My name is Alexander Uriel Duodu, and I am impressed with the quality ministry courses offered at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). Born on the 23rd of March 1992, in Kumasi, a city in Ghana, I am the firstborn of four children. I grew up in a Christian family, but I was only religious. My family and I went to church services, but I went without knowing the Lord personally. I did not have godly friends who could influence me positively. In the evenings, my mother made me read the Bible to her. However, my life was affected by my ungodly friends as I was spending most of my time with them.
My Spiritual Journey Begins
In 2011, I was born again and baptized on the 20th of November 2011 when I entered the University. I changed all my ungodly friends. I stopped living the ungodly way. At University, God connected me to spiritual brothers and sisters who loved the Lord. I bought my first study Bible and joined these brothers and sisters in prayer meetings. My new friends read spiritual books written by anointed ministers and also watched preaching videos. So, I picked up that godly habit and started experiencing God in a special way.
In 2012, I followed those friends to evangelism in the mornings. We woke up very early and prayed till it was 6 am. Then, we moved to the hostels to preach before we prepared for lectures. In 2013, I was part of the University Christian Fellowship (UCF) and was elected as the Evangelism Secretary and Bible Teacher in my hall (Commonwealth Hall). That same year, I received a vision from the Lord to a call to ministry.
Further Growth
During a long vacation, I stayed with some of my new spiritual friends for a Bible Conference. I was so affected by this Bible conference. When I went home, I spent the rest of my vacation reading the Bible. For the first time, I read through Genesis to Revelation. Since then, I enjoy reading the Bible, and God in diverse ways does communicate with me especially during my time with the Word.
In 2014, the Commonwealth Hall elected me as the UCF President. Winning souls for the Lord always brings satisfaction and joy to me. In 2015, after my university education, I went home. Good Shepherd Assembly of God appointed me as a Bible Teacher. That same year, I did my national service at a town called Ejura in the Ashanti region in Ghana. I joined the Lighthouse Chapel during my national service and became an active member in the prayer ministry. In 2016, I told Bishop David Ashong who is the shepherd of that church about my call and he recommended me to the Anagkazo Bible Ministry & Training Centre (ABMTC). In 2017, I was elected as the PRO of the Spiritual Revolutionary Council which represents the student body in Anagkazo Bible Ministry & Training Centre (ABMTC).
My Life and Ministry
In 2018, I married Animuonyam Nana Yaa Duodu, one of my spiritual friends from my university days. She has been a blessing to my life. She actually taught me how to fast when we were on campus and other spiritual virtues. In 2019, I graduated successfully with a diploma in ministry from ABMTC and was also appointed as a Pastor. I was the second-best student by the grace of God. In April 2020, God blessed us with a wonderful daughter named Anna Dunamis Kim Duodu. In September 2020, I planted a church, Cathedral Of Glory, Ghana. Currently, I pastor the church in Kumasi, Ghana. My greatest desire is to know God and to be faithful to Him forever.
Finding Quality Ministry Courses at CLI
One day, I went through the Christian Leaders Institute webpage. I was astonished to discover that an institution could offer such quality ministry courses online that are free and also be a blessing to the less privileged countries. Anyone can pursue certificates, diplomas, and degrees at CLI/CLI. This is a great seed being sown for the Kingdom Of God in these last days. It is my prayer that the Lord will raise more Kingdom-minded ministers to support this great vision. Many have aborted their call because of a lack of opportunity to be enrolled in an institution like CLI.
From Idolatry to Irresistible Grace
My name is Todd Terpstra, and I am thankful for the opportunity to study online for free at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I am a 57-year-old father of 5 wonderful children. My home was in Chicago, IL, USA. Married for 33 years, my wife and I separated recently.
I grew up in Reformed church circles and was exposed to the gospel from infancy. I became aware of the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart around the age of 12. Convinced of the saving grace of God through Christ Jesus, I have been richly blessed with the gospel life since.
