A Journey of Redemption, Healing, and Ministry
Hello everyone, my name is Mark Gootee, and I am from Carmel, Indiana, in the United States of America. I am completing my college degree in Organizational Leadership Supervision at Purdue University and enrolled in Christian Leaders Institute. It is a true blessing to be a student at Christian Leaders Institute with its biblical teachings and principles. The online platform is comparable to any local or traditional college in my area. It seamlessly integrates into my college curriculum.
From Doubt to Faith
My spiritual journey began at an early age when I was born into one religion, only to have my parents switch to a different one when I was seven. Throughout my teenage years, I attended seminary and later served on a two-year church mission in Korea. However, after my mission, I joined the military and gradually distanced myself from the church.
During my military service, I experienced multiple wars that left me questioning the existence of God. I battled my demons and endured physical pain, mental trauma, and what felt like a spiritual death.
Rediscovering Faith and Purpose
In my recovery process, the Lord showed me that even though I turned away from Him, He never left me. Slowly, seeds were planted that led me back to the Lord. There, I repented and began a new journey of faith. My spiritual dream is cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, I will know God on a profound level and share His love while actively contributing to the expansion of His kingdom.
Curiosity, Humility, and Divine Love
I was genuinely curious about other religions and their beliefs throughout my early years. However, my parents’ prohibition stifled this curiosity. I yearned to explore various denominations that claim exclusivity, each asserting to be the one true church.
The humbling events in my life revealed my need for Christ. They showed me that regardless of my past sins, Christ welcomes me back with open arms. During the healing process, I understood God’s unwavering love and presence.
A Reawakening and a Call to Ministry
I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord at an early age. However, it wasn’t until I returned from my period of straying that His significance truly resonated with me. Thus began my journey of embracing faith, restoring hope, and building God’s Kingdom.
I aspire to use my Christian Leaders Training to minister to others who have gone through similar struggles and experiences. I want to proclaim the message of the gospel. Jesus Christ paid for our sins, conquered death on the cross, and paved the way for our redemption and reunion with God through His resurrection. Hallelujah!
A Debt-Free Biblical Teachings and Principles
The opportunity to receive free training through Christian Leaders was instrumental for me. Having used my military benefits for education, I am grateful to pursue my calling to ministry without incurring any debt. A scholarship for training is a tremendous support, allowing me to focus wholeheartedly on serving God and His people.
By God’s grace, I am committed to embracing faith, restoring hope, and building His kingdom through ministry. I am excited to embark on this transformative journey, guided by the biblical teachings and principles I get through Christian Leaders Institute.
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.
Sorrow into Joy in Christ
I am Bethany Looyenga from the USA. I am studying ministry and coaching at the Christian Leaders Institute.
My Story
My story begins as a young child living in a home with a single mother and three brothers. I am the youngest in my family. We grew up in a legalistic church that never mentioned words such as “Grace” or “Holy Spirit.” Constantly plagued with the fear that God would erase my name from the Book of Life, I struggled to be good. I learned to shut up and do as I was told, which included sexual abuse from my brother and being “loaned” out to other men by my mother. I learned to live in a world inside my own mind to cope with the life I lived.
At the age of 15, I went to a private academy and lived in a dorm. I was a fish out of water and had no idea how to live in a world with other kids my age. God brought an older woman into my life that mentored me, loved me, and showed me how a mother loves. She listened to me, fed me, and was very patient with me.
My Journey to Ministry and Coaching
I married at the young age of 19 and started a family at 21. Because of my past, life was a struggle. I lived in victimhood and didn’t realize God wanted more for me. After my third son was born, I sought help from a therapist, only to discover, after several years, that even therapy was not a safe place for me.
My family and I did find a church that fed our desperate need for God. Both my husband and I discovered a God we had no idea existed. As I learned to trust more people in the church and began to volunteer in leadership, I finally told my story to the pastor. She, in turn, told the church, and eventually, they took me out of leadership due to “my past.”
However, by this time, I had discovered the Holy Spirit and the gift of grace. My relationship with Him only strengthened. I began a ministry for women and became a life coach. It was a surprise to me to discover that many women suffer abuse in churches and need a trustworthy mentor to guide them through. God sent many women my way.
Ministry and Coaching Classes at CLI
Several years later, I wrote my story in a memoir. I Am Real is my story of vulnerability and severe pain and the way God has rescued me and turned my sorrow into joy. The title of the book represents the beauty of God’s reality and what REAL means to me: R-rooted, E-Empowered, A-authentic, L-loved. When I am rooted in Christ Jesus, I am empowered to live an authentic life and live totally loved by Him.
Wanting to learn more about ministry and coaching, I became a student at the Christian Leaders Institute. The ministry and coaching courses at CLI are further equipping me for my calling from God.
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.
Healed and Ready to Serve!
I am John Luther Evans from Farmington, New Mexico, in the United States of America. Recently, I wanted to grow in the knowledge of Christ. Therefore, I became a Ministry Student at the Christian Leaders Institute.
Ministry Student at Christian Leaders Institute
I lived with mental, physical, and spiritual illnesses for many years. However, my God healed me, and I wholeheartedly follow my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The help of tuition-free ministry training provided at the Christian Leaders Institute will keep me firmly grounded in my Lord Jesus Christ. Living every day for Him is my new reality. Being a ministry student at Christian Leaders Institute is a blessing to me.
My mission is to share the life-saving, amazing grace that only comes from Christ Jesus. Whether working in a church, at a shopping mall, or at home, I want to share the love the Lord gave me with others who are hurting and struggling. Thank you, Christian Leaders Institute, for making this happen!
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.