Free Revival Leader Training: When God Says So, You Can Never Say No!

Free Revival Leader Training

My name is Joeana Lutha Mae Villo, and I am receiving free revival leader training at CLI. I was born in Quezon City, Philippines. Currently, I reside in “The City of Character,” Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. I grew up without a father-figure and raised by my mother, a devout Roman Catholic. My mother and I were living with my grandparents, and we religiously attended the Sunday mass in a Catholic church in the town. Throughout those years, I never understood God’s grace, his redeeming love, or the more profound things about Him. All I knew was “the religion thing,” where we always have to go to church every Sunday and follow all the traditions.

However, when I was in fifth grade, my mother was invited by her colleague to a Born Again Full-Gospel Church and was converted. At the time, I was her primary persecutor. She asked me to join their Sunday services, but I was so angry that I never bothered to listen to her. Back then, I thought what she did was merely changing religion, and that sounded like a big deal to me.

God Saves Me

The summer before I went to sixth grade, I happened to join a Vacation Bible School for kids in our neighborhood. I didn’t know what that was all about. It was in a very informal setting, and I didn’t intentionally want to listen to the teaching. I just joined because my friends were there. We had so much fun playing the different games they had prepared, and, most importantly, they served snacks at the end of every session. As you see, I began with the wrong intention, but that was the best setup that happened in my life. That was the open door for me to start my walk with the Lord.

When that summer activity ended, they invited us to their Sunday services, saying that they have Sunday School for kids with free snacks. Again, I fell in that trap, but that was the best “trap” ever. I was very excited, not knowing that was the exact church that my mother was attending.

The first time I visited that church, I felt God breathing life into my spirit even at such a young age. I felt so much peace, freedom, and victory while I listened to the sermon. From that time on, I committed my life to Jesus and learned to worship Him and put Him first in my life. I faithfully joined prayer meetings, Bible Studies, youth camps, and Sunday services with joy in my heart.

College and Career Dreams

In 2009, I went to college in a city far from home. I sought for a local church there. It was during my college years that God started using me mightily for His glory. I was a timid girl, full of fear and hesitation that I could lead, but God turned that mindset upside-down. I became the president of a Christian campus organization, handling Bible Studies, and making disciples on the campus. God enabled me, and I was amazed at how His plan unfolded in my life.

At that time, I found joy being used by God in the campus ministry. However, I shrugged off the idea of God calling me to the ministry because I had my plan for my career. Through God’s grace, I graduated with flying colors in one of the prestigious universities in the Philippines. I had lots of career opportunities laid out for me back then. However, as Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” I ended up giving up all those opportunities to advance in the corporate world so I can serve in the ministry.

Ministry Service and Health Concerns

I decided to study in the Bible School, but I was discouraged by my pastor to do so. He told me that it is okay not to go to the Bible School as long as I know how to self-study. I never had the support and the opportunity to have ministry training. However, since 2014 until now, I served in the ministry as a youth leader, handling campus Bible studies and home Bible studies, organizing and facilitating church events. I served as one of the doorkeepers every Sunday, preached in certain services, and did more. I was basically in an all-around ministry with my previous local church.

In 2016, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 3, and that was the biggest obstacle that I faced growing into maturity. We had no funds for chemotherapy sessions, surgical operation, and radiation therapy, but God has been good. He proved that He is indeed Jehovah Jireh, “the God who provides,” and Jehovah Rapha who heals.

Because I serve a miracle-working God, my mother and I won the victory in that battle against the spirit of cancer. My mother was declared cancer-free in 2017. She is still monitored regularly, but I am convinced that my God who saves, who heals, who provides, who blesses, never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Seeking Free Revival Leader Training at CLI

Right now, God has given me the burden to lead a local church and shepherd a flock. But I do not have the confidence and the competence to do so. This lack was because I didn’t have the proper ministry training to be fully equipped. I didn’t have the funds to study in the Bible School far from home, but I knew I needed training. And I praise God for leading me to Christian Leaders Institute while I was searching online. I enrolled because I embrace my calling. The free revival leader training is what I believe God has called me to do.

I believe what the Bible says that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, here I am with CLI, getting ready to be used by God in the harvest field. The free revival leader training will prepare me for what God has in store for me as his worker.

Learn about ordination at Christian Leaders Alliance.