GET ORDAINED IN OHIO
Do you want to officiate weddings in Ohio? Are you interested in helping couples on their big day? If yes, the Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance have a free online program. This program trains you to do different ministerial jobs, including officiating weddings.
OHIO'S STATE LAW
In Ohio, the laws about who can officiate weddings are in Section 3101.08 of the Ohio Revised Code. According to this, the people who can officiate weddings are:
- Ordained or licensed ministers of any religious society or congregation: Individuals who have received ordination or license from a religious denomination, society, or sect.
- Judicial officials: This category includes judges and retired judges of the Supreme Court, courts of common pleas, and county courts.
- Mayors: The mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies.
Becoming a wedding officiant in Ohio can create many opportunities for you. You can get trained and officially ordained by joining the free online program by the Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance. Once you do, your name is listed in the Christian Leaders Alliance Directory. This way, you can help couples on their special day.
EXPAND YOUR MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY
The Christian Leaders Institute (CLI):
We are thrilled to introduce the Christian Leaders Institute, a warm and welcoming online educational platform that provides free ministry and ordination training programs. Our mission is to make theological education accessible to individuals from all backgrounds, empowering them to deepen their understanding of Christianity and prepare for various ministry roles. Our comprehensive courses cover a wide range of subjects, including biblical studies, theology, church history, leadership, and pastoral care.
The Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA):
Through our partnership with the Christian Leaders Alliance, we offer an ordination program for individuals who have completed CLI’s training and courses. The Christian Leaders Alliance has been empowering ministers since 2014 and has ordained thousands of individuals. By joining CLA, you will receive formal recognition and authorization as an ordained minister, allowing you to perform weddings and other religious ceremonies in Alaska, in accordance with state law.
After you finish your training and get approval, your ordination details are held by the Christian Leaders Alliance in Spring Lake, Michigan. This makes it easy to keep track of your documents. Plus, you become part of the Christian Leaders Alliance Directory, making it easy for people to find and hire you for weddings or other church services.
GET STARTED AT CLI
GET STARTED AT CLI
To enroll in the program, follow these steps:
- Create a free study account with the Christian Leaders Institute and get familiar with the Study.christianleaders.org platform.
- Enroll in the Christian Wedding Officiant Skills course and commence your training.
- After completing the Skills course, you will enroll in the Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant Recognition Class. This class recognizes your online training and completes your ordination into a local geographic endorsement-based ordination credential. You will be listed in the Christian Leaders Alliance Directory, and you may order your ordination credentials. You are eligible to register a local ministry at a Soul Center.
VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES
Besides weddings, the Christian Leaders program also prepares you for other roles in the church. These roles can help you do different types of work within your community.
- Field Minister: This is for people with less time to study but a strong desire to do church work. The program offers free courses and mini-courses for lay ministers, church elders, and deacons.
- Licensed Minister: This is for part-time ministers who want more training. The program includes 13 study credits and six mini-courses to improve your skills.
- Coaching Minister: This is for people who want to use coaching methods in their ministry. This program has two free coaching courses. You’ll need to finish 15 credits and six mini-courses.
- Licensed Ministry Chaplain: This is for volunteer chaplains in local places like fire departments or veteran groups. This program requires 18 credits and six mini-courses.
- Ordained Minister: This is for people already doing ministry work or those who want complete training and credentials. This program includes 21 credits and seven mini-courses.
There are many ways to do ministry work in Ohio with the Christian Leaders Alliance. Whether you want to officiate weddings or take on other roles like Field Minister, Licensed Minister, Coaching Minister, Licensed Ministry Chaplain, or Ordained Minister, there’s a path for you. Learn new things, improve your skills, and make a difference in your community. Start your journey with the Christian Leaders Alliance and Christian Leaders Institute today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How is the Christian Leaders Institute funded? Christian Leaders Institute is funded through a “Give It Forward” Approach. Click here to read more.
Can I register my church or religious society under the banner of Christian Leaders Alliance? Yes. Locally registered Soul Centers are being register all over the world. Click here to read more.
Can I receive a College degree after I enroll at Christian Leaders Institute?
At Christian Leaders Institute, our college degrees are offered through our Leadership Excellence School. We provide access to both Associate Degrees and Bachelor Degrees. To begin our degree program, you must first enroll as a student in our School of Christian Development. Every student starts by creating a study account at the Christian Development school. Once you complete the “Getting Started” class, you can proceed to enroll in our Leadership Excellence School, where our degree programs are hosted.. Click here to set up you account.
This degree is ideal for those who desire to pursue their Master’s Degree with one of our partner Seminaries like North Point Bible College and Seminary, Kairos University, Calvin, Western, Northern, and more.
Christian Leaders Institute is your access or gateway many professional ministry opportunity.
