I was called into ministry at the young age of 17. A few years later I became a youth pastor and was leader for a youth drama. I was so sure that I was unworthy of the calling God had placed on my life.
At 27 years of age I turned my back on God. I felt as if the situation I was in, made me unworthy to be a child of God. I was facing a situation of abuse and I could not find answers because I was fishing in the wrong pond.
Five years ago I came back to God. I told God I was ready 100% . I didn’t know at that time that God was opening me up for the Calling once again. I began to crucify flesh and cry out for more of God in me. As I began to dig in His Word it was confirmed. It was time to walk in the calling God had placed on my life. Speaking at ladies ministries starts my calling. I give my testimony of where God brought me from with other women.
As time went on God placed me in under a mentor. I now attend a Pentecostal church at Westminster, SC. I have three mentors in the church. At least once a month I am blessed with the privilege to bring the Word to our church.
My prayer is for more of God and less of me. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband who stands behind my calling one hundred percent. I have 3 children ages 3-15. They are workers in our church. My daughter ,who is 12, helps me with drama and interpretive dance. Gods word says to raise your children in the way they should go. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to get more into Gods word.
CLI Student, Anita
I am a 50-year old man seeking Christian training. I am looking for a way to help people find Jesus and the Love of God. I have two children one boy 24 and one girl 17. I am very proud of them both. My Son will be a first-time father in July 2015 and works in Security. My Daughter is graduating from High School in May. She will also receive her Associate degree in May 2015. I have worked in production/manufacturing most of my life. My most recent job was as a caregiver for a battens child and I believe I have a passion for this type of work. I enjoy helping people and seeing them happy. I love to make people laugh and smile.
I would like to get involved in Counseling of some sort. I believe God will lead my steps and put me where He wants me. I have a heart to see the lost come to Christ, so when they pass through this life they will not go to Hell. I have a desire to show people the love of God. I want to learn more and get closer to God. So I can minister to the people around me.
I believe CLI can help me with my goals. Money is tight right now and I know I need the knowledge right now. I have wanted an education for many years, but never had the support to get it done. I have been looking at online schools for the last couple of months. Last night I remembered how God layed it on my heart to become a Christian Counselor. I started looking around and that is when I found CLI. The scholarship CLI offers will help me to get started learning what I need to help accomplish my goals. I believe God has great things and great blessings coming in my life. I want to be ready for them.
My name is Henry William Conoly II, I live in the United States and am blessed that the country I live in does not persecute those who practice our faith. Sadly though with that has come much doubt in the power of Christ and the temptation to follow other “gods”. Further separating people from the one true God and the only path to salvation, Christ. Many like me want to work to change this sad situation in America and bring people to their one true home in God.
I came to know the Lord through the death of my Grandmother Sharon Conoly in the early 2000’s. That moment in time made me realize that I cannot live in this world alone and need something that can guide me. It is when I first read the Bible and started to learn the power of God Almighty and Christ the Redeemer. I realized that by putting my trust in the Trinity and living a life that is pleasing to God all my fears and pain disappear. I learned that Christ alone can bring me hope and eternal happiness. Since then I have looked to live a life serving Him.
My dream is to serve as a leader in the Church I recently became a part of and hopefully as they expand start leading worship at one of their new churches. We take an up-beat approach to ministry and I believe that with this style of church we have we can bring more people into Christ’s family. Our non-judgmental approach to faith welcomes all who seek to experience Christ to join us and worship in the hopes that they will be touched by God and continue to grow in faith.
I would find myself to be both a Pastor and a Youth Leader. The reason lies in that every leader who has made an impact on my life religiously was a Pastor. I am non-denominational and find that the word Pastor is representative of that. I also want to be called a Youth Leader because working with the minds of the young seems to be easy for me. I can share their pains, and have fought through them and feel that that connection will help them see the light of God. I want to help shape young minds and help them see the Glory of God and the power of Christ.
I was prompted to pursue ministry after I felt the overwhelming peace and joy in Christ. I was in church and had questions, but I opened my heart to Jesus and asked Him to come to me and I felt Him. I felt calm I felt peace I felt hope and knew right then and there that this is what I must do. I must help others find Christ and his salvation and that I must help others to the Kingdom of God. I was told to find this and CLI was the first stop. It was like God was pointing my way to this school and program.
One of the most unique challenges in my area is how many different religions exist in my area, it confuses the young minds and makes it easier for them to be tempted by the devil to worship false gods. They need people who will connect with them in order to find the path to salvation and in the end the Lord and God. I hope that with this training and education I can help to connect to them to help them find salvation.
I haven’t spoke with my church about this yet, but I know when I do they will be behind me with all their love, support and prayers to help me through this. They want more young leaders and I know that they will see the future of me being a Pastor. I dream and pray for the day I can lead in one of their churches and help others. Their church reignited the flame in my heart for God.
The scholarship would assist in so many ways. I work full time and use allot of what I make to support myself and the many bills I have. It’s hard, but Christ gives me hope for a brighter future and as a part of that I believe He has set me on the path through this school. I know the scholarship will allow me to achieve my dreams and pay it forward to others in need.
The prayer that I need is that my mind can stay focused on the task at hand. That I do not stray away from this education and that I may continue to grow as a Christian and a future Pastor. I dream of being ordained and cannot wait until that days comes. Prayer is the best way to achieve my dreams and I will be praying to God for strength, knowledge and determination to do this.