My name is Adrian Wilson. I am 43 years old and married to Amanda, my wife of 22 years. We have four children and live in Oklahoma. We moved here about a year and a half ago from Colorado. I am getting an education in ministry and the Bible at the Christian Leaders Institute.
My Story
As a child, I was Lutheran. However, I spent my formative years in the Catholic Church. My mother was my Sunday school teacher and religious guide for a long time. Later in life, I received adult baptism into the Christian faith and know God saved me. I know Jesus and the Father have forgiven me. Sometimes, it’s hard to forgive myself. I’m not proud of everything I have done in my past, but I look forward to the future.
For 23 years, I attended and served in the Christian church. I’ve attended several churches over the years and finally found a good home church. It was a church plant that came out to Colorado. The minister and I became fast friends. My wife and I started at a tiny church in the back of a carpet shop. We watched it grow to over five campuses; thousands call it their home church.
After that, we moved to the small plant church. The Lord is moving through this church. However, it is not without its trials. Getting transferred from one school to another and getting trailers stolen has been rough for my pastor and the church family. Two of our sons and our daughter received baptism there.
Called and Getting an Education in Ministry and Bible
As I’m getting older (or, as I like to say, “wiser”), I have felt a calling to serve the Lord more and more. I have such a thirst for knowledge about our heavenly Father. Finally, I decided to take a further step and get an education in my passion. That’s when I found the Christian Leaders Institute for my education in ministry and Bible knowledge.
A little about my background: I was an apprentice mason under my father, who was an apprentice under his father. From my understanding masonry dates back many generations in my family tree. I’m blessed to be able to build things with my hands. I’ve heard lately that Jesus himself may have done masonry. I find it exciting to know I may be in the same trade as Jesus.
I’m ready to start a new life, following Jesus and learning more about the Bible. I want to be able to answer questions when they arise and to take ministry into scary places like jails and prisons. Therefore, I see myself as a chaplain for the jail and prison inmates who may need some reminding that Jesus still loves them. More importantly, I want to be a man who leads his family in the right direction to follow Jesus.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
FREE OFFICIANT TRAINING
At the Christian Leaders Institute, we recognize the pivotal role of the officiant in Christianity, a key figure in clergy who dedicates their leadership to infuse God’s presence into critical life events, from celebrations to transitions of great importance. The officiant’s duty is multifaceted, encompassing the teaching of God’s intentions, overseeing vow exchanges, conducting ceremonies, and delivering blessings. While they may serve in capacities akin to Christian ministers, their core focus remains on their officiating responsibilities, distinguishing them from the broader ministerial roles.
AN OFFICIANT'S BIBLICAL IMPORTANCE
The significance of the officiant role traces back to biblical times, beginning with the ceremonial acts of Melchizedek, the King of Salem and a priest of the Most High God, who blessed Abraham. This foundational event marks the role of officiants in spiritual leadership, drawing a parallel with the duties of Old Testament priests who led community ceremonies and ministered at the altar, a tradition that today’s officiants perpetuate within the Christian clergy.
In contemporary practice, officiants uphold the ancient traditions by overseeing ceremonies and providing spiritual guidance, ensuring the continuity of this critical role in connecting modern ministry with biblical practices.
CLI'S OFFICIANT PROGRAM
The Christian Leaders Institute has crafted an officiant program that caters to those called to this sacred duty, offering specialized training in various areas such as Wedding Officiant and Romance Officiant. This program is designed to equip individuals with comprehensive ministry training, backed by local recommendations and recognition by the Christian Leaders Alliance.
We encourage local congregations to adopt such officiant programs, which allow volunteers to minister on specific topics and occasions without the broader expectations associated with being a Christian minister. Officiants stand out for their vital role in the community, bridging individuals with God’s teachings and intentions during significant life events like weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies, all without the requirement for extensive counseling or coaching skills.
Through our Free Officiant Training program, the Christian Leaders Institute aims to support and expand the availability of trained officiants, ensuring that the rich, biblical heritage of this role continues to serve the contemporary needs of God’s community. Join us in embracing this calling, and become a beacon of God’s presence in life’s most pivotal moments.
WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM?
