My name is Joseph Scott Parker, and I am grateful for the free professional ministry training at CLI. I am originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and today, I live in a small eastern town in Tennessee.
I completed my GED in 1977, the same year I would have graduated High School had I not dropped out to enter the US Army in 1976. After my tour of duty, I applied and was accepted to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. My major was in business administration and general management. Unfortunately, I discovered I was not ready (mature enough) to be a full-time student, so I returned to military service in the US Navy.
My Early Years
My father was an attorney, and my mother, a registered medical secretary. At one time, my father taught high school English, so education was stressed. My parents both hoped I would be a “professional,” Father wanted me to be an attorney like him. Mother wanted me to be a doctor. I have always had an interest in law, so that seemed to be more likely. However, I was a disinterested student.
When I was in Elementary School, my parents hired a tutor for me because I struggled in math, and probably all of my classes. That tutor was a Christian. He led me to Christ via the “Romans Road.” That summer of 1969, I gave my life to Jesus.
My parents divorced when I was ten years old but then remarried “for the kid” the following year. They divorced for the last time the next year, for “irreconcilable differences.” Due to the stresses of home life, that was the right decision for them.
Interest in Ministry
I have had an interest in ministry for many years, but this became a desire to fulfill over the last ten years. I have been all over the place spiritually, but I always come back to the Bible and Jesus.
During a time in Bible study, I suddenly realized, I doubted. I doubted Christianity as a whole; Jesus, God, just everything about it. And when that realization hit me, I started weeping. That was the Holy Spirit telling me that my doubts were valid, but the answers were in the Bible I was studying. That was the beginning of a lifelong study of the Bible, which eventually led me to the Christian Leaders Institute for some structure.
Heart Attack and Changes
In September of 2014, I had a heart attack that was so mild in action that I didn’t feel pain or anything that I had associated with a heart attack. I went to the local hospital; from there, I was taken by ambulance to their main hospital in downtown Chattanooga. Forty-five minutes later, I was in surgery. In the ambulance, I said a short prayer. “Lord, I trust you to see me through this if that is Your will. But in all things, Your will be done. Amen.”
As I said earlier, I received a basic understanding from a friend that was tutoring me. I knew God from that. However, I lived like ‘hell’ during my military days from 4/’76 to 10/’84. I’m not proud of that, but I have to be honest about my past being rough. The good thing is that I settled down, returned to college for training in computer maintenance, and almost completed the course. The heart attack knocked me out of that. But something HAD to change in my life. I knew where to find it with Christ and in the Bible.
Professional Ministry Training at CLI
I have studied the Bible for years. I am 62 now. What I am going to do in the future is in God’s hands. But I have my ministry: BOLD Faith Ministry, based on 2 Timothy 1:7. I hope to begin a home-based Bible study and possibly a web-based ministry, which may lead to a church-like setting. Currently, I hand out “GOT GOD?” business cards. On the back, it reads: “I AM,”; Watching, Listening, Waiting, HERE. Then I also include contact information. I don’t know if it has touched anyone yet, but I have been thanked many times. Alas, no one has, however, contacted me for prayer.
I live on Social Security Disability Income because I am a heart patient. My heart is inoperable, according to my original cardiologist, and I have diabetes. So, after paying rent, utilities, food, internet/cell phone, and medical bills my insurance doesn’t cover, I have a precious little leftover. Going from a sinner to a minister is only through God. Finding a way to accomplish guided and professional ministry training for free at CLI was God sent.
God Bless Christian Leaders Institute!
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Hello! My name is Phyllis Wong. Born in Tampa, Florida, to the late Preston Wong and Angela Wong-McKinnes, I completed my public school education graduating from Blanche Armwood High School in June 2009. Currently, I am a student taking free courses at Christian Leaders Institute. I am the mother of one daughter.
Baptized at a very young age at New Testament Worship Center, my home church in Tampa, it was shortly after the passing of my father in December 1999. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life and have been on fire for the Lord ever since. I proudly serve as the Director of Music and Worship at Gideon’s Army Ministries Church of The Living God – Jewel Dominion, where Elder Cortez J. Williams is my Pastor.
Music Ministry
I have always had a passion for music and was singing before I could speak at the tender age of three. Although I have been singing for 26 years, I have used my gift of singing in ministry for 18 years. I have been a part of local and national award-winning ministries, shaping and assisting with my gift of singing to advance the kingdom of God. In June 2012, I stepped out in faith and started singing solo, and on October 12th, 2012, Phyllis Wong Ministries was born. Since then, I have traveled across the United States of America. I ministered in song in several states such as California, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama, and Pennsylvania.
Gospel Ministry and Free Courses for Ministry at CLI
In 2018, I said “Yes” and did my first initial sermon at Crossover Empowerment Kingdom Ministries. After that experience, I wanted to get to know God on a more profound and intimate level. After attending Gospel Ministry Training at the local assembly, I wanted more. I am pursuing these free courses at the Christian Leaders Institute not just to get a better understanding of God, but to be all that God has called me to be.
