American Ministry Student James Brunette has finished his Christian Basic Certificate. Listen to his testimony.
My name is James Brunette, an American ministry student at Christian Leaders Institute.
I live in the United States of America.
(Twentynine Palms, California).
And as you may know, living here we are very free to express our religious beliefs openly. While there are an uncountable number of denominations, I believe the Holy Bible is the key to the truth of Gods word & desires for
us in this lifetime. For me, the biggest problem here is the separation of church & state>>as they put it<<. I have hope that some day this will end & we can begin to allow God to lead our Country again.
American Ministry Student Bio
I am 51 years old and have been married to my wonderful wife (Julie) for 33years. We have four children, and eleven grandchildren.
American Ministry Student Spiritual Bio
I believe I came to Christ the first time as a very young child. I was baptized shortly after birth and feel that the Holy Spirit began working in me and on me at that time. I’ve always known of the voice inside
trying to guide and advise me as I was growing up, but was not a part of any church with my family. I have always had an interest in the Bible too. But never really got to know the Lord until after marriage and children were in my life as well.
It was probably around the age of 27 that we (my wife & I) fell into Drug addiction and eventually became homeless. My Wife saw that the drugs where very bad and quit on her own after just a short time, but I was not as smart. I just kept right on going. She didn’t give up on me though…Praise God! It was through homelessness that we finally came to realize that we needed God in our lives. Julie (my Wife) started going to a local church for help with food & even rent sometimes. She had been attending for a while and eventually talked me into joining her. We both re-dedicated ourselves to Christ through that church, but at different times. Julie first, then me a few months later. I started attending “The Southern California School of Evangelism” and completed one semester there when some issues arose at our church partially due to my decision to attend that school. At that time we
(Julie & I) were offered a position in another town for work, and we felt that God was calling us to do it.
So we moved out to the desert. Julie quickly found a church to attend but I was not as accepting after what had just happened at our last one. Our walk with God had been very sporadic to say the least. We again moved for work and are now living in Twentynine Palms, and we are finally now getting involved with a local church again. We are still very new there but look forward to a long relationship with them. And I should add that we have started a Daily walk with God since I started at CLI, working on our “Connections” with God together. This is something we have never done together before,
So we have had to, and are still overcoming some of the “walls” too…together.
American Ministry Student – My ministry dream:
My dream is that someday I will be a “Good” pastor for a small church. I’m not looking to make money at it, but just to be able to do Gods work in the Battle that goes on in our daily lives & to help others to do the same. Keeping God in the for-front of our lives and learning to be guided by the Holy Spirit in all that we experience. I want to teach other people to have a “daily walk with God” so they too can come closer than they ever thought possible to the glory that he offers. And to help them realize the awesome glory that awaits us in heaven when we are truly saved and put our faith in Jesus Christ as our savior.
American Ministry Student Vision
Yes I keep having this vision of a small church building that is in major disrepair.
I have seen it once in person and I believe that God keeps showing it to me. It is the only church building in a town that was once a very popular stop along the famed route 66, but has since become almost desolate. And is hopefully on it’s way back to being a community again.
I feel that God is showing me this as a goal for me to someday re-build the building and the church and to possibly be the Pastor of that church.
I guess I most identify with the word “Pastor”
The idea of being a Pastor has always been on my mind it seems. Even as I was growing up I felt a desire to be that person. I can remember looking up to them as a place I could never reach. But now, I feel much different about that. I have come to a point in my life, through the grace of God, where it now seems to be well within my reach and that is where I intend to go. PRAISE GOD!
I must say though, The concept of ‘Church Planting” is sounding very interesting to me. I think the “Key” experience for me was my time of disability.
While I am still disabled, my condition is much improved since I have seriously decided to pursue online ministry training. It has been for me more of a series of events than just one. And it was during this “sickness” that these types of events came to light for me.
Sadly, I’ve gone through most of that time without much connection with God.
It has been quite a battle!