On the Christian Leaders Institute. website, we provide a clear pathway for those called to serve as officiants in their communities through our Free Officiant Training program. Here’s how you can follow this path towards ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance:
Step One: Understand Your Calling
First, determine your specific calling within the officiant ministry. Whether you’re drawn to officiating weddings, engaging in romance ministry, or serving in other ministerial capacities, recognizing your interest is the initial step.
Step Two: Start Your Training
Begin your journey with our Free Ministry Training. The foundational course for all aspiring officiants is the Wedding Officiant Skills course, which requires less than 10 hours to complete and is free of charge. This course lays the groundwork for your officiant training.
Step Three: Move Towards Recognition
After completing the foundational course, proceed to the Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant Recognition Course. You’ll need to complete your minister profile and obtain one recommendation. Following verification, you’ll officially join the clergy of the Christian Leaders Alliance and appear in our Minister Directory
Step Four: Complete Your Training or Celebrate Your New Role
Upon finishing your initial training, you can choose to further your education in other officiant roles or celebrate your accomplishment. Successfully completing this stage earns you Licensed Wedding Officiant Status with the Christian Leaders Alliance, and you can acquire the Clergy Recogntion Kit. This kit includes a Licensed Wedding Officiant Certificate, a Letter of Good Standing, and a clergy ID card.
Step Five: Expand Your Recognition
To gain recognition in additional officiant roles, enroll in the required training programs. There’s no need for another recommendation if you’ve already submitted one for your wedding officiant status.
This streamlined process is designed to support you from discerning your calling through achieving ordained status, enabling you to serve your community effectively as an officiant.
The Christian Leaders Alliance offers the first clergy status program for Christians who feel called to serve as officiants in their communities.
Check out More Officiant Skills Courses
For Such a Time as This
My name is Katie Casey. My husband and I live in Madison, WI, with three adult children, three dogs, and six chickens. I am a certified labor doula and trained childbirth educator. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute to further my ministry education.
My Salvation Story
I am the youngest and only girl of three, born to Tom and Sandy Line in 1976. My parents were officers in The Salvation Army. Officers are the ordained ministers who have gone through The Salvation Army’s two-year seminary. They taught us to love the Lord and Biblical teachings throughout our childhood. We frequently moved to different Midwest cities as part of the family’s ministry.
At the age of thirteen, I was at a summer camp. Another girl in our cabin introduced my friends and me to a “game” that involved “calling on spirits.” However, we quickly learned that this was no game. One friend attempted to hurt herself through the influence of an evil spirit. The only thing I knew to do was to call out the name, “Jesus!” and the girl stopped.
Several adults spoke to us about the reality of spiritual warfare after they were alerted to what happened. I thought, “This is all real..like, actually real!” At that moment, I felt Jesus say to me, “Now that you know this is real, choose.” I chose Jesus. Therefore, I asked Him into my heart and life because I believed, not because I was copying or trying to please my parents. I wanted a relationship with Jesus.
My Marriage, Family, and Ministry Service
As a young adult, I married, had three children, and worked with children and youth in The Salvation Army with my husband. I worked in ministry at the church for 16 years. In 2010, God changed my path by leading me to become a doula, someone who works with pregnant and postpartum women. I had my practice for seven years as a childbirth educator at a local hospital and as a nanny.
I became a volunteer for a women’s clinic, teaching childbirth classes. At the time, I didn’t realize that this clinic was a Christian organization with a vision to help women choose life for their unplanned pregnancies. Eventually, I learned what their mission was. They hired me to work there full-time. I have been on staff as the Education Manager and Care Coordinator for six years. I work with families to educate and walk beside them in compassionate, non-judgmental support, connecting them to their needed resources.
Further My Ministry Education at CLI
God has had His hand on every twist, turn, upswing, and down in my life. I have always felt called to work with women and children for Jesus. I know God provides opportunities to teach me more and open more doors in my journey. Therefore, I know I discovered the Christian Leaders Institute through divine intervention. He has a plan for me to further my ministry education.
I have had some of the most painful experiences one can have in life. However, I’ve also always seen God’s excellent work and faithfulness despite those experiences. I praise Him! I also constantly seek to follow what Jesus called the greatest of the commandments: to love the Lord our God first and others as ourselves second.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.