I am from the USA. I am also a student at the Christian Leaders Institute for free ministry and Bible education online (Learn more about Bible courses and ministry classes online, Click Here).
My Journey Began
Like most people, my life hasn’t been perfect. I grew up in a loving home with one sister and brother with my grandparents living next door. We all went to church together in our small town in rural Louisiana. Then as I was a young teenager, disaster struck. After a mental breakdown, the doctors diagnosed my mother with Bipolar and Schizophrenic tendencies. Therefore, our lives changed forever.
We stopped attending church and eventually, my parent’s marriage fell apart. I rebelled and became pregnant in my senior year of high school. This is where I stop and say I always felt God near me…even in the rebellion and sin. He whispered my name over and over. I also married the father of that sweet baby girl. That began an abusive marriage situation that lasted two years. I was a mess. Then, God stepped in!
My Journey to Ministry and Bible Education at CLI
Eventually, I met a wonderful man at my job who exuded faith, kindness, and mercy. He showed me that I was worthy. We married and began attending church together. Baptized in Christ at 20 years old, my life has never been the same.
Married for 24 years, we have five kids. We lived a “normal” life.
Then in 2017, God called us to foster. A couple of years later, God led us to adopt. We said yes to God in every way. We adopted a sibling set of three kids from foster care. So while we were getting our biological kids into college and high school, we also added three little kids again. My husband jokes that he will never get to retire.
Soon after answering in faith that calling, I received another call from the Lord to minister. I am honestly not completely sure in what capacity. I love the idea of working with women in difficult situations, as I have lived through some. God will help me know where I can be used. I am so excited to get started at the Christian Leaders Institute for ministry and Bible education.
Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute
Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Parts 1 &2.
After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.
Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course. Then you can enroll in mini-courses or regular courses.
The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute to further my relationship with Christ (Learn more about Bible courses and ministry classes online, Click Here). Also, I want to dive deeper into studying and sharing God’s Word, the Bible. I searched everywhere but found none other than CLI. My goal is to become a Bible Study Minister and maybe a pastor if God leads me to do so. My wife and I each have two pastors in the family. I look forward to this journey to expand God’s kingdom and impact lives.
My hobbies are reading and writing. I am currently working on a non-fiction Christian book. Also, I am an avid bowler who hopes to one day bowl on a professional tour. I bowled with some big names in the sport and enjoyed their insight. I also love listening to all kinds of Christian music and Jazz.
My Spiritual Journey
I grew up in the church for much of my youth. However, as I got older, life got in the way. I married and had my first child at the age of 18. So adulthood came rather early in my life. I don’t regret having my children, but knowing what I know now I would have waited. I tried to stay in church and grow stronger in a relationship with God. However, the more I tried the harder Satan pushed me not only away from the church, but completely away from anything to do with God or religion.
Struggles
I fell into a very dark place, in which I ended up losing my wife to her affairs. Still, through it all, I remained positive we could work it out. But, the devil had other plans. He tempted me into the drug scene which at this emotional roller coaster of life was a step away from the reality of the pain I endured during this time of my life. It was so bad I ended up not only using but also dealing. The whirlwind had begun. By this time, my wife had left me for someone else and taken the kids with her. I didn’t know where they were or how they were doing.
The depression set in and the thoughts of suicide were like a growing tumor in my mind. Thoughts of being unworthy to live, my kids hate me, and just ending it all, went through my mind. Long story short, I survived all of that not because I was strong but because God was strong in me. Further, I had health issues along the way including two mini TIA’s to two mild cardiac infarctions. I married again and thought she was the one. However, twenty years later she also left me for someone else.
New Direction: Bible Study Minister
From then on, I let God work in my life and tried to be obedient. My journey actually started moving forward into the unknown, but amazing things started falling into place. Fast forward, I have married again and could not be happier. We both came from broken marriages and knew it was the hand of God at work bringing us together.
On my Bible study minister journey, God put CLI in my path. I intend to follow wherever God leads me in ministry. I hope to continue to grow in Christ and in Godly friendships at CLI. God bless!
Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute
Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Parts 1 &2.
After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.
Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course. Then you can enroll in mini-courses or regular courses.
The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.
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, everyone! My name is Yvonne Sanson. Called to Christian Life Coaching ministry, I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Bible courses and Christian Life Coaching classes online, Click Here).
My Roots
I began life and grew up in northeastern Ohio. My family migrated up from West Virginia and Kentucky coal mines to find work in the northern industry. They hoped to make a better life for their children. I came from true dirt poor, hard-working Appalachian bloodlines.
