Hi, I’m Elijah Mana Khui Shing. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute to get further ministry training for God’s call.
I’m a dad to two boys and married to Anna. Right now, I’m a pastor at the Gospel Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. But my journey started in Myanmar. My dad, a pastor too, raised me in a Christian family.
My Story of Answering God’s Call
When I was young, we lived in a small town called Mindat in Myanmar. That’s when I learned about Jesus and decided to follow him. I used to travel with my dad to different villages, spreading the good news about Jesus. Seeing people’s lives change because of the message made me want to be a missionary like my dad.
After high school, I went to a Bible college in Yangon. But in my third year, I got sick with kidney problems. Doctors thought I wouldn’t make it. But through prayers from my family and church, I recovered miraculously. I felt God had a purpose for me, so I dedicated my life to serving him.
After college, I went to Malaysia to help Myanmarese refugees. I shared the gospel with them through meetings, giving out pamphlets, and knocking on doors. Seeing how God opened doors for me to share his message was amazing.
Ministry Training for God’s Call
My biggest dream is to know God better and help others find him. When I came to the USA, I wanted to attend Bible college, but money was tight. Then, a friend told me about the Christian Leader Institute online. It was an answer to my prayers. Through their classes, I’ve learned more about God and felt his love and grace. I’m grateful for this opportunity to get ministry training for God’s call. It will make me a better leader for my church and help me bring more people to God.
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.
My name is Dawn Fuhrman. I grew up in New Jersey, but now live in Pennsylvania. Married for 31 years, we have three children, one of whom we adopted. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and want to use that education to serve the Lord by becoming a minister. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute because I am called and want to be equipped to serve God in ministry.
Study at CLI
Being a student now is easier than when I was in college as a young woman. I want and crave to learn. Furthermore, I want to learn more about God and how I can bring others closer to Him. I am pleased that it is a self-paced school, all online. I study when I can focus and when my family does not need me. The free courses do not strain our family finances, so returning to school is not a burden, but a joy. The ability to receive a scholarship keeps the option of a Bachelor’s degree in ministry open for me in the future. I am excited to become an Ordained Chaplain Minister and eventually open my own Soul Center to provide for my community. God called me and the training at CLI equipped me to serve God wherever He leads.
My Journey to Study
I grew up with Jesus in my life and received a religious education until I was in high school. Eventually, I became a Religious Education teacher myself. I always had a strong faith. My mother always encouraged me to have a close relationship with Jesus. I, like most teens, strayed from my faith for a time. But, I returned when I matured and realized how much I missed having a relationship with God. I also wanted to raise my children in the faith.
Since then, I have studied the Bible as much as possible and joined a Bible study group to continue and deepen my studies. I dream of running a Bible study, being an effective minister, and opening a Soul Center. Then, I can help those in my community feel love and acceptance and have a relationship with Jesus.
My Turning Point
I think the time Jesus was the most prevalent in my life was when my 8-year-old son passed away. If you have read the poem Footprints, you will understand when I say Jesus carried me that year. I turned to God to help me find my way out of that darkness. I never lost my faith or struggled with it during that time. However, I would not be who I am today without it. Nor would I have made it through strong enough to adopt a son out of foster care later. That is when God started to call me to help others. Now, that little boy, our son we adopted, is 14, and I am being called to help others outside of my home.
Called and Equipped to Serve God through Ministry Training at CLI
I hope the free training and classes I take at the Christian Leader Institute will equip me for God’s call to help others. It will give me the knowledge, confidence, and support I need to become a minister who makes a difference in other’s lives. With the CLI ministry training, I can lead a meaningful Bible study that others will return to, enjoy, and be encouraged to study independently. The CLI ministry training will help me show others that being a leader is attainable. I want to encourage them to follow their callings as well.
I look forward to officiating weddings and baptisms. Further, I look forward to ministering to others and achieving my spiritual dreams. But most of all, I look forward to helping others develop a relationship with Jesus. Thank you, CLI, for this opportunity to study!
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.
God’s Grace is Sufficient
Hi, I’m Andrew Cawthorn from Stutterheim, South Africa. I have been a student at the Christian Leaders Institute since late 2014 and early 2015, when I searched online for an opportunity to study for the ministry.
My Journey to an Opportunity to Study for the Ministry
I grew up in a Christian home and did what one would expect from a Christian. However, I wandered somewhat toward the end of my senior year into my early twenties. I still attended church and did devotions, but more out of habit and expectation than because of a heartfelt commitment to God.
But God is faithful to His promises even if we aren’t! In November 2008, God convicted me one morning over coffee. Around that time, a previous pastor took me to a pastor’s conference, and the seed was planted.
So, in late 2014 and early 2015, I found the Christian Leaders Institute while searching online for an opportunity to study for the ministry. I had developed a desire to learn the Bible’s truths more clearly.
Spiritual Warfare
What should have been a turning point toward ministry became a dog attack on our son, which should have been worse but for God’s intervention. At that stage, he was about three years old and needed reconstructive surgery on his left leg. We realized it was an attack from the devil’s forces because of my commitment to studying the word of God and looking for opportunities to preach.
Thankfully, with God’s help, I have continued to study and grow, and last year, 2023, I received my Associate of Divinity Degree. I plan on completing the bachelor’s degree as soon as finances allow.
The beginning of 2024 was a big year for our family, and we committed to following Jesus as closely as possible and supporting each other in whichever ministry God sent us. Once again, the devil showed himself. However, by God’s grace, we continue and will do so as we can.
Thank you, CLI and CLA! Without you, I and many others would have no chance.
God is good all the time.
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.