I desire to take my ministry to the nations. God gave me a gift of ministry through song. With it, I can embrace the brokenhearted and uplift and inspire the next generation of worshipers. I want to be a contagious light bringing life and hope to all people everywhere.
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 Heather Boonstra, and I am excited about the free ministry education at CLI. I am a single mother from Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a Christian home with two saved parents and one younger sister, most people would say that my life was relatively normal.
Every Sunday, my parents would take us to church. As we got older, we participated in the Jr. High and Youth programs that our local church offered. So there, we grew in our knowledge of Jesus, and the classic Bible stories that most kids learn.
When I was around 13 years old, I received baptism. That’s when my story began. The Christian life was beautiful to me. At a young age, I sought to be a godly person and do unto others as I would have them do to me. I stuck up for the “nerds” in school and befriended everyone. I even had the opportunity to lead a few people to Jesus in high school!
Growth in the Lord
The summer after graduation, I went to Lakeshore Pentecostal Camp, where I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the gift of tongues. It was quite as the disciples felt in Acts. I wanted more of God. I cried out for Him to use me and take me where He alone could. This event is when I grew in my relationship with God. I was different, and I craved more and more of Him.
In 2006, I took a year of college. During that year, I met a friend who took me to a wonderful church in Pickering, Ontario, called Church Without Limits (CWL). There I grew in passion for the Lord. My spirit stirred for the incredible things that God could do in my life and those around me. God used this time to speak to me and help me grow even more rooted in wisdom.
Challenges
In 2006, I also met my son’s father, and after six months of dating, we got pregnant. In 2007, I got married for the first time, followed by the birth of our son in 2008. After almost seven years, my husband and I separated and divorced in 2013.
Following the divorce, I lived what I would call a “lukewarm” faith life. I went to church periodically and prayed when I needed God’s help. I had no idea how I could come back to God after going through something so sinful and shameful.
After a few years, I decided to go back to church. Life without God was futile and stagnant. Once you get a taste of life with God, you can’t live without Him.
Back to God
Thanks to God that he never gave up pursuing me and inviting me into His grace. I worked through guilt and shame in these years. I struggled in my heart but finally gave up the fight. The Holy Spirit took control, healing, and changing me from the inside out. During this time, I attended church faithfully and spent more and more time with Jesus. I met up with mentors and dug deep into God. I learned so much about grace, forgiveness, and the power of God. Finally, I fell in love with Him all over again.
Youth Ministry
In 2018, I felt a stirring in my heart for worship and the youth. I began to desire to see people in love with Jesus and an active relationship with Him. Dreaming of people praising God, I saw myself playing keyboard and singing. It wasn’t too long after that that the worship leader from my church asked if I wanted to sing in the band on Sunday mornings. I was very insecure and unsure of myself and the calling on my life. However, I dove in anyway. I figured that if God was calling me, His will was all that mattered. To this day, I enjoy participating in worship leadership most Sunday mornings at my church.
Later that year, I was hanging out with God in the youth room of my church. I sat down, feeling an overwhelming sense of urgency to influence the youth. There was an excitement stirring in my spirit to connect and mentor the youth. So right then and there, I expressed my desire to be in that room with them on youth nights. I asked God to give me access to them if it was His will.
I remember looking around the room with tears in my eyes, barely getting “I want to be here, God” through my lips. Then, a wave of joy poured over me as if God said, “I hear you.” He was waiting for me to ask because the next day, I received a call from the Youth Pastor, asking me if I wanted to get involved with the youth as a volunteer. I am still blown away by the way God has worked in my life. He shows no favorites! I love His grace and how He takes the least likely of people and uses them.
Called to the Ministry
Without the Lord’s hand on my life, I would not be where I am or who I am. I am so thankful that He sees me so much better than I see myself. He takes us as we are – baggage and all – heals us, and catapults us into a crazy wild ride. Thank you, Lord!
In the past year or so, I the Lord’s been leading in my life to be in ministry. I pondered other options for career paths, but the ministry was always a passion of mine. It’s the most obvious choice for me and those around me. When I used to pray about my future, it was a question mark. With my son living with me and working to sustain my rent, etc., I didn’t know how I could move forward on the path God was leading to follow.
Free Ministry Education at CLI
Through the Christian Leaders Institute, I hope to become more equipped to teach and answer the hard questions that my son, the youth, and others in my life ask. To grow in my walk with God through these courses so I can influence those around me is my desire.
Therefore, being enrolled in the free ministry education at CLI is a testimony of my “yes” to God’s calling on my life. I can’t wait to see what He does with it!
Please pray that God’s will and plan for my life will be the desire of my heart, as I seek Him first!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story!
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.