My great grandpa was an old-time gospel preacher and singer. He played guitar and traveled over the hills and in hollers to preach the gospel to all who would listen. He taught my Grandma how to play the mandolin and guitar! Grandma loved singing with him as they visited churches all around praising the Lord. They raised their children to love the Lord and hold the Bible’s teachings above all things.
Our Music Gift
The music gift was ever present in my family and I can not recall one relative who couldn’t sing, do harmonies, play many instruments, and write songs. My father was a musician. He played in some world-famous gospel and bluegrass bands over his entire life. My daddy was in Savanna Beach, Georgia, playing a show, with a well-known band the evening I was born in Ohio. I inherited these musical abilities. At least, that’s what I thought until God put it on my heart that these were gifts given to me by Him.
I learned to sing at age 4, singing with my dad and mom at a Freewill Baptist Church. The sweat would pour down the old man’s red face. He would walk hard up and down the aisle of the church. He held his Bible while preaching to the lost, hurting, and broken ones. We all were! I remember thinking that this should be kinda scary, but I wasn’t scared. Somehow, in my 4-year-old mind, I knew what he was saying was so important that he had to yell it at the top of his lungs. There were tent revivals, traveling to churches, music, and faith!
Changes and Challenges
My mother and father divorced my senior year of high school. My only full-blooded sister was 12 years old. It was hard on us all. Broken relationships, remarriages, and adding step brothers and sisters were all new and challenging.
Then, I married a local and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 19. I was saved, prayed over many times, and felt the call of the Lord on my life with music. So, I followed!
Excited for my new life, new adventures, and an unstoppable determination, I hit Nashville wide open! Shy, naïve, and yet, strong-willed and independent, I took the music industry on head first. Yet, at first, I always kept God as my center. Then, things got crazy! I started stumbling and being enticed to move in directions I knew I shouldn’t. My husband’s and my relationship was sinking.
More Changes
However, before divorcing, we decided to move to north Alabama. We had been visiting a church there that we loved! Our pastor from Ohio was a great influence. He had connections to the Contemporary Christian music industry and guided us through prayer. He also introduced us to other Christian musicians that lived in the area. These folks took us in and mentored us.
We bought a home and attended the church we felt called to. So, we lived with a Godly group of people who understood how to guide and grow us. We were trying to be upstanding Christians. We were trying to salvage our marriage. I was also trying to save a dream of a successful music career.
Getting in the Way of God’s Plan
Still knowing God made a way, our faith was strong, but we were weak. One night, I was reading my Bible and praying to the Lord to help me. My favorite song was Stand Still and Let God Move. The words were ringing loud in my head. I knew what I had to do. But the devil jumped all over me and told me I was standing still while everyone around me was getting the prize. They were getting what I wanted! They were doing something and I was standing still!
I’ll never forget that night! I pushed the Bible across my floor and said, “I’m tired of standing still, Lord! You brought me this far, and nothing is changing.” Nothing was changing because I now know that I was the one who needed to change.
My testimony is one for all walks of life. It’s for all to hear who have struggled thinking God has forsaken them. It is for all to know that God has the best life for us. We are the ones that get in the way of His plan and purpose! In the way of His calling upon our lives. The devil is real! I’ve seen him, and I let him lie to me. I didn’t even realize I was doing this!
My Life
I am remarried to a wonderful man. He is now retired from law enforcement. For over 20 years, I’ve been a self-employed teacher of guitar, vocals, and songwriting. I co-wrote a song with some Muscle Shoals Alabama writers and country music artist Randy Travis called “America Will Always Stand.” It was written about the 9-11 tragedies. All proceeds went to help the American Red Cross and the victim’s families.
Finding CLI: Christian Life Coaching Ministry
My eyes welled up with tears when I watched the first video here at Christian Leaders Institute. It was with Henry Reyenga as he told his story about being in New York when the towers fell. That was my confirmation that I was at the right place! Amen!
I mentored 1000s of children, teens, and adults of all ages. I love this kind of communication and fellowship. When I teach, I not only teach a skill, but I listen to the broken and minister to them.
I am excited to further my calling at CLI and am on fire to share the gospel and the love of Christ! I never lost my faith, because God never let go of me! The Holy Spirit was always at work in me! Praise God! I never dropped my Bible, but I have blown the dust off of it many times!
God bless all of you who are reading this. May you find your higher calling in the kingdom of God! I pray you will find peace, understanding, and the strength to know that Jesus is our only way and hope! There’s no greater understanding than the Word of God and loving others.
I plan to go into Christian Life Coaching and Ministry. Thank you, CLI, for seeing a need, having a vision, and answering God’s call! God’s Blessing upon you!
Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute
Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Parts 1 &2.
After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.
Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course. Then you can enroll in mini-courses or regular courses.
The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.