From Ashes to Beauty
My name is Ruth. My father wanted to ensure his daughters grew up with a solid biblical name to remind us constantly of God’s presence in our lives. I’ve had ups and downs with that, but God is faithful. Now, I am at the Christian Leaders Institute gaining competence in my ministry calling (Learn more about online free Bible courses, Click Here).
My Spiritual Journey
My parents came to the USA from Portugal soon after they married. So, my sister and I were born here. We grew up faithfully and fervently attending our bi-lingual church, mostly every day of the week and twice on Sundays. At 12 years old, I realized I should give my life to Christ officially and publicly, so I did. I was a child and had the faith of a child. The church we attended was sound, but those growing up in it seemed to grow in its culture and not so much in personal faith for ourselves.
When I went away to college, I drifted from what had become a superficial relationship with Jesus. I partied and lived a generally wild life. That life proved to be good at one thing, getting me kicked out of school and back home. My husband and I met when I was 21. We married almost four years later. Nine months after our vows, my father passed. Three months after that, I was pregnant with our son. A year after that, I had thyroid cancer.
During all this time, I used God as a bandaid. I went to Him in my need and walked away once He fixed or healed it. We had a daughter five years after our son. We bought houses and built our kingdom as the foundation of our lives silently crumbled. On the verge of divorce, I well and truly cried out to Jesus that I was done doing things my way. I needed Him and only Him. Again, He rescued me.
Ministry Journey: Gaining Competence in My Calling at CLI
Married for almost 22 years now, our children, 20 and 15 years old, grew up in a loving, God-fearing home. Unfortunately, when I had my thyroid surgery, the doctor inadvertently nicked my vocal cords and paralyzed the left one. God has since called me to sing. He has given me a desire to play guitar and my husband a desire for bass and sound. Our son plays six instruments, and our daughter plays five. We have a worship team and a family ministry band called SEED Christian Music. God has made beautiful what was dead and broken. He has made beauty from ashes. There is no way I could have imagined what a life He had planned for us.
In recent years, I’ve found myself in many mentoring and counseling roles in my church with young women of our congregation. God has placed it on my heart to be well prepared for the next mission He wants me on. This is the reason I have decided to study with CLI/CLI. I want to do my very best to be a well-equipped soldier for whatever comes next. I am excited to be gaining competence in my calling from God. Then I can help lead those hurting as I was into His loving arms.
Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute
Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2.
After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.
Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course, and then you are allowed to enroll in mini-courses or regular courses.
The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.
Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the CLI’s Leadership Excellence School.
