My name is Sherri Tidwell, and the Christian Leaders Institute is giving me the continued education in ministry I need (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). Originally from Saginaw, Texas, I moved a lot throughout my childhood and adult life. I am presently living in Ruston, Louisiana. Currently, I serve as Children’s Minister at First Baptist in West Monroe, Louisiana, at the Calhoun Louisiana Campus. I have previously served in many ways and several churches with children, youth, and adults.
Rejection and Salvation
I was not raised in a Christian home. Upon completing my high school graduation, I married and had two amazing sons. I entered cosmetology school and now see God used that career to tear down walls and open doors. Soon followed my divorce. I was rejected, and the devastation led me to make some horrible choices. However, I soon met a wonderful man whom God used to water seeds that I did not even realize had been planted in my life. Over time, those seeds grew and changed me. I was 27 years old, having “never been enough,” rejected, and replaced by others. Now, I learned that GOD loved me, accepted me, and forgave me. I accepted God as Lord and Savior of my life, and nothing has been the same since!
However, life did not get easy following salvation. In 2012, after 20 years of marriage to my second husband, he committed adultery. It devasted me because I thought we had a strong family unit. We had been serving God as a family. My husband turned from God, rejected my two boys and me. Once again, I was rejected. This only epitomized it.
My Ministry Journey
During these various seasons, I have sat under some amazing preachers and teachers of the Word of God. They mentored, trained, and led me in my journey of becoming all God created me for. I read many books, took in-depth studies with small groups, attended conferences, and completed online classes. I sought every way to grow in my walk with God and what He has for me. While on this journey, I was strengthened, empowered, encouraged, and even tested enough to learn that GOD alone is enough!
Continued Education in Ministry at CLI
Now, as I continue to learn to fully rely on God, with grown kids and precious grandchildren, I find myself right where He wants me for this season. I am fully and completely committed to what God has called me to do. I have never been at such peace. Although it is “the windy path,” as Professor Henry Reyenga says, it the most amazing journey I have ever been on. Over the last year and a half, while serving as a children’s minister, I began seeking a way to really learn and grow in my ministry and achieve my spiritual dream.
Since graduating high school in 1986, I have taken many courses, classes, and certifications. Each one has helped to prepare me for the path that God has led me to.
Therefore, I am so excited about this new journey in continued education with the Christian Leaders Institute. I now have hope as an older, single female with limited income. I can continue to grow in the ministry God has given me. There is no doubt in my mind that CLI is an answered prayer for my continued educational path. I am very blessed to have this ability to grow in ministry. Thank you, CLI!
My name is William Lehlohonolo Seitshiro, and I am at the Christian Leaders Institute to study the Bible more in-depth (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). I am 31 years old and married to Famour Seitshiro. A South African, I grew up in the province of Gauteng in a city called Pretoria, Mamelodi. I love the Lord with all my heart and believe in him so much that I feel nothing else makes sense outside of God.
I studied theology at the Global School of Theology, which is under Global University. Before that, I was studying tourism. But one day in class, the Holy Spirit called me to full-time ministry. God was straightforward with me and told me what he expects me to do. I am to be full-time in ministry and serving Him. Therefore, I should not worry about finances because they will come from him.
Early Life and Conversion
I was always a quiet kid. Often, I was in the house playing on the computer. I had no purpose and no vision. Really, I didn’t see any reason to make plans because I was a normal kid.
One thing that was dramatic in my life and very hard to let go of was my mother’s passing in 1996. After that, I was in a time loop. The fact that I felt rejected by my father made things more difficult.
I was born again in December 2015. That’s when I started feeling accepted and no longer a boy who came from a place of rejection. When I received Christ, it meant that I am accepted and loved. Since then, I have been preaching to people that they are accepted in Christ.
Calling to Ministry
When I received salvation, I felt the call of the Lord in my life. But in 2011, when at school, I vividly saw three angels walk into my classroom while I was learning at school. I felt what the Holy Spirit told me to talk to my senior pastor and go to Bible School because they would stop sending pastors to Bible School.
When I spoke to my pastor that week, he immediately told me that I need to go to a theological seminary. He sent me there, paid all my fees, and gave me pocket money. Then, we found out that I was the last student that they were sending to Bible School. That confirmed the fact that God called me into the ministry.
Ministry Training and Study the Bible More In-Depth at CLI
When I went to Bible School, I discovered that I didn’t know most of the Bible as other students did. I only knew certain parts of the New Testament, which appealed to me. So as I was studying and didn’t know most of the Bible, I focused more on the history and whole truth of the Bible.
I am at the Christian Leaders Institute because I want to further my knowledge and study the Bible more. I want to study so that I am equipped to tackle issues that pastors are afraid of and bring people to the understanding that they are accepted in Jesus.
Ministry Journey
My ministry journey has been challenging, and it has been challenged throughout the years. But, when I started in Sunday school ministry or children’s ministry, the only thing that kept me going was the joy of serving because I had the freedom to serve as I could.
