Edwin Bezuidenhout –
“My name is Edwin Bezuidenhout, I am a 45 year old South African of Dutch descent, living in Munster on the South Coast of KwaZulu Natal.
“I was raised and grew up attending a Dutch Reformed Church, and therefore have a very good knowledge of the Bible; but I did not have a personal relationship with the Lord. One day, at a very young age, after a Church service; a retired Reverend who was wheelchair bound, motioned that I should come to him. From amongst all the children who were busy playing in the garden, he had singled me out. He told me that GOD wanted me to do something very important for Him, and the Reverend asked me if I would do what GOD asked me to do for Him. I replied that I promised that I would do what GOD asked me to do for Him. The Reverend then placed his hands on my head and shoulder and prayed for me and spoke a blessing out over me. (I was 7 or 8 years old at the time, but this memory is still so clear to this day, that it feels just like yesterday).
“Ever since I met my wonderful wife in 2001 and we got married to her in 2002, GOD became a reality in my life. I have developed a personal relationship and walk with GOD, and I know that GOD has a calling on my life, He just hasn’t yet shown me exactly what it is. I know that whatever GOD`s calling on my life is, He has prepared, formed and molded me, and I am ready to lay down my life for my Lord and Savior, to do what He has called me to do for Him.
“Although we have eleven (11) official languages in South Africa, the language most commonly used in business is English. The only obstacle that there is, is that a translator is required when ministering to black people in rural areas, where they mostly only speak their native language. The other challenge is that these areas are sometimes very remote and do not have electricity or running water. The people live in very poor and sometimes squalid conditions, but receive you and the Gospel with joy.
“My local Church is involved in the community teaching the Gospel, going on outreaches, Church planting, youth mentoring as well as having a successful full time recovery centre for rehabilitating people with drug addictions. My Pastor is my mentor and a friend who passionately shares the Gospel with love and fully supports me getting actively involved in Ministry.
“As a father I have seen how our daily family Bible reading and prayer devotional time has drawn us closer together as a family as we get closer to GOD. It encourages me when I hear how our children pray, that they fully understand what I am teaching them, and that they each have a personal relationship with GOD.”
Edwin Bezuidenhout Receives a Scholarship
“A scholarship at CLI is very important to my calling as I am a self employed Architect with a young family, and I do not have the time, nor the finances to be able to study on a full time basis. CLI is ideal for me as it allows me to study at my own pace from home, without any financial obligations. I believe that CLI`s teaching is biblical based, founded on Jesus and that it is correct and accurate.
“Please pray for me that I am fully equipped and ready to do that which GOD has called me to do for Him, and that He will show me what my calling is.”
Edwin Bezuidenhout has a heart for the Lord. When he was young, Edwin Bezuidenhout was told that God had something in store for him involving ministry. Now, years later, Edwin Bezuidenhout has felt the personal calling of the Holy Spirit to go into the ministry. Even without knowing what ministry God is calling him to, Edwin Bezuidenhout is taking steps to equip himself to be a faithful steward of whatever the Lord has in store. Edwin Bezuidenhout is seeking a scholarship at Christian Leaders Institute to that end.
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Rodassa McClinton –
“Hello my name is Rodassa McClinton. I live in the United States of America. My ministry here is awesome, but then I have nothing to compare it to. One thing that I can say is that, we use technology to the fullest. We are without excuse when it comes to witnessing and spreading the gospel. With the use of the internet and other live streaming methods, we are able to broadcast our services live to whoever wants to join in.
“I came to know the Lord in 2009 after moving to Florida from New York. I have to admit that I had no intentions on joining any church or proclaiming Jesus as my Lord and personal savior, but to God is the glory that His plan for me was far better than anything that I could ever imagine.
“When I think about my ministry dream, I often wonder “what is it that God would have me to do”. Then as I was sitting and thinking one day on my past, and some of the experiences that I had, it came to me that God knew that I needed to go through certain things in order for me to give my testimony of how great He is, and to be able to minister to others. With that, my dream is to start out teaching and preaching to youth. I would love to have a young girl’s ministry, ministering to pre-teen girls up to 25. After that and as the Lord sees fit, I would like to preach to all ages.
“I had two words in mind that I think that best suit me, and those are, Pastor, and Youth Leader. I chose Youth Leader for obvious reasons; I am the youth director at my local church. I chose Pastor, because that’s my desire. Putting them together would be awesome too! Youth Pastor. Sounds good to me, but we will just have to see where God would have me to go.
