Joyously Serving Him
Hello, My name is Cate Scheland. This new journey of discovery in my life at Christian Leaders is a blessing. The Chaplaincy course of study is broadening my biblical knowledge and understanding.
I love serving the Lord here in the United States in sunny Florida. I have stumbled, sinned, asked for forgiveness, and hit “repeat” many times. Yet, God loved me and waited for me to be obedient. I testify that God is patient and has a great sense of humor.
My Story
I knew of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit because of my upbringing at a religious school and church. However, I have not always had a relationship with Him. I have family that loves Jesus and others that have turned away from Him. Our freedom allows us to hear hostile debates and rhetoric against the Bible and “All Scripture being God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Our belief in the Triune God is challenged daily through the different levels of media. We hear fewer good discussions about building a relationship with Jesus versus tearing it apart. Freedom is a slippery slope. Some of us belly-flop down that slippery slope and experience a bumpy, rough, abrasive, and hurtful landing. Yet, it just takes one low point in life, where you hit rock bottom and know that this is where you don’t want to stay. You cry out to God for help, and He picks you up and tenderly cares for you, His child.
Life Challenges
When I was 13, someone told me my mother would never go to Heaven because she committed suicide. What I knew in my heart and soul at that age was an academic God. Like English, religion was taught in school, which was my relationship with Him. Yet, I wanted to believe that God would never turn His back on my mom, who daily reflected Jesus through her loving, caring, dedicated, and compassionate actions. I am the product of my parents, who taught us that kindness, compassion, and manners cost nothing but can bring so much wealth when shared. I spent the next 10+ years of my life lost in grief and abuse and filled with sinful, ugly, poor life-altering choices for myself. That would begin my destructive years, eventually leading me to my reconstruction and my relationship with Jesus.
The next four decades were epic. I made three unevenly yoked choices, leading to married-abused, divorced, married 25 years, three daughters, divorced, married five years, widowed, married 18 months, divorced. It’s funny how God has revealed to me that I don’t have the best discernment in choosing relationships, except in the only one that matters. My relationship with Jesus grows exponentially, and I will never see divorce or death. Thank you, Jesus!
Chaplaincy Course of Study at Christian Leaders
I always told my daughters that I would never return to school. As I now know, never say never. I will go back to school for Jesus, and that is when I heard of Christian Leaders. I am a consummate volunteer for faith-based non-profits. One of the ministries serves our homeless and at-risk veterans to care for and nurture them. It is so fulfilling, and the blessing that I receive far surpasses the benefits that they receive.
A special event is held annually for this struggling group where I was asked to run the Chaplain’s tent area because I love to pray with people. God has placed this upon my heart, and I have committed to getting my Chaplaincy certification. I am grateful to CLI for offering this Chaplaincy course of study online because my many involvements keep me very busy. Therefore, it is a blessing to be able to study between them.
The one thing I want to remember is not how I served but that I was obedient. Because it is for His glory that I do, not mine. I look forward to many more years of serving the Lord and broadening my knowledge through the many courses offered by Christian Leaders. It is my plan for now. So that therefore, I am ready to serve when and where He calls me.
May we all live by 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18: “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” May God’s abundant blessings be seen daily in our world and your lives.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- College Degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
A Modern Day Jonah
My name is David. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute for further ministry training after running from God like Jonah for many years.
My Story
I grew up in a Christian family in the tiny Northland town of Kaikohe, New Zealand, and in the “big smoke” of Auckland. It feels like I’ve always had a relationship with Jesus. I was born again when I was eight and baptized in water and the Holy Spirit at 15. After a short time, I met a friend whose parents had a house church, so I attended there. I learned about the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy, tongues, and interpretation.
Then, one Wednesday night, I forgot that we, as a house church, were to see an internationally known ministry. So I arrived at an empty house. I went home and instead watched TV with the rest of the family. Then, I went to my room and read the book of Jonah.
My Dream
I had a vivid dream of being Jonah, running from delivering God’s message. I remember in the dream being on the boat during the storm and everybody throwing all unnecessary things off. They drew lots, and of course, the lot fell on me, so they asked who I was. I said, “I am a prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I’m running from Him.” As they threw me off the boat, my dream turned into a vision of Green Bay in Auckland.
I did a few years of ministering after that time in a range of settings: house church, youth leader, larger churches, on the streets, and in prison. But this is where my life parallels Jonah; I lost my way in ministry and life. I remained a Christian, but an unfulfilled one, knowing God had a call for me.
Running
I moved to Queensland, Australia, where many unfulfilled New Zealanders go to “find themselves.” I met a girl. We got married and have three children. However, I kept trying to find my place in all the wrong places. After many mistakes, my wife and I divorced. I continued on my downhill slide until I found myself in my car at the edge of a cliff. The engine ran as I contemplated driving off. “The world is better off without me,” I reasoned. The Holy Spirit wouldn’t let me do it, but that doesn’t mean my death wish was over.
Called by God and Further Ministry Training at CLI
Allow me to cut out some years in the belly of the big fish and say I am now 60 years old and living in Tasmania, Australia. While looking for a place to fellowship, I met a man who knew he was to pray for someone that day. So I allowed him to pray for me. Nothing dramatic happened, but I knew God touched me in a way I hadn’t known for some time.
Since I started attending that man’s church, I’ve heard God’s voice again, calling me to ministry. So, here I am for further ministry training at the Christian Leaders Institute. I want to go further in my ministry study than I did before and serve where God leads me!
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- College Degrees with the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.