My name is Godwin Friday Olaposi. I live in Nigeria. There are three major religions (Christianity, Islam and Paganism). You are allowed freedom of religion and freedom of worship here. Nigerian evangelism is not obstructed by the government or the public. One of our big obstacles is finances which makes Nigerian evangelism challenging. Institutions like Christian Leaders Institute that provide Free Online Ministry Training really help spread Nigerian evangelism to reach people for Christ. Paganism is also on the high side in my area where people claim to be Christians but yet get involved in fetish things. (The BBC reported the killing of 11 women in Nigeria in December of 2013).
I was born into a Christian family. My parents raised me pentecostal. We were brought up in living strictly by the Word of God. We did not drink, smoke or womanize. We also did not socialize with unbelievers in order to reach them. When I grew up I came to realize that Nigerian evangelism was my responsibility. I realized that a walk with God includes more than family and church. I attended a Holy Ghost night vigil in my local church where I received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues and since then I have never looked back in serving the Lord. My ministerial dream is to save as many souls to God as I can before I die. Included in that Nigerian evangelism goal is to be used by the Holy Spirit to perform apostolic exploits in deliverance and signs and wonders.
I see myself as an evangelist as a result of my calling as a deliverance minister. I am called to minister freedom to the children of God to those troubled by unclean spirits and to those afflicted with sickness and diseases that medical treatment fail to cure.
Nigerian Evangelism At Practical Levels
I decided to go into ministry to meet the needs of Christians who have spiritual problems, poverty, sickness, spiritual affliction and oppression. This was what I went through as a child. I went through financial stress without a clue as to what was expected in my hard work. I was introduced to a man of God, an evangelist/prophet who helped me understand what I needed to do to break generational pacts and to bring real changes to my life.
The unique challenges to Nigerian evangelism in my geographical area are real! Being a born again practicing Christian is very challenging because I live in an animist area of Nigeria where fetish activities are common. Many professed Christians join the pagans in the race for quick riches and wealth, thereby involving themselves in fetish rituals to acquire wealth. These things affect the faith of true believers in my area.
My local church, especially my pastor, made me realize and follow the call of God upon my life. They supported me both morally and financially in ministry and pursuit of Biblical knowledge. I thank God for my good wife supporting me in my ministry preparation. She ensures that she support me in prayers, in finance and organizing church activities with the church elders as well.
I need Christian Leaders Institute to acquire this priceless Biblical knowledge in order to learn and be proficient in the walk with God and effective in Christian ministry.
In conclusion, I also need the prayers of the Christian community to keep me focused on Nigerian evangelism that I work hard to win souls for Christ. I need prayers also that all resources needed to succeed in my ministry would be provided for me.
Many students come to Christian Leaders Institute to help them become pastors, youth leaders, or other leaders in the church. Others, like Tammy Wilson, join because they want to learn more about the gospel and how to become a better believer. Here is Tammy’s story.
Growing up I lived according to my family’s culture, we just lived for the each day no structure. Our mother spent a lot of time searching for love from men and trying to take care of her household. She
never married any of our fathers.
We left with our grandfather in a one bedroom cottage that had an outside toilet no shower; we had to heat water to take a bath in a tub. We move when it was time for me to go to high school the place was much bigger and we had our own room (me, my sister and brother). My older sister went to leave with my grandmother at that time.
We moved again into another two bedroom house until my mother just picked up and took my sister and brother to New Jersey to leave for about a year or so. I got my own apartment at the age of 19 year the landlord turned on my lights as I was under age at the time. I was working full time at the Bank, so I was able to take care of myself.
I used to have to take care of my sister and brother all the time as my mother worked late hours. I had to cook dinner and make sure the homework was done and make sure that where ready for bed before she got home. My father and I were never that close only because he drank and I wasn’t happy to see him most of the time. I loved him though; just wish that he lived to see my daughter. But know I know that he has seen her and has given her the name Starr. As this is what he called me when I was young.
