Free Online Courses at CLI

Free Online Courses in Ministry Training

Hello, my name is Mary Barrera, and I am taking free online courses at Christian Leaders Institute. I have five children and nine grandchildren. From my youth, I had a speech problem that I still have today. However, God helps me through the Holy Spirit with that difficulty. So, I don’t have to worry about that anymore.

Early Years

I was born in Galveston, Texas, to Just and Dovie Jane Alfaro. I am the baby out of twelve children. In my young life, I experienced things that no child should have to endure. A family member molested me from the time I was five years old until the time I was 12 years old. When I was 12 years old, a tree fell on me. I almost died, but thanks to God, that didn’t happen. Then, when I was 14 years old, I gave my life to Jesus. It was a long road, but God got me through every step of the way as I grew up.

Mid-life Struggles

When I was 41 years old, my husband, a street minister, passed away with sugar diabetes and one lung. While he was on peritoneal dialysis, the doctors told him that he wouldn’t make it three years. But he made it for over three years. Then, in his last year, he had bone marrow cancer and died in 2016. I was his caregiver, but God made a way, and my church was there for me. After he died, I didn’t have anything, but God took care of that because we were obedient to his word. God takes care of his faithful followers.

New Beginnings

Last year I met my fiance, and we set our wedding date for April 11, 2020. It’s so precious because God sent me him on my walk with God. He also sent my fiance to help my family because part of my family is unsaved. So we have a long journey ahead of us.

I wanted to tell my story as I’ve been through a lot in my life. However, without God, I’m nothing. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I have a ministry on Facebook called Gym Outreach, where I do a nightly reading. Furthermore, I have a women’s ministry. It is where 30 women of faith from all over the world come together daily. We encourage each other, we pray for each other, and we are there for each other.

God is good! Now, He has brought me to the Christian Leaders Institute for free online courses for ministry training. Let the journey begin!

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