“The key experience in my life that prompted me to pursue ministry, I would have to say, was bad choices that I have made, and wanting to share those choices and the consequences I have faced from them with other people, ideally young girls.
“One of the challenges in the area where I live is that there are a lot of churches. In fact, there is typically a church on every corner. Now you may think, what is the problem with that? Well although there is a church on every corner, the churches tend to separate themselves from each other, instead of coming together for the good of the people, especially the lost ones. This generally starts a “service war”, where each church tries to outdo the other with different types of services.”
Rodassa McClinton Receives a Scholarship
“Receiving a scholarship at CLI would help me more than words can say. I am not financially in a place where I can afford to pay for this type of education on my own, so receiving this scholarship will help me to further my education so that I can do ministry effectively.
“Please pray my strength in the Lord that I may go and do His will. Not my own, but His.”
Rodassa McClinton came to know the Lord 4 years ago, and in that time she has become a youth director in her church. Rodassa McClinton dreams of taking the next step, though. Because of her desire to reach out to the young girls and younger women in her community, Rodassa McClinton has a ministry dream of becoming a youth pastor. In pursuit of this vision, Rodassa McClinton seeks a scholarship at Christian Leaders Institute, where she can be equipped in the knowledge of the word without the costs of traditional seminary.
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“My name is Pastor Russ Atter, and I am currently seeking assistance for my continued education through Christian Leadership Institute.
“I currently live in the United States and am involved in a couple different types of ministry. My wife and I operate a non-profit Christian Coffee Shop/Ministry. We are so grateful that we can openly share the gospel with those in need. We primarily serve individuals who may have issues with substance abuse, past incarceration, past abuse, homelessness, poverty, etc. Though we are available for anyone in our community. I also am a pastor at a local church, where I utilize my experience in our ministry to help people in crisis.
“I did not grow up in a Christian home, and came to know Christ when I was 18 years old. I was violently sexually abused as a child, and attempted suicide several times. One week after my last suicide attempt someone shared Christ with me. It was nothing short of an amazing conversion. My life has not been the same since. I met my wife in the church, and after 23 years of marriage we continue to serve God together. We have a lovely 18 year-old daughter.
“Our coffee shop/ministry is located in an area of our community that has a high poverty and crime level. God has protected us in the 7 years that we have been in operation with no crime or injury towards our ministry. Our community in general is moving closer and closer to recognizing their necessity for God. Even governmental agencies turn to us for help, because they see the success rate that we have had in working with individuals with substance abuse issues or aftercare assistance we provide to people recently out of incarceration. There is a large university in our community, and we feel that the students are the hardest to reach.
“There are several churches in our community that support our ministry financially or in other ways; such as people resources, food for our pantry, coats, hats, gloves, boots, and blankets for the homeless. We are the missionaries in our local mission field. My church has fully backed and supported our endeavors in our ministry.
“I am blessed that I have the privilege to be in ministry with my wife. She is a big part of the day-to-day operations of our coffee shop. It is amazing to see what God has done in our view of we are called to do… Neither of us would have ever guessed that we would be knee deep in ministering to the most difficult people of our community. We believe as Christ showed; go to the sinner, the sick, and the need; minister to them.”
Russ Atter Receives a Scholarship
“A scholarship at CLI is important to me, as I want to continue my growth in Christ as well as better equip me for what He has called me to do. We live on a limited income, as we do not take a salary from our ministry. Every dollar that is given is returned to the ministry. Therefore, it is difficult for me to afford tuition to continue my education.
“Prayer is always needed in any ministry. We ask for prayer for workers to help with the harvest. God is bringing us many people to minister to, and we have so few workers. We also ask for prayer that God will continue to bless the ministry with resources to help those in need.”
Russ Atter came to Christ after a childhood that was filled with hardship and abuse. After many work experiences, Russ Atter came to his current ministry which he and his wife run. With this coffee shop and ministry, Russ Atter seeks to help those living in poverty, living in addiction, living with abuse, homeless, and past incarceration. However, Russ Atter opens his doors to everyone who is willing to come and hear about God. Because Russ Atter does not take a salary from his own non-profit, a scholarship from Christian Leaders Institute is important to him for continuing to be better equipped with the knowledge of our Lord and the Bible.
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