Hello! My name is George Alvarado, and I am studying at CLI for the wedding officiant license. Originally from Chicago, IL, I am an American with Puerto Rican descent. I grew up in a middle-class home with parents that worked hard to give me a better life than they had. My desire to do the best I can stems from my upbringing. However, I didn’t grow up in a Christian home. So spiritually, I was not privileged to hear the gospel.
Growing Up
My childhood was not without its sinful behaviors. I had great parents, but I was a struggling kid. Aside from the usual lousy attitude and disobedience, when I began to reach my teen years, I was arrested twice. It was primarily my mouth that got me in trouble. My dad handled the situation the best way he could to keep me from further trouble. But, he also had to stay on top of me until I graduated and joined the Air Force.
Nevertheless, it was in High School that I first heard the gospel. It was at the funeral of a kid who died in a tragic accident. Although that day, when during the service, I falsely repented, it was still the beginning of what was to come in the future for my life in Christ.
Joining the Military
By the time I joined the Air Force, I was doing my own thing. I hypocritically called myself a Christian, although it was easy to tell that I was not. About a year before my conversion on January 11, 2004, God began to convict me for my sins. Every day when I woke up, the first thought on my mind was, “If you die today, you are going to hell.” I knew this was true of me. But, of course, sin finds a way to justify itself, and I eventually just went about my day.
Conversion
Right before I received orders to travel to England, I got to the point where I could not handle it any longer. I called my then fiancé and told her I could not continue to live the way I was. I let her know that I was going to church and wanted her to join me. She did, but she wasn’t all that thrilled about it.
Then, on January 4, 2004, after the preacher finished preaching, I began to weep and sob concerning my sin. My only thought the whole time God was regenerating me was, “How could you forgive me after all I’ve done? Even calling myself a Christian hypocritically. How could you forgive me?” That is the question I asked myself for about a half-hour while I was pouring out my heart in repentance to God. However, at the finish, I was refreshed and born again! Never to look or go back to my lifestyle of sin.
England
My call to preach was self-evident. Immediately, I shared the gospel with family and friends. When I arrived in England, I shared the gospel and witnessed in the streets for about six and a half years. It was when I first open-air preached in Cambridge, England, that I realized I was called to the ministry. And my time in those streets was foundational in the years to come.
During my time in England, I also had many struggles with some pastors who didn’t find evangelism appealing. But despite those conflicts, my theology and my experience grew. I matured as I continued to remain faithful despite opposition in and out of the churches.
Nevertheless, I was able to serve as a Sunday school teacher, a military prison Bible study leader, an evangelism team and adult Bible study leader, and an aid to pastors with preaching on Sunday. I had many opportunities to serve through the Air Force that led to more preaching of the gospel.
United States
Whether on vacation or when stationed in the USA, I preached in and out of the church as well. I have preached in various cities and led evangelism teams. Currently, I enjoy teaching Bible studies at my local church. Furthermore, I write blog articles, record podcasts dealing with a wide range of topics, and participate in apologetics and debates.
Wedding Officiant License Study at CLI
In my ministry, I have been giving formal marriage counseling to couples. It has been a blessing to sit down with couples who desire to honor God in their upcoming marriage. With the counseling, often the pair would like me to officiate their ceremony. The state I live in requires certification to do that. The Wedding Officiant license offered at the Christian Leaders Institute is going to provide an excellent opportunity to fulfill that role for these couples, and the ones to come.
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
My name is Toni Corbiere from Nevada in the USA. My calling is chaplaincy, and here is my journey to chaplaincy. I received my calling in late 2018. At the time, I came face to face with my sin of adultery and a domestic violence situation that involved my son and me. Falling to my knees, crying out to God, asking for forgiveness and guidance, I knew my path needed to change. Following whatever God placed before me was my desire. I was tired of hiding lies, carrying guilt and shame, and feeling unworthy.
When I talked to God in prayer, I heard the word chaplaincy. I began counseling sessions to heal my mind and understand the whys behind my behavior. Blessed with a counselor who grew up in the church, we spoke of scripture and looked to the Bible during our discussions. I shared with my counselor the calling I was getting regarding chaplaincy. My counselor agreed, chaplaincy was a path for me. So, I began researching schools, thinking I would never be able to afford private Christian colleges. Then, I was led to the Christian Leaders Institute. I started my studies in October of 2018 on my journey to chaplaincy.
Ministry Service on My Journey to Chaplaincy
Currently, I am an Associate Chaplain/Pastor for a small church in my community. I love the close-knit relationship everyone has with the Pastor, who is my mentor. My mentor is not only the Senior Pastor but the State Chaplain for the Air National Guard. To be mentored by someone with extensive experience, training, and faith is a great blessing.
My challenge in ministry is understanding the word on a deeper level so I can preach and mentor others. Currently, I am an Associate Chaplain, and I am beginning to mentor others in the church and prison ministry (Crossroads). I want to feel more grounded with the word in guiding others and rely on the Holy Spirit to give me the words at the right time.
Leadership Course at CLI
The leadership class strengthens my ministry walk not only in the church but within my community. I enjoyed learning what it takes to change a culture. I worked in the corporate world of medicine for many years and saw “leaders” come and go. Now I understand we often did not have the right leaders in the right seats. It is easy for leaders to get lost in the organization and lose sight of the vision they had.
My ministry dreams for the future are to be a devoted, dependable, consistent Chaplain. Currently, I am not sure what type of chaplaincy to pursue, whether hospital, hospice, prison, EMS, etc. However, on this journey to chaplaincy, I know it is my calling. I love listening to people, praying for them and with them, and being a contact for those who are lost, hurt, anxious, etc. To talk things through with others, help them along their path, and watch them grow is my privilege. I also enjoy not talking and simply being present. Silence can be beautiful and the perfect gift at the perfect time. Feeling the Holy Spirit all around me is a fantastic gift.
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
Shalom to you all! My name is Judah Paul. I am excited about the opportunity for ministry study free at the Christian Leaders Institute. I live in Harare, Zimbabwe, which is in the southern part of Africa. In my family, I am the eighth of nine children. My father is an elder at our church, and my mother is a pastor.
I am a Nigerian who moved to Zimbabwe for the work of the ministry. In Zimbabwe, religious beliefs are protected, although a lot of people either do not accept the gospel or do not live what they once believed. I grew up in the church and also learned to serve the Lord there. Therefore, I made my decision to serve the Lord wholeheartedly while in my teens.
I first started my ministry in Nigeria. Then, awhile later, continued as a missionary to Zimbabwe to gain ground for Christ’s kingdom and bring more souls to Jesus Christ.
Opportunity for Ministry Study Free at CLI
I am pursuing the ministry courses at the Christian Leaders Institute for my spiritual benefit and also for strengthening my relationship with the Lord. My prayer is that I am prepared and equipped for whatever the Lord wants for me to do. I want to go wherever He leads me. Furthermore, I desire that I forever walk close to Him and am in His perfect will. Thank you, Christian Leaders Institute, for this opportunity for ministry study!
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.