I lived according to the way I was raised. I worked two jobs and was able to purchase my own car by the time I was 21. I partied with my girlfriends and enjoyed the worldly life. I got a boyfriend and lived to please him and after several years, I found myself pregnant with my daughter and things got hard for me then. He was seeing other women and they told him that my child was from someone else. He has treated me very bad, but I found that God gave me this child and I loved her some much. At this time I started to go to church and started to build a relationship with God.
I found that once I got home with her I had to move in order for me to be free from the problems that I caused for my life. I moved in with my uncle for a while until I got my own place where we could be comfortable. At that time I put my focus on caring for her and myself. I was still looking for love and feel in to a lot of hurt ship along the way. But I always got up and keep moving. I was able to purchase my own home and I feel good that I have been through these trials and tribulations that have allowed me to grow.
But one day I woke up. I was driving the car with some of my daughter’s friends when I cursed, and one of the girls said, ‘your mother is always cursing.’ At that point that I knew it was time to change my life. We were inviting to New Genesis by a co-worker of mine. The first time I went God spoke to me and I have never stopped going to church and believing that God loves us.
Know my daughter is on the praise team and I’m and usher and we are enjoying our time with God.
The reason I took this training was to enhance my knowledge of God word and be a better believer and leader.
Christian Leaders Institute is ready to help you become a better believer for life change. Check out stories of others who are growing in their faiths. To become a better believer you must have a commitment to humble yourself before the Lord and to become discipled like Tammy. Check out more stories at our Facebook page. Please like our page and share it with your friends.
Hello my name is Yvonne Adams from the United States of America. I am developing my ministry gifts at Christian Leaders Institute.
I am a native of Brooklyn, New York and a graduate of William H. Maxwell Vocational High School. I have made my home in Harrisburg since 2002. I am currently a Clerk Typist 3 for the Center for Community Services in PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development. I have been a commonwealth employee for more than 10 years.
I attend Grace & Mercy Church founded by Pastor Florence Abdullah where I teach Sunday school, serves on the Praise Team and as an Usher.
I grew up in the church and my grandmother would take me with her. Bible Study, Prayer Meeting, Revivals etc. As a young teenager there was something that touched me and I was persuaded to sing on the choir. Then I became the Sunday school teacher and eventually the Choir Director of my church in Brooklyn, NY. Of course like most teenagers I then wanted to experience what the world had to offer. I stayed that way until 2002 when I moved to Pennsylvania.
How I came back to the Lord was in 2005 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in my left breast. At first I was angry and couldn’t understand how I could get such a dreadful disease. I mean here I was in church serving as an Usher and singing on the praise team. When I asked God why me His response was why not you? He took me to the book of Job. In reading Job I realized that God sometimes allows Satan to attack us to see where our faith is at. I really started praying and reading the word and for the first time I really understood that I could count on His promises. I started to quote that by Jesus stripes I am healed. Now in 2014 I am 8 years cancer free. Bless His holy and magnificent name.
I know that I am called to perform a great and awesome work. I am not sure what it is yet but I know that it has something to do with Teaching. I enjoy teaching the word of God so much it really makes my heart smile. God has really been helping me to grow up in the salvation.
I sit up under a wonderful Pastor Florence Abdullah founder of Grace & Mercy church. We get a fresh word from her and it is truly God inspired. Since being under her I have been able to understand that I am not just here for my own selfish benefit it is to raise up other’s in their walk.
This scholarship would really help me to learn more and develop my ministry gifts that God has placed inside me. I am one who is always looking to learn something new. The word of God is like a jewel that I wear around my neck and proudly display. God is continuing to work in mines and my family’s lives.
I am not really all that good with words but what I have shared is from the heart I happy to receive this scholarship for me to develop my ministry gifts to help others. I will be in constant prayer because God had a very wonderful lady who attends my church give me the name of this school so I know that God is up to something.