As time went by, I grew into youth ministry, young adult ministry, and church ministry. My passion and zeal grow by the moment. When I started my internship, I was given the impression that I would be given a chance to lead in time. Yet when the time came for the pastor to pass on the church, he decided that he didn’t want to, and if the district tried to give it to me, he would split the church. So, because I love the Lord and fear God, I decided to step back and started a church with my wife.
Personal Life
In my personal life, I continue to see God moving specially. In my marriage, the presence of God is heavy to the point that when I look at my wife, I remember where God took me from and what He’s blessed me with. That testimony reminds me that there is nothing that can separate me from the love of God.
I continue to research, study, and preach the gospel so that people may come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
My name is Stephanie Amadeo, and I am studying the Bible at the Christian Leaders Institute, a Bible college online (Learn more about online Bible courses, Click Here). I am 32 years old and live in Ogden, Utah. There are no restrictions on Christians in Utah. However, it is largely an LDS community, so few people I can share my faith with.
My Early Years
I grew up in a Seventh-Day Adventist church. My parents were not religious, but my grandmother took me each week. I went to the church’s private school for 2 years and was involved in all their activities. However, I was a non-believer. I was very skeptical of their teachings and had serious doubts about my beliefs. When I was about 12 years old, I asked the youth pastor about my doubt and what it meant. He responded that I just had to have faith. However, I did not know how to “just have faith,” so I decided none of it was real and quit going to church.
When I was 22 years old, my mother committed suicide. She was an alcoholic and drug user. I had been a heavy drinker for a few years, and my mother’s death was a real wake-up call. I saw myself going down the same path and thought, “If I keep up this lifestyle, that’s going to be me one day.” I wanted something better for myself. So, I quit drinking and enrolled in college. I told myself, “If there’s something better out there, I’m going to find it.”
Finding God and My Calling
Two years later, I dated a religious guy. I asked him one question about his religion. As he gave me an explanation, God’s presence fell on me for the first time in my life. I was hooked! Then, I started going to church with him, studying the Bible, praying every day, attending Bible studies, and anything else I could do to learn more about God. I could not get enough of Him.
My desire is to be close to God and help people interested in God develop their own relationship with Him. I have a few family members and friends interested in God but not going to church every week. When they have issues or questions, they ask me to pray about it and get their answer for them. I do not mind doing it. It is a lot of fun, but I want them to learn the voice of God and grow closer to Him.
I believe that God wants me to start a church. A different kind of church with a more hands-on and interactive learning environment based on a relationship with God and listening for His voice. If everyone can hear God for themselves, they will have everything they need to live a productive life and spread the gospel more efficiently.
Challenges and Growth
Religion caused a lot of obstacles for me in my walk with God. Listening to the preaching and trying to make sense of the Bible caused frustration to well up inside. It was not until I firmly established a connection with God that it made any sense.
I went to a Pentecostal church that put great emphasis on the ability to speak in tongues. But, no matter how hard I prayed, I could not do it. It made me feel like God did not love me, or I was not good enough to receive the gift of tongues like everyone else. They said that I did not have the Holy Ghost if I could not pray in tongues. So, I was terrified that if I died before I got it, I would spend eternity separated from the One I loved. While praying about this fear one day, God told me that love would keep us together. That is when I realized that religion without a strong relationship could be dangerous.
Before I knew God, I had anxiety so badly that my hands shook constantly. People frequently asked me if I had Parkinson’s disease. It was embarrassing and uncomfortable to live in a constant state of fear for no reason. After I learned how to pray and connect with God, the shaking, anxiety, and depression stopped. I felt free, strong, and happy for the first time in my life. God has saved my life in so many ways.
Prayer
God became real to me when I prayed without feeling like I was talking to the wall. I felt His presence fall on me and heard Him speaking to my soul. When I prayed about issues I was having, I could see everything falling into place around me.
Then, I met someone that explained a deep connection and real relationship with God. I was intrigued. I had never heard of anything like it before. So, I started praying and searching for the things that were possible. I found it all and so much more. For me, it was and always will be prayer that connects me to God like nothing else. It is how I learned His heart and His desires for my life. It is also how I learned what He sees in me and what He wants for me.
Study at CLI: A Bible College Online
I hope to use my Christian Leaders Institute training to start a different kind of church. One that focuses more on a relationship and less on religion. I have some experience in ministry. I have taught classes and Bible studies, but nothing close to running a church. It is terrifying, and I do not feel qualified to do it. Christian Leaders Institute, a Bible college online, will provide me with the tools and knowledge I need to lead people to God.
Before I knew God, I got my degree in Criminal Justice. I wanted to help people and make a difference in my community. Unfortunately, it did not work out the way that I had hoped, and now I am drowning in student loan debt. Now that I know my passion and purpose, I have wanted to go to Bible college for some time. However, I cannot take on more debt to do it.
When I found Christian Leaders Institute, a Bible college online, I hesitated to start. Honestly, it sounded too good to be true. But, God kept bringing it up and pushing me to start classes. Finally, I had an email from CLI pop up on my phone right after asking God what my next step was. CLI, you are the answer to my prayers, and I am so grateful for this opportunity! Thank you, CLI!