Greetings in the name of the Lord! My name is Anggiat Mangapul Malau, and I am blessed with the Christian ministry study program at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here). I am from Indonesia, 51 years old, married to a devoted Christian wife, Lisbet Kristina Hutagalung. In my family, we have a daughter, Naomi, and two sons, Timothy and Yakhin.
My Childhood
From my childhood, I grew up in a Christian family. My father was a deacon in our local church, and my mother has been an active church member. As a child, I was also an active Sunday school member in my church. I was always involved in church activities, such as children’s choir or vocal group and Sunday school. My favorite church activity was to ring the church bell every Sunday at 6.00 am.
However, all of this activity did not automatically help me grow in the knowledge of the Gospel and Christ. It also did not give me an intimate relationship with the Lord. In fact, for me, church-going was more like a tradition. It was simply a religion. However, the seed of getting to know the Lord was planted in my heart.
Saved by God’s Grace
In the early ’90s, at a college Bible study, the leader discussed being a true believer in Christ. Going through the Biblical discussions, praying, and questions exchange, I realized how sinful my life was. I was unworthy even to be called God’s child. At this time, I understood the price Christ paid on the cross for my sin and salvation.
Since that time, I repented of my sin and knew that Jesus loves me unconditionally. I committed to following Jesus as my Savior and Master. Therefore, me serving in the campus fellowship, my local church, and eventually in my professional work field was for the Glorious God! I even dreamed of studying theology and, God willing, to become a pastor one day.
My Professional Work
From late 1996 until the Covid-19 pandemic, I worked as a crew on a cruise ship sailing worldwide. During this period of time, I was involved in the ministry on-board for fellow crewmembers. Usually, I took my turn in leading Indonesian Christian fellowship, and once in a while, I also attended the International group. Christian Seaman Mission from shore-side also supported our fellowship. Further, the Alaska Seaman Mission is the one that constantly supported us by providing Christian literature, movies, etc. When I first visited Alaska in the summer of 1997, I met missionaries there. Since then, I knew there is a Mission to seafarers. They were able to help with so many things in our fellowship, however, not with ministry and teaching.
Opportunity for Christian Ministry Study at CLI
During this difficult pandemic time, God gave me an opportunity for a Christian ministry study while being home at this period of time. I thank God for directing me to the generous Christian Leaders Institute website. CLI really gives me new hope that I can take the courses for free. These courses are essential to me. I definitely need them for whichever pathway the Lord will lead me.
If the cruise ship opens again, I long to minister better for the crew fellowship. By taking these courses, I will be more prepared to lead the fellowship group with sound teaching. On-board the cruise ship, we do not have any ordained Christian minister anymore. So we had to handle the service ourselves despite limited skill and knowledge.
If I work and adapt to a new normal life on land, I can be more useful in my local church and community ministry with the CLI training. Additionally, during this open Internet era, Apologetics has become more openly discussed online by many religious groups, including the Muslims. The more I know about the Bible and Christian ministry, the better I can share the Gospel of Jesus. Wherever else our Lord directs, may I boldly say, “Here am I; send me”(Isa 6:8). It is my prayer.
The CLI courses reignited my long-abandoned dream to study God’s word and Christ’s ministry formally. I hope to succeed with the support and prayer of CLI, my family, parents, and Christian friends. I know I am weak and with so many limitations, language and cultural barriers, and many other things, yet I know our Lord is a living God. Though I am weak, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 4:13). Soli Deo Gloria!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
I am Pearlie W. Williams from Kissimmee, Florida, and I am excited about and thankful for the free Chaplain training opportunity at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here).
My Young Life
I was born in Arkansas. My father was a Baptist deacon, so my story starts there. At the age of 6, I dreamed of becoming a Medical Doctor. I was taught scripture, to pray and seek God’s will for my life. By the time I was 11, I had a deep love for God and prayed. Every night I prayed Matthew 6:9-13 and Psalm 23.
Sadly, I experienced a lot of racism. But I was taught to judge a person by their character, not their race. I experienced many difficulties living on a farm and had to endure hardships at school. We had no older brother, so my sister and I were expected to chop cotton, pick cotton (even in freezing weather), and cut wood with an ax or saw to help my father. Many other things made life hard for us.
God’s Loving Kindness
I reached for something better continually through my belief and trust in Jesus. God gave me the strength to survive. Every year there were new challenges. However, the Lord never left or forsook me, even if I did not always feel his presence. My father died when I was 13 or 14, but my heavenly Father kept drawing me to Him. I continued to go to church but not as often with no one to bring me there.
At the age of 18, I finished high school. However, my dream of becoming a physician was gone. There was no money for college and no place to live, although my mother did her best. I still prayed every night but got caught up in the world, which almost took my life. Then, I became ill, was bedridden, and then wheelchair-bound for years but still trusting God to help me. I was his daughter that needed his help. Finally, I got the courage to fight back and walked away from all that pulled me away from God. I had no place to live of my own and needed an aide to walk, and always in pain.
My Encounter with the Lord
I continued to pray every night and was willing to do and go wherever God sent me. I was still going to church some. However, one night a preacher name Jones and my older sister asked me if I wanted to go to a revival. I immediately said, yes. That night I had an encounter with the Lord. He filled me with the Holy Spirit, and I was changed forever. Did I have more trials and disappointments? Yes, but now I knew God.
Disappointments
I met some false Christians and more biased people, and I walked away from the church for three years. I felt I had failed the Lord, but I kept praying. Sadly, I lost my mother-in-law, who was so close to me. On the day of her burial, I had another encounter with the Lord. He comforted me in my loss. In the middle of my grief, I gave my life back to God.
