Ministry in Criminal Justice System
My name is Deborah Martinez Aragon, and I grew up in the west side of San Antonio, Texas. I am called to minister to people who have drug addiction and trauma and are incarcerated or recently released from the criminal justice system. As a student at the Christian Leaders Institute, I can get the education to become an ordained chaplain. I pray that taking this step will continue my journey to help transform people, change lives, restore, heal, and help set them free to walk in freedom every day. I grew up in a Catholic home, which was the foundation of my spiritual walk and my desire to help those who need encouragement to start anew.
Personal Growth with Drug Court and Methadone Program
I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M and started working as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in 2009. Mainly, I worked with individuals in detox, residential, and outpatient treatment. I grew up in the poorest part of town, which had a high rate of substance dependency, domestic violence, and recidivism. I saw classmates fall into addiction during high school and lost a few friends to gang-related murders. Even at an early age, I knew I wanted to work with this population.
After my years as a case manager for the drug courts, I realized that I needed to get back to where it started: counseling. In 2016, while working for a methadone clinic, I met my future business partner. She was very involved with her church. She invited me to her Pentecostal Church. It was new to me since I went to the Catholic Church my whole life. Soon after, I was baptized in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ. We saw the need was more significant than just medication management and an hour of counseling a month. Therefore, we needed God at the center of everything we did. We started our non-profit with our husbands. It provides counseling and freedom groups, and finally, two years ago, prison ministry.
Called to Minister to People with Drug Addiction
While building my relationship with God, I realized that through God’s ordained direction, I, too, could help people. I could encourage them to overcome their addiction with the understanding that God is loving, merciful, and forgiving. Many people think they have sinned too much or are so far gone that God couldn’t possibly love them and call them by name. Redemption is possible. I have helped my church by using my skills and ties to the community to obtain aid for the homeless and the addicted. I have prayed with and over people who would never otherwise step into a church or place of worship. It is my mission to spread the word and love of Jesus Christ.
Education to Become an Ordained Chaplain
My vision of chaplaincy is to be where I am needed, not only in a church building. The sick, elderly, incarcerated, and homeless need to hear that God loves them and understands their heart even when they do not speak the words of their need. In a hospital or prison setting, depression is real, and isolation is common. Having experience as a licensed counselor, I listen to understand, not just respond. People need freedom from the chains that bind them to the cycles of hopelessness and despair.
Participating in this Chaplain ministry training at CLI has blessed me. I could not otherwise afford the education and licensing to become an ordained Chaplain. Therefore, I will serve with confidence. Furthermore, I can care for my family and work as I get the education and receive the leadership and direction I have always prayed for.
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 Will Provide
My name is Richard Newel, but I have been known as Rik since my early teenage years. God guides us even when we do not realize it. I am thankful for the tuition-free online ministry classes offered at the Christian Leaders Institute.
Living in France
My wife and I have lived in France since 2006. I am often asked why I left England and started a new life here. Initially, my wife and I had a small amount of money from selling a house. Therefore, we were looking for a holiday home. The ideal home would have a minimum of two bedrooms and be a lock-up and leave-type of home. The reality was that everything we looked at was a ruin – literally.
Then, one day, we stumbled across a five-bedroom house that only needed a lick or two of paint. That’s where our journey in France started. When we bought that house, we had no idea where we would go to church each Sunday. The house initially had a renter. The tenant knew that we were Christians and suggested a local church to us. We met with French and English Christians. They welcomed us into their community.
After a couple of years, we got itchy feet again and moved house twice more before settling here. We were thankful to discover a local house church via one of the roofers working on our home. He continued singing Hosanna very loudly from the roof so all could hear him.
House Church and Belonging
The house church was the nearest I have ever come to how the original church was set up. We meet in each other’s homes, a field, or a village hall. It did not matter where. It was the first time that I felt included and that I belonged there.
I grew up in a Catholic household. In those days, everything was in Latin in the service. So, as a youngster, although I was always aware of God’s presence, I never really understood what was going on or felt any inclusion.
When It All Changed
Everything changed for me when I was ten. There was a visiting missionary who preached in our church one Sunday. The sermon he told was based on a modern parable. It was the story of the long chopsticks or the long spoons, as some might know it. That story spoke to me. For some reason, I knew I was to repeat that story in later life. It took me another 55 years to do it, though!
Our local church asked if any of the leaders wanted to preach. Not known for being outgoing, all of a sudden, I felt a “virtual” dig in the ribs and an inner voice saying now is the time. That story was the second sermon I ever preached. I like to think that it reached others, too. Hopefully, they won’t take as long as I did to repeat it.
Tuition Free Online Ministry Classes
So began my walk with God. At the moment, I am looking for an opportunity to hopefully plant a house church or find a meeting place. I genuinely believe that the Christian Leaders Institute will guide me on my journey. I will be forever grateful to them for their tuition-free online ministry classes. For me, money has always been a deciding factor when looking to further my training. Now retired, I live on a basic pension. This gift of free training is the ideal way for me to follow my calling!
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.
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.