Sandra Williams of the United States of America – Christian Leaders Basic Certificate
My name is Sandra Williams, most people call me Sandi. I live in the USA and at honestly, at times find it difficult to do ministry. I rely heavily upon the Holy Spirit , for in my weakness, He is strong.
My mother raised me to trust in the Lord, just as her grandparents had taught her. I can still remember her teaching me the Lord’s prayer as a child, and always telling me to put God first. I lost her to advanced liver cancer in 2013 and that loss has had a profound impact upon my life. Again, in my darkest hours of despair, God loved me and gave me His peace. Jesus gave me His love and grace.
My ministry dream is to teach the word of the Lord and to become an evangelist. I love the word. I love talking about the word. I love reading it every day and finding new pearls of wisdom. I see so many people who attend bible study classes seeking to know the Lord in more profound ways , needing to be fed, and sometimes leaving still hungry and thirsty. I want Jesus to use me to help others better understand and appreciate the word. Also to help others disciple their children and family members.
I have always believed in God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but I have not always lived accordingly. However, watching my mother succumb (in 6 months) to liver cancer, changed my entire life. I experienced pain, fear and loneliness at levels that only our Triune God could deliver me from. I sought Him and He was there to comfort me through His Word and to strengthen me. I know that I will live for Him forever.
Challenges are few within my geographic area. We are blessed to have many churches throughout our city. The challenges I face have to do with gaining deeper knowledge and understanding of the word, while trying to work a full time job. I would love to be able to take a 3-4 year break to attend Seminary, but I am determined to study God’s word any way I can, and nearly every day.
I am currently a member of an American Methodist Episcopal church that is founded on very strict disciplines. I can appreciate the rigor of these disciplines, but they can take time to adjust to. However, I am sure that many other groups operate in the same manner. My pastor has been very supportive as well as the ministerial team.
A scholarship at CLI would allow me to pursue my studies and achieve my dream of satisfying God’s calling upon my life. I’ve been searching for a learning opportunity that was both affordable and rigorous. I’ve enjoyed my learning thus far and look forward to taking additional courses.
My name is Shayla Cresse. I was brought up in the Christian community. I was saved at the age of 7 and have strived to follow Jesus since. When I was in High School I wanted to be a Worship Pastor. Music and worship was a passion of mine. Since then I have dug deeper into the word and would like to be a Pastor. I identify most with Youth Leader, my husband and I have recently become the Youth Leaders of our Church. There was a need for a Youth Leader and we stepped up. Since then God has led us down a path I never would have guested would be the plan for my life.
I live in Florida and the biggest challenge for me would be to make sure I do not fall into the temptations of society. Where I live it is all about money, statues and what you look like. My Pastor has been a big encouragement and mentor in my ministry calling. He has given wonderful advice and mentorship. My husband has been a blessing through my ministry training. His encouragement, love and support has helped keep me going.
In order to grow in ministry I need the correct bible training to equip me for the future. A scholarship at Christian Leaders Institute would allow me to obtain that. I need prayer for strength to continue on in what Jesus has called me to do and the opportunity to fulfill it.
Though I can pinpoint my true moment of conversion to high school, I can look back over my life and see God’s hand constantly in my life, leading, guiding, helping, correcting and healing me. He has always been present, walking with me to help me be all that He had designed for me to be. It’s been a long road, but it’s been one that has many revelations, joys, sorrows, triumphs, failures, growths and power. It is my greatest desire to be all that God has called me to be, to do what He desires (even those things that frighten me), and to live a life that is passionate and empowered.
I currently reside in the USA. I was born and raised here. The freedoms we have here are stunning and it saddens me to see them abused for immoral reasons. I am grateful that God allowed for me to be born in this time and this place for His specific purposes. I do not currently serve in ministry, as God has been doing some pruning and shaping in my life, but I do have personal ministries that I host on Facebook, including my online purity page and my Bible study page.
Though I was raised Baptist, I consider my truest moment of surrender to be in High School at a Pentecostal door scene, where Jesus met with me and called me to a firm dedication in my walk with Him. Before, my heart and soul longed and cried out for a true relationship with Christ, though at the time I couldn’t put the longing to words, but after years of learning at His feet, I now know what my heart wanted…but the presence of teachers and mentors in this realm were few and far between.
My ministry dream is to fulfill the call of God on my life in the realm of Radical Purity, teaching woman and young ladies the truth about holiness and purity as a follower of Christ. I identify most with the word “Pastor” or “Apostle” and “Teacher”. I am not sure if my calling lies in youth ministry or women’s ministry. I am waiting on God for that direction. As I see that purity isn’t just a young issue, I believe it is a combination of youth and women’s ministry.
I found that no one would be an encouragement, mentor, teacher or accountability partner when I struggled with my own battles in purity. One day, as I mourned the rejection of a local church that was hosting a purity event, God said, “Why don’t you study it for yourself?” That was the first time He called me and since then (that was about 7 or so years ago), He has moved and refined and guided and led me to a deeper call to purity than I could have ever dreamed of reaching for on my own. This call to purity is so radical that even Christians are resistant to it.
It is difficult where I live to find mentors. In our community, the thought of mentoring is nearly dead. Friendship is also hard to find, especially the caliber of friendship one seeks where it is a passionate relationship with Christ that the relationships form around. Otherwise, though, I have a pretty open place to share the gospel and reach others, as most are receptive to talking about Christ here, whether they agree or not.
It is difficult for me to find church support in my ministry call. But, that is all right, as I know that Christ has His timing and plan for it. All I need to do is obey and prepare. My mom is very supportive of the calling, but since it isn’t a call she feels attached to, she isn’t a co-laborer in this. Most of the support I’ve found has been through other purity connections online. This is great because of the resources and the discussions we’ve had that have helped keep us on track and encouraged.
I cannot afford college without debt. A few years ago, I was accepted into an online seminary. All I had to do was sign the loan papers. As I was about to do so, God told me, “You haven’t asked Me what I want,” I then asked Him what He wanted and He told me that He would never have me get into debt to do His will and go to college. The admissions person told me that that was unrealistic. For years, it seems like it was, but when I found CLI online, I felt like God was showing me the truth that I’d believed all along: He has His timing and His plan. I just needed to wait and trust Him. To be able to do this for free is such a blessing and I do intend to pay for the degree at one point without the need for a loan or debt, which is perfect for me.
Please pray that I hear God clearly and I do what He would like for me to do, that I don’t put my dreams above His call, and that I make sure that I don’t give up or settle for less than His best, just because it’s easier or gets me somewhere faster.
I like to be creative and so I draw and take photos and write. God has given me talent in writing and so that is where I excel the most, though I like to dabble in art, despite my minimal ability there. I love animals and birds distract me with their amazing beauty. 🙂 I am pro-life 100%.
I blog and I like social media. I use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. My favorite translations are Amplified and The Message.