My Redeemer Rescued Me
Greetings to all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I am P—Samuel Raj from India from Andhra Pradesh, East Godavari, Kakinada. I live in this place and speak Telugu. My childhood classmate Regina Reshma introduced me to the Christian Leaders Institute. The tuition-free minister leadership and Bible courses are a blessing as I serve in my church.
My Background
Born and raised in a Christian family, my parents are a godly couple and reflect Christ in their life. We are four in the family: my father, P. Lova Raju; my mother, P. Jyothi Raj; my younger sister, P. Deevena Blessy; and me. I was born in the year of 1998 on September 3.
My Journey to Christ
While I grew up, my mother was a gospel speaker. Every day and night, she shared the gospel before we slept. She led both my sister and me to have daily devotions. She encouraged us to read the Bible more as well. However, I was more interested in playing games. My mother warned us not to waste too much time playing. For that reason, we didn’t purchase a television until recently. Therefore, we often visited our neighbor’s home for cartoons and movies.
Then, I completed my 10th standard in my schooling. Distracted by worldly attractions, I started to drink alcohol. One day, my friend, his neighbor, and I drank too much and went out to the middle of the sea. We did not know what we were doing. We started drowning and struggled to save ourselves. The water was choking us, and we thought our life was over. But in my heart, I cried to the Lord for help. Miraculously, one giant wave hit us toward the land. We got to the beach! God saved our lives. The Lord’s mighty hand rescued us. That’s when I accepted the Lord Jesus as my Savior and started my spiritual journey.
Minister Leadership Courses at CLI
As I started my relationship with the living Christ, He blessed me and filled me with His Spirit in the church worship. As my mother dedicated me to the Lord in my childhood for His service, she told me it was an excellent time to study at a Bible College. Therefore, I prayed and went to theological studies in 2017 at Rehoboth Theological Institute in Kerala, India. By God’s grace, I completed my college requirements and prepared everything for graduation. Then, Covid-19 changed all our plans. The Kerala Government ordered us to go to our homes. In that time of emergency, we couldn’t have our graduation. However, the Lord had shown His Grace, and we graduated in 2021.
Then, the Lord placed me in a church. At present, I am working as an assistant pastor. I want to study more. So, I joined the Christian Leader Institute. These tuition-free online minister leadership courses are excellent and are changing my life! Thank you for this study opportunity!
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, and Diplomas with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- College Degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
- 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 Destiny Over Dysfunction
I am Denise Jones from the United States. I am a student in the Chaplaincy Minister Program at the Christian Leaders Institute.
Early Life
I am the oldest of seven children and raised under the Word of God. My father learned about Jesus and became fully immersed in the work of spreading the Good News. He dedicated his life to raising his family in daily worship at home and church. I enjoyed the benefit of Christian education, although I did not realize the significant economic sacrifice until later in life. I studied the Gospels in a Christian college where I finally received the love of God for me! That’s when I gave my life to Jesus. Serving the Lord Jesus Christ was my destiny from the beginning, and I had yet to walk in His purpose for me fully.
Challenges and Disruptions
My parents split up when I was 12 years old. The five oldest children left Maryland with my father to live in Louisiana for two years. Then we settled in Texas. The younger two siblings remained in Maryland with my mother. This reality caused emotional and spiritual scars for us all. Now that we have families of our own, we still prayerfully search for peace with our past and the separation between us.
I returned to Maryland at age 20. I married three years later, and we had a son who now has a family of his own. Although I hoped my marriage would remedy my childhood scars, somehow, the marriage failed. It was devastating. I fell into depression and lacked confidence. Eventually, I turned to the Lord, pleading with Him to give me the strength and resources to raise my son. He heard my cries!
Education and Ministry
I received my bachelor’s degree in business administration and had planned to pursue a master’s degree. However, all sorts of financial and personal disruptions occurred. Unemployed twice within a 20-year period, two different organizations laid me off– one downsized, and the other restructured its culture to appeal to millennials. Even so, I saw the hand of God moving me to my purpose.
In the meantime, I volunteered in my church and ministered to women who, like me, were shaken by life. After sharing my testimony with one person at a time, God impressed me with the need to start Bible study classes, coordinate small groups, and partner in a women’s ministry. My pastor observed my passion and requested that I become an elder in the church. Female leaders were underrepresented in a congregation with many women. He was confident that I was serious about feeding the flock.
Chaplaincy Minister Program
It is my desire to testify to other audiences the love and blessings the Lord gave me. He restored me numerous times when I experienced my lowest points. I searched for a Chaplaincy minister program that I could afford – which is not much. The Lord has called me to the next level – to serve the unchurched. There are so many who do not know about the love of God. My joy in finding the Chaplaincy Minister Program at Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) and Alliance (CLA) cannot be fully expressed.
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, and Diplomas with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- College Degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
- 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.