Struggles
Like the Israelites of the Bible, we accumulate idols over the years. However, we are much better at hiding them because these idols are of the heart. Such was the case with me. As a selfish person leaning toward the worship of myself, I fall into what the world calls depression, but it really is self-pity. My worship became so self-centered that my own needs, wants, and desires became most important. Most recently, my health spiraled downward with several surgeries as treatments for old injuries were ineffective. My marriage and family life fell apart. In self-pity, I withdrew from all responsibilities, and in frustration, became irritable and angry to the point of name-calling those I loved the most.
Instead of turning to my heavenly Father for help and seeking His Word for a light on my path, I turned away from Him. I did not seek God’s grace through the worship of God at church. I stayed home and worshiped myself and all those idols of the heart that I accumulated over the years. Instead of taking counsel with those God sent to rebuke and encourage, I dismissed them and their counsel.
Restored
After about a year of this bad behavior, my family asked if I would enter a program for help. I said yes. Or, rather, the Holy Spirit, who I could not quench, said yes.
A year ago, I entered the Gateway program in Holland, MI, and recently graduated. One by one, those idols of the heart were smashed with help from staff. New idols were quickly broken down. With help, I returned to active Christ-like service in the community. God restored hope and a close walk with my Savior. A new humility took root. A new and stronger trust in God’s plan has taken hold of my heart. The Holy Spirit once again has fertile ground in my heart in which to do wonderful work. How gracious is our God! His restorative work is powerful! How healing is His forgiveness! His grace is irresistible!
Doors opened for me to continue in a transitional program offered by Gateway. With my disabilities, I have part-time work and an opportunity to study further with Gateway. The Holy Spirit pressed on my heart ministry with the homeless and downtrodden in society. He has called me to help with my God-given gifts and qualities.
Study at CLI
The opportunity to study with both the Christian Leaders Institute and Gateway for mentoring, accountability and encouragement is a huge blessing! I now have new goals to reach certification in life coaching, perhaps even a degree. I find that the generosity of others in offering free schooling is enormously helpful. My own situation is very tenuous, and I trust God will use this opportunity to equip me and bless others! Thank you so much, CLI and Gateway, for being such a blessing to students such as myself.
I hope you may find some encouragement in my story. I pray for you right now that the Lord uses CLI to work mighty works in your life so that God may better equip you to do the work of His Kingdom! God bless you all and all glory to the triune God!
My name is Dallas Hillin. I grew up and still live in Henderson, TX. I’ve been married to my husband, James, and together we have five beautiful children. I’m a stay-at-home mom with huge aspirations to make a great change in my community. With their scholarship for free learning online, the Christian Leaders Institute is a blessing for me (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here).
My Youth and Challenges
I grew up in the Catholic church. On my father’s side, my grandmother always took us to church every Sunday morning for classes and mass. As a child, I enjoyed the classes. I was so excited when I got a reward for answering questions and participating. However, once my parents divorced, I lived with my mother. The weekly routine of the church was gone. Life with my mom was somewhat Godless as she struggled with her own demons. It left me with unanswered questions. Soon the curiosity went away.
Finding Jesus
It stayed like this throughout my childhood and into my young adult years. The demons my mom faced when I was a child crept onto me. I found myself struggling with depression, anxiety, and addiction. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I found my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The moment I accepted God into my life, I found the love and peace I was always searching for. Most of all, I found the forgiveness I’d been craving for all my sins.
Learning at CLI
My spiritual goal is to help others who are in the same situation I was in. I want to be able to lead them to the path of Christ. I want to share the great joys and amazing miracles Jesus can make happen in their lives with them.
Christian Leaders Institute is a blessing. I’ve been looking at different schools and wondering how we could ever afford for me to go back to school. With five kids, any extra money quickly disappears. Once I found CLI, I was in disbelief that it was completely free. God answered my prayers! With their scholarship for free learning, CLI made it possible to further my knowledge and start building the bridge to my goals.