Student Vincent Alands searched for education that would not cause more debt or turn him away and found Christian Leaders Institute’s free online ministry and enrolled. Get a Free Ministry Education on Your Own Time like Vincent did! Here is his story…
Get a Free Ministry Education on Your Own Time – Vincent’s Story
I’m Vincent Mattice Aaland and I currently live in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to a faith-filled mother and an unbelieving father. Early life was filled with joy and happiness. My mother and father went their separate ways, leaving my mother to raise me alone. In her household I learned to question the world. Finding that bright spark within I felt a burning desire to find the true word. I have been searching for the past twenty-five years!
I hadn’t gone to many church services. Much to the dismay of most of my family, one of my uncles is very active in the ministry, my other uncle (my godfather) had spent most of my life trying to lead me to the light. I wasn’t willing to hear the power in the word. I rebelled. I disagreed. I was that person who poked holes in literal translations. Every time I turned a corner, however, God had a funny way of steering me back onto the right path.
Life had just turned for the best, I was attending Berklee College of Music in the guitar performance program when I met my wife. Her family was the “every Sunday” kind of family. Both parents grew up in strongly Christian families and thus followed family tradition with their children. It wasn’t until we moved in with her parents that I was brought before the word of God and I felt it transforming my life. I was still rebellious, don’t forget that. “The pastor had a nice thought there, but I feel God was really saying THIS there,” was a pretty common thought I had while sitting in church.
A couple years had passed and we decided to move back to Chicago for the birth of our son. Once again, her parents introduced us to their church; a new church! There was something special about this pastor. His messages sunk through my hard shell and began to spread. That pastor is now one of my best friends.
I see myself settling down with my family. Living a simple life as the Pastor of a medium sized church. Caring for the facilities, preaching, counseling, loving my congregation. Serving my community until I can no longer. I am definitely a pastor finding his voice.
I was born with a need to share. I have always been overly compassionate. Over the past year, however, little messages have been placed on my path. A movie here, a conversation there, a song somewhere else. Inside, I feel this growing need to lead as many people as are willing to the Lord. Finding messages in our most glorious text, applying them week after week to our daily lives. Helping my congregation through their ups and downs… that’s what heaven on Earth is to me.
I live in a western suburb of Chicago where there aren’t many geographical challenges. The most typical challenge I can really fathom is the growing disinterest in religion that is becoming commonplace in American culture. Being in the suburbs means there are five churches in a two mile radius of my church, all of us are struggling for a decent sized turn out. A couple of churches have modernized into the rock-heavy contemporary programs seen in the bigger uber-churches. Some have gone the opposite direction and gone completely traditional.
As I mentioned before, my best friend is also my pastor. We have weekly meetings where we discuss my learning, my goals, my struggles. He is my mentor and my best resource. Overall, my church family is excited to hear what voice I find deep down. Now I just have to figure that part out for myself.
A scholarship here at Christian Leaders Institute truly defines the success of my future. After two failed attempts at University, my debt is above my head. I have a growing family and a regular (40-hour, 3rd shift) job. I don’t know how I would ever be able to complete a program like this anywhere else. Monetarily, I can’t even count the money I’d have to pay and give up in lost hours. With this program being online, I can study during the hours while my 2 year old son is asleep.
First, thank you for praying for me. Over the years I have felt like I was unworthy of anyone else’s prayers. I am learning to graciously accept. Please pray that I continue to grow and learn in the gloriously warm light that Jesus has shined down on me. Pray that I find the right church that is willing to have me as a pastor. Thank you all!
CLI student John Utterbeck enrolled at CLI for free Youth Ministry Mentoring education and is working toward fulfilling his dreams of youth pastoring. Here is his story…
Free Youth Ministry Mentoring Education – John’s Story
I am John Utterbeck Jr, born in the Gulf Coast of Texas in the year of 1993. I currently still reside in the United States of America in the State of Indiana as I have relocated here. Doing ministry in the U.S is glorifying but also has its challenges as we face many issues and obstacles along the way.
I have came to know the Lord knowingly when I was 12 years old when I had first attended church in La Marque, Texas at a church called Abundant Life Christian Center, ministered by the Founder/Head Pastor, Walter Hallam.
My dream is to help, mentor and guide our youths/ young generations in their Walk with Jesus, to remove the youths from the life of the streets into the life of Jesus. I dream to do great influence in the lives of our young ones. I refer myself as Pastor, whether it is Head Pastor or Youth Pastor, I do both. Reason for it is because I have my own ministry, I thrive to help the youths to be better believers, to teach them Gods Words.
The key experience in life to have gotten me to do what I do in ministry would be the growing up abused, molested, neglected and much more. Having had experienced the life I had, and having overcome it like I had done so through Jesus and support of people around me, it led to me want to help our youths to have the ability to overcome anything with Jesus who strengthens them.
In Kokomo, Indiana, the issues among youths are a lot in relations to drugs and gang activities. These two issues is what I believe is what causing problems among our youths in this community, and must be resolved.
Since I relocated to a different state and am currently looking for a proper church for me, I do have the support of a lot of my friends in Texas, whom the majority are ministers or Evangelists and mentors me and advise me whenever possible. I always welcome their opinion and views as they help me do better in my ministry.
My family play a part in my ministry as they also support me in my calling, we all share the same beliefs, and they push me to do well in whatever I am called to do. They expect my sermons and actions and ability to be no less than my best. They are my support physically and spiritually.
The CLI scholarship will help me so much as I am always talking to youths and helping them with any issues they may have, I have sacrificed my sleep to stay up late hours just to talk to the youths with their issues. I am willing to and have done so, sacrifice my time and rest and enjoyment to make sure that I can help these youths, give spiritual advises and make a difference in their lives. I LIVE for our youths and believe that they will be strong Christians that will continue to build our country with the Gospel of God.
You can pray by asking God to continue to guide not only myself but all the youths that seek help or is seeking the Lord, pray for strength and love. To pray that our youths find what they are looking for in our Savior Jesus.
Student Othniel Altidor is active in his community church and sought out an Accurate Word of God Education; so he enrolled at Christian Leaders Institute for the free online ministry courses! Here is his story..
Accurate Word of God Education – Othniel’s Story
My name is Othniel Altidor and I do ministry in the Hudson Florida area of the United States. I love doing my Heavenly Father’s work and love seeing lives changed by the power and impact of the word. The biggest obstacle for ministry I’ve noticed is attrition as many believers are not challenged to really stretch their spiritual muscles. God found me when I was 10 years old living with an uncle because my parents were divorced and they lack the time to handle me in my rebellion. My uncle, a Pastor, showed me not with words but with deeds how a Christian is supposed to live, how a husband is to cherish his wife, and the power that comes from being obedient to the Lord. My ministerial dream is a great revival not only in the Hudson area but in our nation. Jesus is coming back and he wants to see faith still abounding and I have faith he can really change the hearts of men and women and save us from ourselves. If people were to ask me who am I in Christ I am his servant but my calling is to Pastor. God’s constant presence and help in my life is what drove me to pursue ministry. I am indebted to God for showing me immeasurable mercies and love in all seasons of my life. My local church has really helped me grow by allowing me to use my gifts in leading the youth, preaching the gospel, and coordinating events to reach the lost for Christ. A scholarship is important because I want grow first and foremost for myself and also to accurately present the word of God. I would really appreciate prayer against the fear of men and to instill in our congregation an overwhelming love for God and doing his will.