Stuart Harrison –
“My name is Stuart Harrison, I am 30 years old and originally from Luton, England. I have been living in Romania for almost 5 years now and more specifically in a small town called Balan for one year. In Balan, I am seeking to share the gospel with those in the town, working mostly with teenagers and children as I feel God has gifted me and directed me.
“Christian ministry in Romania has many challenges. Certainly the older generations, and to some extent the younger too, have very strong stereotypes regarding people groups, such as the Roma Gypsies, and denominational groups, such as Orthodox and Pentecostal. For example, a person is Baptist or Pentecostal rather than simply a Christian. It is hard for integration between denominations to occur even though this would be of great value – especially in small towns such as Balan where true believers are few. Events done under the Orthodox banner are disapproved of by the Baptists and vice versa – even if they are done in a similar way and with the same overall purpose.
“In addition to this, Balan is situated in a Hungarian speaking part of the country. However, Balan itself is predominantly Romanian speaking. There can be hostility between the two cultures and also with Roma Gypsies. The gospel doesn’t know those boundaries. It is vital for all people groups and denominations (Orthodox and Catholic being the main two in Balan). The challenge is to share this all encompassing gospel message with all people and help them break down their stereotypes and misconceptions about religion.
“Personally, I was brought up in England in a Christian home. I went to a Baptist church – which I still attend when back in the UK and have some level of support from for the work I am seeking to do in Romania. I can’t give a specific date as to when I became a Christian. I know God worked in my heart in many stages as my understanding grew. However, for me the most significant period in my life for helping to establish my own personal faith in God would have to be my time at university. Leaving home at 18, I now had the choice – do I continue in my walk with God? If I do, which church should I attend and how should I be involved there? It was a challenge for me to see others who were clearly Christians, but who had a different understanding of some theological issues and practical ways that the Biblical truths should be applied to our lives. It was a significant time for me, questioning what I had been brought up to believe to confirm or otherwise that it was accurate to the Bible. I’m grateful to God, my parents and my church leaders that in many things I grew more confident that what I believed was true. In some issues, my views had to change to be more in line with what I felt God said in His Word – but here also, it only served to make me appreciate the Bible more and to make a more personal stand for my faith.
“Now, I want to continue to live out my faith for others to see. While I’m in Balan, I hope to live a life that honors God and is a faithful witness to those around me. I sense a great need in this town for a church that is not limited by a denominational stamp but that embraces only the truth of the Bible and where all people are welcome and valued. I would love to see many come to a true faith and not just be nominally Orthodox or Catholic. I would love to see them passionate to live out their faith and make a stand for God in this town. I would love to see a growing unity between believers from other smaller churches here – where they can work together for the cause of God’s kingdom.”
Stuart Harrison Receives a Scholarship
“I want to tap into sound, solid resources that will remind me, confirm in me, challenge me and further teach me Biblical truth and skills in sharing this. This is why I have enrolled on the CLI program and wish to study additional modules in the coming months and years.
“Please pray for wisdom! Pray for my personal walk with God to grow and be an example. Pray for the things mentioned above – that God would work in individual lives and use me to this end in any way He chooses. Pray for my practical need – language development, finances, health, companionship and partnership in the work of sharing the gospel.”
Lonnie Cooper –
“Ministry in the United States is relatively easy. The area of east Liverpool, Ohio, in which i live, is currently and predominantly Christian. There are, unfortunately, still people who are unbelievers or have “hardened their hearts” to the lord. Maybe they just haven’t seen what its like to live as a true christian.
“As for my own faith, I grew up without any faith or religious views. I was raised around anger, hatred, sin, and things of the world. I also grew to know these things. I was full of anger and hatred for everything, even fellowship with other people. Then, sometime in the early nineties, I met my wife Susan. She grew up to know Jesus and the word of God.
“One sunday, she asked me to join her for church services, but I made excuses not to go. That afternoon, while susan was at church, I stopped at a small roadside stand to get a bite to eat. I sat at the counter and placed my order. Shortly after, an older gentleman came in and sat right next to me. He could have sat anywhere, but he chose to sit next to me. This made me angry, so I got in this man’s face and called him some severe obscenities hoping for a fight. As I stood there waiting for a reply, he looked at me and said, “your parents (he named them personally) should have brought you up in a better environment. It’s never too late to receive Jesus.” He dropped a few dollars on the counter and went out the door. I was flabbergasted because I had never seen this man before in my life and never had again. After a few seconds, I ran out the door after the man because I had alot of questions to ask. The man was nowhere to be seen. The street was empty. In shock and confusion, I drove to church where the congregation was just getting out of worship. I started asking questions, and the pastor put an arm around my shoulder and answered the questions that I so desperately needed.”
Lonnie Cooper Receives a Scholarship
“My ministry dream is for every head to bow down and every person to worship the Lord and live godly lives. I would like to further my own knowledge and grow in the Lord.
“I would appreciate prayers that my ministerial skills be used to please the Lord. Also pray that I glorify the Father to spread the good news of the gospel and advance in my own knowledge.”
Lonnie Cooper grew up in a home that taught him a bad model for life. He had no interest in Christ, but now Lonnie Cooper is living proof that God can reach any heart! Lonnie Cooper has turned his anger-driven, bitter life around through the grace and power of God. Now he wants to help others do the same. A scholarship at CLI is just what Lonnie Cooper needs to accomplish his ministry calling!
[wp_dp ar=cli_mission_donor subint=both]
Shelly Depp –
“Hello my name is Shelly Depp. I have been married to the most wonderful husband for 21 years. We have four boys and twin daughters. Also I’m a minister’s wife. I am very grateful that God saw fit to prepare us for incredible ministry. I don’t know what lies ahead, but I do know that God will continue to lead us.
“My vision in ministry is to help hurting people. There is nearly a million children are abused each year in the United States, also those who are suffering from sexual abuse, the pain of abortion and other traumatic life events, both big and small. We all go through various trails and life difficulties. We need encouragement, support, love and compassion.”
Shelly Depp Receives a Scholarship
“Christian Leaders Institute will help me be more effective at evangelism, outreach, pastoral care, and missionary work. To make me become more powerful in my word and to help equip God’s people to do good works and build up the church is a grand opportunity. Jesus ask us to partner with him. Jesus asks us to do what he did through the power of the Holy Spirit, ” to preach Good News to poor and to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed” Luke 4:18.”
Shelly Depp has a ministry vision. She is called to minister to people who have suffered tragic events in their lives. Shelly Depp dreams of bringing the love of God to those who have experienced nothing but brokenness where they should have received love. She seeks a scholarship at Christian Leaders Institute to reach more of the suffering with the healing power of Christ.
[wp_dp ar=cli_mission_donor subint=both]