My Calling
I prayed for God’s guidance, studied scripture, and kept my thoughts on the Lord. My love increased for the lost. I often fasted. While participating in a monthly prayer meeting, my time to fill in the gap was Wednesday morning. I had another encounter with Christ. On a Wednesday morning during prayer in 1983, the Lord called me. He instructed me to keep praying and studying the Gospel.
Education
In 1995, I finished college and became an RN. I had a supportive husband and three beautiful children. Later, we moved from Arkansas to Kissimmee, Florida. It was a call to serve. I know I need more education because I want to become the best I could be for the Lord. I went to Faith Christian University for three years. There I received an advanced degree in theology and a Bachelor’s degree in Ministry.
Free Chaplain Training Opportunity at CLI
I wanted further formal education but did not have the money. I was a full-time pastor. With the help of God and my husband, I pioneered the House of Prayer Ministries, Inc. Then, I also got the commission from our former pastor McCool for the ministry.
Finally, I gave up full-time nursing because I was tired and needed to spend more time with God. I was praying for a door to open so I could help my community after COVID. I volunteered for the Red Cross and wanted more education. So, I looked and prayed for classes for Chaplain training and found the Christian Leaders Institute. I was surprised and thankful the classes were free. I praise the Lord for this Chaplain training opportunity.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
This Ministry Award graduate believes in home discipleship and women’s ministry. She is applying her Christian Leaders Institute education to her community, church, and family. Here is her story.
My Mess; God’s Masterpiece
My name is Heather, and God is calling me to home discipleship and women’s ministry. Born in 1982, I was raised by my parents in a small country town in New Jersey, USA. Now, I live in Middleburg, FL. I have only one sister, and we are not super close, but God is working on that. We were raised Catholic, and while I felt a certain peace at church and out in nature, I did not have a relationship with God until later on in my adult life. My mom strongly believed in God, but my father strongly questioned.
First Step with God
As I went off to college to study psychology, I was not concerned with God. I never thought to ask him what his plan for my life was, and I started to make some bad decisions.
However, these bad decisions brought me to my knees one dark and lonely night in my living room. As I begged for forgiveness from a God I was not sure I believed in, I heard him speak to me, saying, “Heather, I have already forgiven you. You must forgive yourself.” As I type this, the magnitude of what God said to me hits me harder now as I truly understand what God meant by that.
After that, my life started to change. I went back to church and started to get to know God. But I still did not fully understand and had not given my life to Jesus.
Further Growth
At this point, I had moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where my spiritual life began to blossom. I met many believers. I started reading the word and writing in a prayer journal. Life threw more challenges my way, but God renewed my heart and mind, and I overcame them. I met my husband, gave my life to Christ, and then the enemy really attacked and continues to do so. But God is so good, and every attack is a lesson learned. Every day he renews me and strengthens me.
Home Discipleship and Women’s Ministry
Currently, I am a homeschool mom of three beautiful blessings. I take my role as their spiritual advisor very seriously. My first ministry dream is to pour into my children. I pray they have a lifelong relationship with Christ and that he is their guide in all they do. I pray they then turn around and pour that love into others.
My other ministry dream is to help women understand abortion awareness, prevention, and healing. I want to build up the women of this country to stand firm in who they are in Christ. I would love to take over the pro-choice slogan and relate it to women’s choices before getting pregnant. Pregnancy is a consequence of an action. As someone who has been down this road, I would love to share Christ with other women. I want them to know he does love them, they can heal, and they can let go of the past.
Home Discipleship and Women’s Ministry
This class at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about Studying the Bible, Click Here) has strengthened my walk with God in a few ways. First, it gives me more time with him. I have my Bible study time and class time. God has been revealing to me my heart, which allows me to make some big changes! It has gotten my husband back involved in our home discipleship time and convicted me. My walk with God needs to be a daily priority.
A small group leader is what I identify with. I am naturally a leader. Throughout my life, I have been captain of my teams, team mom for my son’s soccer team, and co-leader of a small group. Somehow I end up in a leadership role without even trying. Now, I am focusing on being a leader amongst the people in my world and being intentional about it.
God Working in My Life
God has done so many amazing things in my life. If I had to narrow it down to one, it would be when I went through counseling and abortion healing. It was at First Coast Women’s Services while I was pregnant with my second child. My mentor at the time and the entire experience was such a blessing. It showed me how others could be the hands and feet of God. I personally experienced God’s healing, and I want to share and help others like myself.
I started reading my Bible before I gave my life to Christ while my firstborn napped. At first, I had no idea what I was doing, but I just started reading. Amazingly, as I started to read the Bible, God started to reveal himself to me. I will never forget the first time I read God is love. Wow! That revelation opened my eyes wide. And from that moment on, I just wanted to know more.
Seven years later, the Bible still is so exciting to read! Reading the Bible has transformed my life. It has helped me to get to know God, to understand I am a sinner, to understand who Jesus is and what he did. It has helped me renew my mind, heal my heart, and give me faith in the Lord. I would not be where I am today if I never opened that book.
Support from Church and My Family
My local church has helped by providing opportunities to lead and be a part of small groups. It also provides some leadership training, support, and prayer.
My family’s role in ministry training is important. I pray to share what I learn with my family to minister and serve others individually and as a family.
Free ministry training at the Christian Leaders Institute is important to me for many reasons. I am passionate about sharing the Love of Jesus with others, but I want to be fully equipped and prepared. Having a biblically sound foundation helps me I know that what I am sharing is correct. I also want God to continue to mold me into who He has created me to be. Sharing God’s Word and my experiences, I want to have confidence when so his Glory can shine through me.
I would love prayer for my marriage and family life as I continue to study that we would strengthen as a Christian family. Please, pray for opportunities to share and minister, for wisdom and discernment. Also, pray for the women God wants to bring into my life, and that I would grow closer and stronger in Christ. Thank you!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.