My name is Karen Simms-Lawson, and I am excited to study for free at the Christian Leaders Institute. I am from the island of Jamaica. In December of 1996, I gave my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been walking with the Lord ever since.
My Testimony
One of the things that propelled me to the Lord was when I watched my aunt as she held my uncle-in-law in her arms. He had just taken his final breath as he lost his battle with cancer. I have never forgotten the feeling of helplessness that I had at that time. As I was not a Christian, I knew well enough that I did not have resurrection power. Broken and helpless at that time, I knew it. He was someone I could talk to about anything, and he would give fatherly, wise counsel.
Earlier that night, as I traveled home on the bus, I started sensing death. I instantly knew someone was dying. I could hardly wait for the bus to get to my stop. When the bus stopped, I ran for home as I had experienced that feeling before, and the inevitable had happened. I finally arrived at my gate, almost breathless from running and walking intermittently. My grandfather met me and told me that death was in the house. Immediately, I ran to my uncle’s room and saw my aunt holding him in her arms as she rocked and groaned. That night I knew I needed God.
Serving God and Study for Free at CLI
The day he was buried, I was baptized. Since then, I have not looked back. I minister to the adults and children at my workplace, church, and in my community. It is my joy to serve in song, prayer, and the Word of God. I also served as a Sunday school teacher and worship leader at the church I first attended. Now, I have joined a new congregation, and I am awaiting the go-ahead to serve as there. I love the Lord, and I desire to serve him with all of me.
Recently, I knew I needed ministry training, so I searched online. Then I found the Christian Leaders Institute. I am thankful for the opportunity to study for free and be equipped to serve!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My full name is Christopher William Fitzhugh, and I am receiving formal quality training for free at the Christian Leaders Institute. I was born in 1978 in northern California. Currently, I am residing and hosting a local house church and evangelical outreach with my wife and son in Jacksonville, Florida.
I came to believe in Christ at the young age of five through my faithful mother, Beverly. Growing up under her godly influence and spiritual care and also in a healthy local church engraved in me in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Bible. Even in my teen years, as I would often leave this path for lesser pleasures, like partying, sports addictions, and drugs, I never renounced this faith. However, my life testimony at this point was not a good one.
Renewed In Christ
At the age of 22, while living and traveling around California in a motorhome, with no direction, I heard the Lord speak to me for the first time. While cleaning a pool in an RV park for extra money, I asked the Lord if I was saved. He said, “Hebrews 11:1.” It was then that I felt the call to a real and deeper relationship with our Lord. Within the next three years, addictions and strongholds that remained from my past began to melt away through the counsel of our Holy Spirit.
A miracle happened in 2003 that I can’t explain, which delivered me from substance abuse. I went through a relationship loss. To drown out the pain, I began to drink as much alcohol as I could. However, no matter how much I drank, I remained sober. The words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2:3 burned into my mind; “I tried cheering myself with wine and embracing folly-my mind still guiding with wisdom.”
Formal Quality Training for Free at CLI
Soon after this, I met my God-fearing wife, Yana Fitzhugh, and together we began a new journey. It has been our ultimate desire to expand God’s kingdom and lead others into a deeper relationship with Christ. For this reason, the Christian Leaders Institute is essential for our local outreach project. Getting formal quality training for free through CLI will only increase the quality of God’s plan in us and His kingdom. 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.
My name is Eirin Cox, and I am continuing my education free at CLI. I am from San Antonio, Texas, USA, but currently live in Austin. Recently, I returned from Norway, where I took classes and staffed a Discipleship Training School with Youth With a Mission. Before that, I graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, and an emphasis on Youth Development. I have a heart for the youth/young adults and helping them see, plan for, and reach their potential.
My Start
I grew up in a Christian home but started making my faith my own in high school. My assurance took on a more profound role when I studied at the university and started doubting not only God’s character and my identity but also His existence at all. During that season, an unshakable foundation for my faith was built. God taught me more about how I hear His voice, vulnerability, the value of community, and the importance of choosing truth regardless of current circumstances. Here I fell in love with the Bible.
Continuing Education Free at CLI
In recent years, I’ve realized how much I love to learn and to study. God gifted me academically and placed this desire within me. I look forward to seeing more ways God will use it in the future. Last year, I was considering going back to school, but I didn’t have a specific direction I wanted to go with more studies. I knew I didn’t want to accumulate more and more student debt, but that didn’t quench my desire to learn.
Then a friend introduced me to the Christian Leaders Institute, and I thought this institute must be the solution I’ve been seeking. I can continue to learn with the accountability of structured classes. Furthermore, I can apply these things to the ministries I will be involved in and the people with whom I find myself in a relationship. Also, it will not break the bank to do it.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.