I am Lynette Stephen. I am a Kenyan Sudanese born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. Currently, I study the Word of God and ministry training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here), so I will be prepared for my ministry calling.
My childhood
I didn’t know my father as he died in the war in Sudan. My uncle on my father’s side was a Bishop in the Anglican Church of Sudan. I grew up in Nairobi with my mother and my grandparents, who were Christians. Some of my fondest memories living next to the church was being called to attend Sunday school when all the other children were busy enjoying play day. The church was part of me, and I grew to love the church.
As a child, I knew God answers prayers. My grandfather told me from an early age that God called me to serve. When I was six years old, thieves tried breaking into our house. My grandpa asked me to pray for these thieves had vowed to kill him once they were in. So, I got on my knees and prayed. When I said amen, they left.
In 1998 my grandpa suffered a stroke. On his deathbed, he asked me to promise him that I would become a Bishop. So, I did. But later that night, he left us when he died. That was the beginning of the end. Life became unbearable for us as he was our sole breadwinner. Life changed.
Rededication
In 2012, I rededicated my life to Christ. However, my work took me to different places and wanderings. Finally, in 2018, I returned home, and that was when the conviction was overwhelming. The zeal for the Word of God was like a burning fire within me. I remembered my grandpa’s words. I have a calling from God.
Opportunity to Study the Word of God at CLI
With the Christian Leaders Institute training, I will be equipped to reach out to my people in South Sudan in a better way with the Agape love of God. My dream is to bring the good news of salvation, love, peace, healing, and forgiveness to remote places. They need to know that Jesus Christ is the Anchor of life and the firm foundation.
God bless Christian Leaders Institute and Ministries for giving me this opportunity to fulfill my calling and dream.
Greetings! My name is Benjamin Joseph Onelove, and a deeper study of the Bible at the Christian Leaders Institute is what I want and need (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). Born in May of 1987 in Minnesota, USA, I am a professional licensed massage therapist of 14+ years. I am also a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise. I married my wife, Autumn Anastasia, in 2017. We are expecting our first child, Matteo Kai, to be born in December 2021!
My Conversion Experience
Before becoming a true believer, I was a full-fledged “new-ager.” My former “spiritual path” involved the study of “a course in miracles.” This false teaching led me astray about Jesus for almost 8 years. Then, a series of circumstances provoked me to rethink things. First, I critically compared the Jesus of the Bible with other presentations of Jesus from our modern new-age spiritual culture. Then, when I actually began doing my homework (apologetics), I quickly discovered many more reasons to take the Bible as the true authoritative perspective on God, Jesus, and the nature of reality. There is no comparison to any of the other popular belief systems circulating today from various sources.
Since that night, I truly gave myself over in my heart to trusting and following the Jesus of the Holy Bible, and the Holy Spirit, and God the Father. God has never let me down. As a result, my mind has become clearer, my life has become more stable, and I sleep better at night. The truth of scripture brings stability and clarity to every area of my inner and outer life, thoughts, actions, beliefs, and relationships. It also greatly enhanced my career.
Goals for Ministry
My goals for ministry are many. The Lord has placed inspirations upon my heart that I intend to fulfill. These include becoming a pastor and various areas of ministry. I see in my future Biblical counseling and a ministry of laying on of hands with prayer for supernatural healing of difficult to treat illnesses. I also want to pastor the homeless population. Further, I want to teach apologetics and author books on the subject.
Further ministry goals are a healing ministry in conjunction with my future church. This would include massage therapy for injury rehabilitation, personal injury and illness prevention training, and healthy longevity. In addition, I want to serve as a doctor of traditional naturopathy.
Firm Foundation and Study of the Bible at CLI
I am more satisfied and content as I remove distractions from my life and replace them with kingdom service. I conclude that working for Jesus is fun. It’s an honor to serve the kingdom of God on earth. I recognize the support of the body of Christ compelling me onward more and more as I dedicate all my faculties to Jesus to use for his purposes.
Under the mentorship of the true God of the Bible through His Holy Spirit, I am continually refined. That is why I am excited to do further study of the Bible and ministry at CLI.
All my life, I desired the truth but looked in all the wrong places. Now I’m standing on firm ground, the Bible. I pray that the Lord may restore the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25) and use all of my life’s experiences to glorify HIM. For it is for the sake of His Name that I have been saved from my former way of life. To God be the glory.
My name is Ann Kimathi from Kenya in East Africa, and I am getting a formal Bible education at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). I married in 2005, and God blessed us with a daughter, Grace, age 15, and a son, Timothy, age 10.
Coming to Know Jesus
The fourth born in a family of five, I grew up in the countryside near one of the big cities in Kenya called Nanyuki. We attended a Roman Catholic church near our home, and I was never exposed to any other Christian beliefs. As a teenager in high school, two of my classmates talked to me about Jesus Christ. That was the first time, I heard about the saving grace of God and his love for me.
I received Christ as my personal Savior, and from there, things happened quickly. For instance, when I joined the Christian Union for the Sunday service, I got the infilling of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. At first, I didn’t understand. However, the mature born-again students explained it to me. After times of teaching, I understood and really enjoyed my walk of faith.
My parents were very much against my new faith. But, even with so much opposition from my family, I persisted and thus far the Lord has brought me. God has laid out a phenomenal path for me, and I only thank him. After high school, I got so many challenges with colleges, but finally, I got through a Primary teachers training college and currently am a teacher.
Further Growth
Later, I joined the Full Gospel churches of Kenya where I started a children’s ministry. I taught children the Word of God. Then, I moved to the capital city of Nairobi where I currently live with my family. For many years now, I have fellowship in a local church by the name of Uzima Centre (translated Zoe….life of God). I also joined the children’s ministry there.
After some time, my pastor, who is also my mentor, introduced me to an organization that trains kingdom children’s workers or Sunday School teachers. They give us materials to use in teaching children. I became more effective as a children’s worker. Later, they trained me to be a trainer of Sunday School teachers. So, I do this with much satisfaction. We train children’s workers from different denominations.
Formal Bible Education at CLI
Because of this, I considered getting more knowledge of God and the Bible. I want to be an effective teacher concerning faith in God. That is when I found the Christian Leaders Institute. I have learned in the Connection Class that we minister out of our reality with God. My mentor also says you can’t take people where you have never been.
My spiritual dream is to know Christ more, be transformed into His image, and teach people everywhere about Christ. More specifically, to teach children about God. I also want to encourage kingdom children’s ministry workers to develop a relationship with God as we nurture generations for Him.
I wanted to get Bible training at a Bible College. However, it became difficult because of work and family. I thank God I was introduced to CLI. After checking their website and knowing more about them, I got an urgency to enroll to get a formal Bible education. Getting a scholarship with CLI will equip me for the ministry and help me to achieve my spiritual dream. May God bless CLI and all the sponsors!