Phil Patterson Jr –
“My name is Phil Patterson Jr and I am currently a student at Christian Leaders Institute. I live in the United States and ministry is an awesome but at times challenging experience. The responses received are not always positive but it is still rewarding to know that I am a part of something positive and life changing. I came to know The Lord through Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and the teachings of a handful of pastors at the church. Through accepting Christ, baptism, getting involved in community groups and eventually different ministries within the church, I have grown spiritually and in many other ways.”
Phil Patterson Jr. Gets a Scholarship
“My ministry dream is to be able to use the different gifts that God has given me to continue to share the Gospel and reach people that normally would not be considered “reachable” by “normal” methods. Through my musical gift, I have reached more than I would have ever expected and it’s motivated me to continue in hopes of reaching even more people. Getting a scholarship at CLI is important to me because it would help with my ministry and the songs that I write. I would have a lot more biblical knowledge which would show through my lyrics and messages. I also feel it would help me grow in my personal life and spiritual walk.
“I always ask that others keep me and my ministry in prayer when it comes to the opportunities to share as well as me having the courage to write the messages that God wants me to share, even if I am nervous about the type of reactions I may receive. Also that the people who I am able to share with, would be willing to hear the message and that God would use me to plant the seeds in their hearts and minds.”
Phil Patterson Jr. is a musician who is on fire for Christ! He has a gift for music that he is already using to glorify God, but he found Christian Leaders Institute online and saw an opportunity to strengthen his witness! Phil Patterson Jr. has a dedication to God that drives him to always seek to honor God more in the gifts God gave him. We need men like Phil Patterson Jr. in the world of music, and Christian Leaders Institute is always ready to help train them in the knowledge and instruction of the Lord.
Alvaro Baquero Parra –
“My name is Alvaro Baquero Parra. I live in Colombia, South America. I believe that ministry in this country is very important because you could find a lot of christian people who love to serve with humility. The ministry in Colombia is reaching a lot of people with the precious and holy love of God. We will worship in this country in a new level of friendship with God.
“I came to God in the year 2006. He helped me a lot because I was really sick. I had a disease in my hands. Jesus is the most precious gift of love, so now I am free and I want to share the good news of salvation. I came to God because He has wonderful mercy on souls. I am sober now (I was an alcoholic), and I want to know more about his precious life.
“My ministry dream is to be a very good friend of God. I want to understand and practice the word of God. I want to worship with all my life and reach people for the wonderful glory of God our heavenly Father and Savior.”
Alvaro Baquero Parra Receives a Scholarship
“The scholarship at CLI is so important because I want to follow and understand the word of God. I want to become a Pastor and help people that do not know God. I want to prepare my life with a good study of the Bible, and I think that the scholarship is a perfect tool for these dreams.
Alvaro Baquero Parra has experienced the hand of God on his life. He has recovered from sickness and from alcoholism through the grace of God. Now Alvaro Baquero Parra wants to share the love and the saving power that turned his life around with others. He desires a scholarship to CLI so that he can increase in his knowledge of the truth.
Shane Norwood –
“My name is Shane Norwood, and I reside in beautiful, sunny (usually) Southern California, U.S.A. As a citizen of the United States I am blessed with the freedom to worship freely, but California presents unique challenges to those involved in ministry. California is home to the “Hollywood” culture, where Jesus Christ and those who believe in Him are mocked and ridiculed. Additionally, California is a very liberal state politically and socially. Our political leaders are strong supporters of same-sex marriage as well as other forms of immorality. Being against their agenda labels believers as bigots, intolerant, and “behind the times.” Obviously, this presents a tremendous challenge to Christian leaders and lay people alike.
“I came to know the Lord when I was 12 years of age while attending a Christian summer camp. The 10 plus years following my conversion were filled with confusion and frustration with my family church. Being very legalistic, they taught a doctrine that was not consistent with biblical teachings. Sadly, their misunderstanding of biblical interpretation caused me to drift away from church and my fellowship with God. It wasn’t until I became a police officer and met our police department chaplain that I received answers to all the questions I had about the teachings of my former church. I learned that the key to the Christian life is having a close, personal relationship with Jesus. He taught me that we honor Christ not only through actions which are pleasing to Him, but also through having a Father/child relationship with Him. That was the awakening I needed.
“As a result, my ministry dream is to become a police chaplain and eventually, God willing, a pastor. I have nearly 15 years of law enforcement experience and have lived the nightmares that face many officers. I have witnessed, first hand, officers and the citizens we serve enduring the tragic death of loved ones through suicide or murder. I have seen children suffering from sexual, emotional, and physical abuse. I have seen homes terrorized by alcohol abuse and domestic violence. I’ve seen lives destroy by addiction to drugs. I’ve witnessed teenagers pressured to join gangs and commit acts of violence in order to gain acceptance, and many other unspeakable evils. I am confident, through the power of Jesus Christ, that I can use my position to make a difference in the lives of those I come in contact with in the course of duty.”
Shane Norwood gets a Scholarship
“It goes without saying just how much a scholarship to CLI would mean to me. It would enable me to gain the knowledge and understanding needed to effectively witness. It would allow me to minister to and provide biblical insight into the trials and tragedies faced by those I serve. A scholarship provides the donor with a unique opportunity to have a direct impact on the lives of my brothers and sisters in law enforcement. Police officers are unique in the sense that they often do not admit emotional, spiritual, or physical weakness. Ministry training would enable me to reach out to law enforcement officers. It would also allow me to offer them godly advice and counsel on the unique, private issues that often negatively affect them. Additionally, it would allow me to gain wisdom and knowledge that will enable me to better serve the community in my capacity as a law enforcement officer.
“I ask that you pray for all law enforcement officers around the world. Pray that God sends His angels to guard them from harm. Nearly every single day, a law enforcement officer in the United States gives the ultimate sacrifice during his or her service to their individual communities. Last, I especially ask that you pray for the people we as law enforcement officers serve. Pray for Christ’s intervention in the prevention of crime; ask Him to bring broken families back together, and, most importantly, pray for His protection over the innocent children who often have no one they can trust for guidance and love.”
Shane Norwood is a police officer who sees a brutal world, but Shane Norwood is also more than that. He is a Christian police officer who sees a brutal world that needs the love of Christ more than ever. Even more, Shane Norwood sees his position as a means to bring that message to them, and he has chosen to pursue his calling by attending Christian Leaders Institute. With a scholarship to Christian Leaders institute, Shane Norwood will have a unique opportunity to reach people for Christ who others will never encounter.
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