Hi. My name is Tina Carder. I’m a student at the Christian Leaders Institute for Ministry Training and Biblical Knowledge.
I live in Abingdon, Illinois, with my husband of almost 37 years and two cats. We were blessed with three children and five grandchildren. We lost our oldest son a year and eight months ago at the age of 34 with IgA nephropathy. This has been the most challenging thing we have been through. I’m not sure where we would be without our faith in Christ.
My Journey
As a child, my grandma played a massive role in my learning about Jesus and that He died for our sins. I lived with her for a year when I was nine and always stayed a week during summer vacation. During the year I lived with Grandma, she had me attending three different Vacation Bible Schools. While attending one of them, I accepted Christ as my Savior for the first time.
I’ve always had faith. However, my faith has definitely grown stronger as I’ve grown older. In church after 9-11, we were all in a circle at the front of the church, holding hands and praying for those who lost their lives and their families. I felt a hand on my left shoulder. When I looked, there wasn’t anyone there. I knew then that Christ was with us and hearing our prayers. I’ve also felt a tingling sensation when I’m talking to someone about Christ. It’s the Holy Spirit letting me know I’m on the right path. These experiences have strengthened my faith as I’ve felt Christ’s love.
Ministry Training Knowledge at CLI
Furthermore, I dreamed I was walking with someone who didn’t speak to me. The person walked by my side while I talked about wanting to be a minister. While reading my Bible the following day, I remembered and thought, “Why can’t I?” I began looking for education opportunities and found one costing $ 8,000. I knew I couldn’t afford it. When I thought I might be unable to start classes immediately, I found the Christian Leaders Institute with free ministry training. I knew then that God had a more excellent plan for me.
I work as an Activity Director in a Skilled Nursing facility. At times, we have had a minister not show up. I didn’t feel qualified to step into that role at the time. However, thanks to my calling and the Christian Leaders Institute, I can gain ministry training knowledge and become a minister. I can help my residents with their fellowship with Christ. I couldn’t be more excited to fulfill God’s plan in gaining my ministry training knowledge with CLI!
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 in Darkness
Hello! My name is Corey Leverette, and I am from Tennessee in the United States. I am getting more ministry and pastor training at the Christian Leaders Institute.
My Journey
God saved me in the fifth grade because my mom took my brother and me to church. My father was an alcoholic, so although I was saved, I didn’t take it seriously due to dealing with a lot of hurt and darkness. As a teen, I became involved in a youth group that was unlike anything I had ever seen. The kids were passionate about God, and they loved to worship and learn. I soon grew tremendously in my walk with God and learned so much there.
However, after high school, I went my own way. I searched out other religions and put God on the back burner. Furthermore, I made many mistakes, went through a divorce, and became a single dad.
Back to God
But God, being rich in mercy and faithfulness, drew me back to church and back to Him. I attended and served in church once again and got serious about Him again.
As I grew in Christ at church, I saw a need for a men’s ministry. Therefore, I asked my pastor if I could step into some sort of men’s ministry role to feed the men’s faith. We prayed about it, and soon, I became the men’s minister.
After earning a Bachelor-level certificate in men’s ministry through Columbia Evangelical Seminary, further, the leaders ordained me as the men’s pastor. I have been serving in that capacity ever since.
More Ministry And Pastor Training at CLI
Wanting more ministry and pastor training, I searched online and found the Christian Leaders Institute, I look forward to learning and growing even more through CLI!
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 Joni Stephenson. I’m from North Carolina and married with a son and stepdaughter. God led me to continue my education at the Christian Leaders Institute for ministry courses and credentials. I want to do the Lord’s work wherever He may lead. I teach Sunday school and lead the youth at my local church.
My Journey
I came to know the Lord in my small hometown Baptist Church. My parents raised me to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I always felt the pull of God on my heart throughout my life. Even in my teens and early 20s, I knew the Lord was keeping me in His grip to accomplish His will. I fought it and ignored the seriousness of the calling until now. The Lord needed me to mature spiritually before I could lead others.
Ministry Courses and Credentials at CLI and CLA
So, now I’m in my 40s, I want to take a serious dive into finding out what my true calling is. I always felt a strong urge to teach. Therefore, I am eager to keep studying and letting the Lord lead me where He will. By God’s grace and mercy, my training with the Christian Leaders Institute and credentialing with the Christian Leaders Alliance will show that I want to work for the Lord with all my heart.
As I write this, I want to mention that I was not as diligent as my parents in raising my son. They did not waiver in their faith or rules to keep my soul safe. However, I pray that my son has learned the importance of God in his life. Further, I want to continue to lead him in the right direction even though I was slack in reinforcing Godly principles in his younger years. God is merciful and gracious!
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.