I’ll try to explain…
When you are very sick & unable to participate in normal life, you do a lot of thinking about the past and what you’ve done with your life. I began to realize that I hadn’t really done very much at all that has any meaning. And that most of what I have done has been full of problems and difficulties that seemed unreal sometimes. Well, this all really came to light recently, with things like looking for a way to earn money, even though I am sick.
Nothing but problems, even with playing games and stuff. Well, after getting frustrated for a time, I finally started to talk to God about it. Praying and listening, listening and praying.
The same notion kept coming through…”I keep trying to do the wrong things” “Get back to God and studying for your ministry”. Plus He keeps showing me that broken down church building.
And, as I said earlier, being a Pastor has always been an inkling for me. And more recently I guess I just assumed (after looking a little on the internet for a school) that you will need a big church behind you with a lot of people and a lot of money to get any kind of training.
Then God connected me with CLI. A perfect match!
Our local church:
Due to my disability we have not been able to attend a church regularly. But since coming back to the Lord and beginning with the ‘Getting started” coarse, and learning how to have our “solo” and “couples” walk with God, my health has improved to the point that we are now seeking the right one for us. And after a short look, we think we have found it. They hold the Holy Bible to be the solemn word of God and the Pastor backs everything with scripture. I feel that the Pastor and all the people there will be very supportive in my ministry training. We (my wife and I) are very excited to find
them and are looking forward to becoming members.
My wife (Julie) is completely supportive of my decision to start ministry training.
I think she is more excited than I am about it because she has waited a long time for me to come around to God again, and looks forward to our future together with God at the center of everything we do.
A scholarship for CLI will mean everything to my ministry.
They offer much of the training I need to get me on the path of my ministry. In fact, I have already learned some things from CLI that has answered some important questions I have personally had regarding my connections with God and Jesus and prayer. Also, confirming some of my ideas
about the Holy Spirit, and more. I thought it would be impossible for me to get quality Pastoral training. Being disabled limits me to on-line training to begin with.
Plus, all of the schools I had looked at before CLI required things that I just couldn’t provide. I praise God for giving me this opportunity. And give great thanks to all of those who donate and make this
possible for people like me.
I will ask that you pray for my ministry training to glorify God in every way.
Pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide my marriage and help us to keep God at the center of our life.
South Africa Ministry Training – South African Christian Leaders Institute student Juanita Van Heerden is called to bring God’s love to those victimized by human trafficking. Time Magazine online wrote, “The sex trade is fueling human trafficking in South Africa with experts estimating that 30,000 children are being trafficked every year. Half of them are under the age of 14.”
Juanita is 28 years old. She is bold for Jesus. She is receiving South Africa ministry training online at CLI. She has received her Christian Basic Certificate and is now taking more classes for more advanced ministry training. She has given her life to this calling. She so appreciates the opportunity to receive advanced ministry training.
“South Africa ministry training is available to me online and it will equip me to share the gospel with people who have been trafficked to South Africa from all over the world, who have never heard of Jesus before. And in receiving this valuable training, I will also know more about the Bible in-depth, and will therefore be able to answer questions to newly converted Christians who have many questions about the Bible.”
I asked Juanita what sparked her calling to work with those harmed by human trafficking. She wrote, “I will tell you though what sparked the flame in my heart to go in this direction. But beware, it is not a nice story, and I pray that you will be able to take the good from this. If you are sensitive I advise you not to read ahead” She detailed for me the plight of a child who experienced such cruelty.
Juanita explained the nature of ministry to those so poorly treated. She said,
“Ladies who work on the streets and brothels are very scared to admit that they want to get out, because their pimps threaten to kill them and their families. Fear is the main weapon they use against these girls and women. When women are either rescued or escaped from trafficking situations, and get to a shelter, a very long process starts. Men who have mistreated them and used them only for their own advantage have lied to them for so many years.”
Her story makes me so motivated to offer South Africa ministry training to help people in this beautiful country.
