my why and the path to take to get there. I understand that being a chaplain and also getting my deacon minister’s license is part of my calling and part of the process of becoming a pastor. I’m thankful for this opportunity to be able to be a student at CLI and able to be the Christian leader that God wants me to be.
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.
God’s Work in My Life
My name is Ni Putu Airawathi Kryml. I am from Bali, Indonesia. Married with three children, I want to study the Bible more in depth and found the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about studying the Bible online, Click Here).
My Youth
I grew up in a common Hindu family. My childhood was full of fun, dirt, friends, ferns, and dragonflies. We lived in a small village surrounded by rice paddies. My days were spent chasing dragonflies or picking ferns for dinner. Besides these activities, the next best thing was my grandmother’s bedtime story about heaven. I was always fascinated by them. I don’t remember exactly which stories she told us just that they were about heaven and I liked hearing them. From a very young age, I was already very interested in the unseen world. The world of the spirits and God.
During one Hindu festival, my father took me to the beach to watch some performances. There were also many stalls selling toys and trinkets. He let me buy a necklace that day. So, I bought a necklace with a cross pendant. When we got home, one of my grandmas, who is Catholic, saw my necklace and asked if I want to be a Christian when I grew up. I didn’t say anything, however, I think that stayed in my heart. It feels like our Heavenly Father was speaking to me through her. I was around 5 or 6 years old.
Loss, Anger, and Salvation in Christ
When I was 17, my mother passed away in a car accident. Devastated, I had so much anger and pain in my heart. I felt God didn’t love me because He took my mother away. I felt alone and abandoned.
In 2002, there was a bombing in one of our cities and many people died. At this time, I was in college studying hotel management. Some students arranged for a group of volunteers to help out at the nearby hospital. So I joined them. I was at the crisis center when I met two people who told me about Christ. They shared the Good News.
I still wasn’t sure until the night I watched the Jesus movie. The Holy Spirit helped me to see myself for who I am, a sinner who needs salvation in Christ Jesus. I opened myself to Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour. From that day, I joined a Bible study and went to church. In March 2003, I was baptized.
My New Journey
My new journey with the Lord was wonderful. I met many brothers and sisters in Christ. They welcomed me with open arms and hearts. I had joy in my life. The wound from losing my mom was healing. Knowing I was loved by my Creator and other believers healed my heart from my pain.
In 2004, I left for the USA. During my time there, I had lots of experiences. I saw the beauty and ugliness of creation. It made me see my own culture in a new light, from the view of the Bible. Being part of and living in the culture itself, I couldn’t see any goodness in it because of its tight relationship with the Hindu religion. Studying the Bible more in depth helped me to see goodness in my culture.
When I got back to my island, I joined a ministry reaching out to the surfing community. I managed a community center with recreational facilities for kids and young people. We also ran a club for the local kids where we shared Good News and taught English.
Expressing My Faith Through My Culture
After some time, I started to play the gamelan, a Balinese musical instrument. I met some Balinese who are also believers and artists. From them, I learned how to express my faith through my culture.
I worked with this community for 10 years. During this time I learned more about the Bible and church planting. My passion for reaching my people group grew strongly. I undertook training and learned to put everything into practice. God allowed us to see a harvest from the fields. It boosted our faith.
In 2012, I married and continued working with the community, however, not as much as before. When I gave birth to my second child, I retired from full-time ministry and volunteered within the community. During this time, I focused more on my family.
Desire to Study the Bible More In Depth at CLI
When war broke out in Ukraine, it made me think more about the end times. I wanted to study the Bible, know more about God, and understand His future for the world. As time and money didn’t permit me to attend college, I searched for free Bible courses online.
I am very thankful to have found the Christian Leaders Institute online. God led me to walk this journey with CLI. I am grateful for the free courses you offer. Thank you for accepting me as a student. Currently, my passion is to reach my family and community. I also love teaching and would like to teach God’s Word to children in a school setting one day. At CLI, I want to study the Bible more in-depth and get the qualifications to teach formally. I look forward to walking this journey with Christian Leaders! Blessings!
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.