Fleashia Ford is currently enrolled in several Bible school classes at Christian Leaders Institute. She has also completed some classes, and many of these classes ask the students to share what they have learned. In her reflection paper on Church and Ministry, Fleashia says “I will forever utilize what I learned about evangelism in this course. I’ve come to know and believe that sharing the Word of God is what ministry is all about. Teaching and sharing with people what Jesus has commanded. In order to do this you have got to know the Word for yourself and this comes through study, prayer and meditation.” She later says, “Finally I thank you for touching on hospitality. In our African American Culture it is more common for members to be hospitable toward the Pastor and family. But we too have to hospitable and approachable to people. ” These are two areas of this Bible school course that will have a lasting impact on her ministry.
While our Bible school brings the information to students, it is the Holy Spirit that teaches them what they need to learn for their ministry. One thing that the Holy Spirit wanted Fleashia to discover in Pastoral Care and Marriage was the importance of conflict. She writes, “Conflict can turn into a wild fire and destroy lives, witness and testimonies. The bible says that the tongue can do a lot of damage and cause a lot of destruction. We have wild fires here in Oklahoma , especially in these times of drought. If a wild fire is not dealt with property, live stock and lives can be lost. Well this applies to the spiritual realm as well. Every wild presents opportunities for ministry and conflict resolution. How you deal with the conflict directly determines the outcome. If you don’t deal with the wildfire in the right way you can cause even more problems. But if you deal with the conflict God’s way you can bring peace and blessings instead of further destruction. That is why it’s important to keep a close walk with God in His word and in prayer.”
Online Bible School Certificates
To enroll in the Bible school classes on which Fleashia is reflecting, she first had to obtain the CLI Christian Basics Certificate. This orientation to the Christian Leaders Institute online Bible school structure also asks students to talk a little about themselves and their ministry dreams. In her introductory letter, Fleashia “My dream is to continue with the great commission of Jesus, preach the word in season and out, and help my Husband who is a pastor to win lost souls.” It is this dream that caused her to pursue Bible school. Her pursuit of a quality Bible School led her to Christian Leaders Institute, which provides a quality Bible school experience without expense to the student.
[wp_dp ar=cli_mission_donor subint=both]
At a Bible school like Christian Leaders Institute, it is important to see the impact of courses offered on the students. For this reason, many of the classes have a final reflection paper where students reflect about what the class has taught them and what they consider important. Jeff Ulrich – a Bible school student who lives in America – reflected on the impact of the class “Church and Ministry.”
One recurring theme in his reflection on the experience with this Bible school class is confidence. As Jeff talks about the funeral portion of the course, he says, “The funeral service prep and how to write a funeral service was very informative. It makes me feel a lot more confident on doing funerals.” Later, when reflecting on the portion of this course dealing with marriage, he says, “I don’t know how many weddings I have attended but didn’t really know how to create a service. This was invaluable information. I feel very confident in being able to perform a wedding now.” Both of these statements are coming from a man who has been doing ministry in America for 25 years. The quality of CLI’s Bible school curriculum can be seen in this testimony.
Bible School Certificates
Jeff Ulrich began his journey at Christian Leaders Institute like any other student, by obtaining the “Christian Basics Certificate.” The Christian Basics Certificate is earned through completion of the Getting Started course. This course serves as a student orientation to this Bible School structure and community. In this class, students are asked to write a few paragraphs about their Christian journey and how it led them to this Bible school. In his testimony, Jeff shares his vision for a community driven church.
“My dream for ministry is to start a church that has a strong community base with a message of grace but not lacking in preaching and following the truth. When I look at the book of Acts I see how close they were as a community. I feel like that is really lacking today. People are starving for human interaction. It also has to be based on prayer and the Holy Spirit. When I look at a lot of churches today I don’t see the Holy Spirit working in a dramatic way like he did in the book of Acts. That power is alive and well today if we have the passion and desire to listen and obey His voice.”
What drove Jeff Ulrich to the Christian Leaders Institute Bible school model was a powerful dream for churches in America. He recognizes that the power of the Holy Spirit is central to anything in the building of the church, but He also knows that a great Christian community is just as key to bringing the kingdom of God in America today back to the biblical model. His pursuit of the ministry has brought him to the online Bible school, where he can be equipped with the knowledge to further his ministry.
[wp_dp ar=cli_mission_donor subint=both]
“I am born and raised for the most part in the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. My parents are originally from the Caribbean, which was part of the Dutch Kingdom for many years (some Islands still are) The Netherlands from origin is a country with Protestant Christian faith and values. Over the last 50 years many immigrants from various countries settled here. Bringing their cultures, traditions and believes with them. Christianity in the Netherlands therefore evolved in to various denominations. It could be compared with the US. Everyone is free to express there own faith and believe as they wish.
“I first gave my life to Jesus when I was 8 years old, after I saw a movie in church at Sunday class. My mother always raised us strict and with biblical values. But it wasn’t until I was 19, I really understood what it was to have a relationship with God.
“I’ve led the Evangelist group at my former church and was a Youth Leader for 4 years. Combining those two ministries, I had the privilege to witness to many young teens. Leading them to salvation.
“I always was convinced that the position you have in life, in your neighborhood, family or occupation is the first place of ministry (unless you are full-time in ministry of course). So for me at the moment being a pilot, I witness to colleagues as much as I can if able. Especially in my occupation with a nice status and income, many don’t believe they need a savior in their life. When digging a little deeper, they all have the same problems and pain as all other humans living on earth. They need Jesus.
“The vision of my local church Dominion Centre, is raising sons for Kingdom impact. It could be compared with the 7 connections, mentioned in the getting started class. Our church supports any member with a calling, talent, heart for ministry and helps them develop it where possible. I am easy with words (writing), so I have been writing for our church paper and now I will be more involved in the whole process of development. As of next school year I will be involved in youth ministry as well.”
Hubert Jansen Receives a Scholarship
“A scholarship will greatly improve my getting more understanding and getting more knowledge in Gods Word. Becoming more effective, combining life experiences and a thorough knowledge of how God works and moves to built His Kingdom.
“Prayer is always welcome. More clarity and direction in how my wife’s calling and mine combine. Because of our past and many broken marriages and relationships everywhere, this is a ministry that has come in to my thoughts and heart as of lately.”
Hubert Jansen believes in starting your ministry impact wherever the Lord has placed you. With this goal, Hubert Jansen began his own ministry impact in the community of pilots with which he worked. Since then, Hubert Jansen has increased his ministry impact to include the readers of his church paper and the youth. Yet Hubert Jansen recognizes that his ministry impact for the Lord could be much greater. In pursuit of an increased ministry impact, Hubert Jansen seeks a scholarship at Christian Leaders Institute, where he can receive the training necessary to take his ministry impact to the next level.