Juanita loves her training. She said, “Through the teachings and readings, I am taught (and will be able to teach others) how certain stories from the Bible apply to our life today. I will preach liberty to the captives! Halleluiah!”
South Africa Ministry Training Is Available Free for Anyone with Internet Access
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Can anyone be changed without a touch from GOD?
And these went with Him a band of men whose heart’s GOD had touched” 1 Samuel 10:2.
According to this verse no man can accomplish GOD’s WILL without being touched by HIM.
To touch generally means to make a physical contact with someone or something. In so far as GOD is being Spirit how does that touch occur? A touch from GOD deals both with the physical and the spiritual, the changes produced by this touch take place within one’s spirit and are reflected on the outside.
The conversion of Paul is a very relevant example for the understanding of GOD’s touch as much as it illustrates the definition given higher up. GOD touched Paul both physically and spiritually. Acts 9:28 relates the story of how Paul who was formally Saul has been converted by GOD’s touch of both his spirit and his sight. Just as the band of men was submitted to GOD’s will after being touched by HIM, Paul experienced this same divine touch.
Anyone who desire transformation, who is yearning to work for GOD , who seek for healing, who strives to obey Him faithfully cannot fullfill neither one of these desires without recieving a powerful touch from GOD. Therefore we ought to be ready and position ourselves in order to receive this DIVINE TOUCH.
The word touch contains five letters. It refers to one action but each letter symbolises an attribute of GOD’s DIVINE TOUCH
I) The touch of GOD T-ransforms
A) The touch of GOD brings forgiveness of sins to those who repent and believe. It also brings cleansing and power to those who yield themselves totally to GOD.
B) The transforming touch of GOD renews everything concerning us: We recieve a NEW LIFE in JESUS CHRIST, a NEW HOPE of everlasting life, NEW DESIRES and NEW ACTIVITIES
2 Corinthians 5:17 declares «If any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature”
II) ….O-rdains
A) A considerable number of Christians are unsuccessful due to the fact that they do not work for GOD. For some, witnessing to those who are unsaved in order to gain their soul for CHRIST, is a task reserved to Ministers only.
B) However the touch of GOD Ordains all Christian into GOD’s service. We all are mediums which could be used by GOD to share a smile, a helping hand, a prayer.
“I have …ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit” says JESUS CHRIST himself in the book of John 15:16
III)…. U-unifies
A) A great aggregate of denominations fail, for the people forming part of them work in division, they are torn apart thus, they work in different directions.
B) Therefore the touch of GOD brings harmony and love and enables us to accomplish HIS will in “the unity of the spirit” (Ephesians 4:3)
“How good it is for brethren to dwell together in Unity” says David a man after GOD’s heart Psalms 133:1
IV) ….C-onquers
A) Much Christians quit too easily, they lower their arms and give up whenever they’re persecuted, rebuked or whenever they fail to get their own way.
B) Whereas the Touch of GOD gives us courage to conquer, CHRIST provides us with the strength which enables us to persevere and endure.
Romans 8:37 “We are more than conquerors through HIM that loved us.”
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through HIM that strengthens me.”
V) ….H-eals
A) A great many of people have never experienced divine healing due to lack of faith. In fact we cannot suppose that we can please GOD or even receive any blessing from HIM if we don’t first of all trust HIM. Paul statement in Hebrews 11:6 is the best example to illustrate this argument: «By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death.”
B) The touch of GOD allows physical, mental and spiritual healing. We can have this Devine experience by reading HIS word, praying unto Him, believing in HIM, accepting and obeying HIM. Matthew 9:29 says: “Then he touched their eyes saying, “According to your faith be it done.”
Matthew 8:3 “And JESUS put HIS hand and touched him.”
GOD’s touch is essential in any and every individual’s life. The Bible declares that no man can come to GOD if he isn’t draw by the Spirit. In other words this signifies that its GOD touch that saves us and gives us eternal life. No man can accomplish GOD’s will if he isn’t first touch by GOD. Experiencing the touch of GOD enables us to understand who He is and gives us faith in Him.