God Always Finishes What He Starts
Hi there! My name is Danielle Rebon. I am from the state of Ohio in the United States. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute on my ordained ministry leader journey.
Becoming an ordained ministry leader and a college graduate comes after years of striving to make things happen in my timing instead of God’s. I attended many ministry schools and colleges in the twenty years since graduating high school. However, until Christian Leaders Institute and College, I never had anything to show for my efforts outside of multitudes of debt.
When I first heard about CLI, taking classes or graduating with a degree was not at the forefront of my mind. However, a gentleman I worked with was studying a course while we were in the same room one day. That prompted me to inquire about it. He told me all about the coursework, the degree he was working towards, and the institute he used to do so. He was 76 years old at the time.
Ordained Ministry Leader Journey at CLI/CLI
He piqued my interest. I looked up CLI, applied, and started my first class within 24 hours. It was incredible that I could get into learning without waiting until I could afford it! I became an enthusiastic learner and completed an associate’s degree in 10 months. This was a dream that I thought would never come to pass, and yet, I was, almost 20 years after graduating high school, seeing my name on an official degree in complete disbelief.
Now, just over a year and a half later, I am almost finished with my bachelor’s program. Further, I am on a path to being ordained through the programs offered by Christian Leaders Institute and College. What I hope that someone takes from my story is that, number one, it’s never too late to go after a dream, even if hope deferred has made your heart sick. Number two, don’t wait until all circumstances “line up” to start something you want to achieve. If Peter had waited for the sea without wind and waves, he would never have stepped out of the boat. Last but not least, I hope I can encourage others not to get caught up in the timeline society gives for achieving the goals God has placed on their life. Always trust His timing!
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.
Still Walking with God
My name is Tim Alvis, residing in Jacksonville, Florida, in the USA. I am taking the ordained minister and ministry courses at the Christian Leaders Institute to become an ordained minister.
After working for the Railroad for forty-three years, I retired and renewed my walk with God. I never left God’s presence in all the years since answering the salvation call at the Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of thirteen.
My Journey
My family always had morning prayer and Bible reading. I learned to read using the King James Version, which helped me to learn proper English. My sister and I took turns reading a chapter every morning. When Dad was home, we received lessons in the meaning and philosophy of Christian Life. This continued through high school and into college.
When I was in high school, Christian doctrine guided my life. I felt very deprived while I watched other students enjoying their growing-up years. Meanwhile, I was studying and learning to play violin and other stringed instruments. However, later, I learned that by obeying my parents, I missed a lot of problems the others had with alcohol and drugs. Several of my fellow students died in auto accidents because of alcohol.
More About My Family
My grandfather, who taught me to ride a horse when I was young, died while I was in junior high. I found out that all those stories he told as a Texas Ranger were true. I wish I could remember them now. He also was an Elder in the Christian Church, and I am sure we will meet again. I also learned that my great-grandfather was a circuit preacher around Austin, Texas. Therefore, my grandfather helped in several revivals. My father spent many months with Morris Cerillo and became an ordained minister and associate paster at Bethesda Christian Church here in Jacksonville.
I met my wife, Roberta, on a blind date while in the Service. She was a student at the same high school and grade I was, but we never even saw each other. We have been married fifty-four years, and our children are grown and doing well. They also have been taught to walk with God. Raise them up in the Lord, and they will do well. My wife and I also helped raise our grandchildren while their parents served our country. They have received salvation at a young age as well and have missed many of the pitfalls of the devil, which plague today’s youth.
Ordained Minister Courses at CLI
Now that retirement gives me more time, I am interested in the House Church Movement. Our House Church, Holly Oaks Community Church, ordained me as an Elder. Further, I host Wednesday evening Bible studies at my house and occasional Sunday Services when Pastor Chris is busy with his Air Condition Business. He told me of your ordained minister courses at CLI. So I am enrolled to become an ordained minister to help him and provide backup whenever and however needed. I feel a strong call for this and hope it leads to even more in God’s work.
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.
Calling Me to More: A Testimony of Jesus’ Radical Love
My name is Alorah Jones. I am taking free ministry classes online at the Christian Leaders Institute to discover where God wants me to minister.
Over the last two years, God drastically changed my life. I went from being a deceived believer, knowing God was real, but not earnestly seeking Him, to feeling God call me to ministry. When I think back on the patience God has had for me, I am amazed. He has continually pursued me, even when I was claiming Him as Lord, but not living according to His Word. He has shown me His radical love and called me home.
My Journey
I started college back in the fall of 2019. Originally, I went to school hoping to pursue a degree in musical theatre. The idea of that sounds silly now. But, I had trained for the last four years of high school purely for that moment. However, after four years of being recognized in the hallways of my high school and honored as a great kid, my life took a turn. No longer a big fish in a little pond, I no longer had the desires and passions I once had.
I spent the next three years trying to figure out who I was and chasing love in all the wrong places. I grew up learning about Jesus and knowing in my heart that there was some sort of Creator who had made me. Still, after feeling abandoned by my family in my teen and first years of being a young adult, I didn’t feel that there was a place where I belonged.
Jesus Turned My Life Around
When I thought there was no way up from the bottom, Jesus started to turn my life around. He gave me something bigger than myself to focus on, which, in turn, stopped me in my tracks. I found out I was going to have a baby! Suddenly, I knew that I really needed Jesus more than anything else. Through my beautiful daughter, God helped me heal my abandonment wounds and find a new start. Building new relationships with mentors who were leading me to Jesus and showing me how much He loves us. Jesus opened my eyes to the whole truth, and I realized I could no longer turn away from the One who created me with a bigger purpose. Within the year, I was saved and radically changed. Baptized back in 2022, it feels good to let that old version of me die.
Free Ministry Classes at CLI
Over the last year, I really dug into what the Lord’s calling for my life is. He has created me to be a minister to my children. However, I know that there is more in His plan for me. I always thought I would eventually become a teacher, but I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what kind of teacher. However, I didn’t want to go back to four years of school and what felt like losing sight of Jesus. I had my daughter to think about and financially, that really wasn’t an option.
Then one day, the Lord dropped “FREE MINISTRY TRAINING” into my line of view. At that point, it was clear God was calling me in a different direction. He took away all the barriers and limitations I had placed in front of getting a degree and made the Christian Leaders Institute accessible to me. I pray over the course of my free ministry classes that God will open doors and continue to lead me to exactly what ministry He has called me to.
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.