My name is Tena Qualls, from Sparta, Tennessee, USA. Currently, I am receiving free ministry and ordination training at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online Bible classes, Click Here). I was born and raised with one younger sister in rural middle Tennessee. We were brought up predominantly Pentecostal. My parents sang, ministered, and traveled with a gospel group for most of our lives. My father evangelized for many years and eventually Pastored for several years. I received Christ at a young age, yet I turned away from the Lord in my teen years.
A few days before my 21st birthday, my parents had an automobile accident. My mother tragically died at the young age of 39, and my father was very severely injured. Our lives changed from that day forward. My father was unable to deal with what happened. He turned away from the Lord, from ministry, and became someone unfamiliar to me.
Earlier, on the day of the accident, I had lunch with my mother. She asked me to run an errand for her after I got off work. I ran the errand as she asked and met the man who would become my future husband and ministry partner. Unbeknownst to me, at approximately the same time I ran the errand and met my future husband, was the same time that my parents were in this fatal car accident. After 35 years of marriage, we still reminisce about how my mother was the angel that introduced us.
Ministry Journey Begins
I met my husband in 1985, and we married in 1986. When expecting our first child, we decided to return to church. My husband and I gave our hearts and lives to the Lord in 1988. We faithfully attended this church. Soon, we began to work with teens, and, then eventually became youth leaders. Shortly after that, we accepted the youth pastor position. We served in that capacity for 17 years. After which, we were asked to take the Associate Pastor position. My husband and I worked together in every facet of ministry that God led us into.
After serving on staff as associate pastors for several years, our Lead Pastor retired. In this assembly, when the lead pastor retired, my husband and I would step down too. We were in Ministerial courses at Lee University at that time and realized that God was calling us into a Lead Pastor role. After what we would describe as wandering in the wilderness for almost 2 years, God led us to a 6-person church that was one week away from closing its doors.
Called to Lead Pastor Position
In May of 2016, my husband and I laid a fleece before the Lord as to whether or not this non-denominational church was what He was leading us to. God confirmed it, and we accepted the Lead Pastor role at what is now called Christpoint Church. After almost 8 years, Christpoint has two campuses with a third in the planning stages. To serve at Christpoint Church is a blessing! We have a great vision and excitement for what God has in store.
Ministry and Ordination Training at CLI
My husband is an Ordained Bishop in the church of God. I took many of the courses with my husband but did not go through the ordination program at that time. We are so very thankful to have found the Christian Leaders Institute. As a 501C3, Christpoint Church will require our ministers to enroll in the CLI ministry and ordination training courses in order to be ordained ministers within the Christpoint body.
One of our Campus Pastors already went through CLI’s deacon ordination training courses. He received ordination in our local assembly. We have another Campus Pastor currently taking the deacon ordination courses as well, whom we also plan to ordain at Christpoint.
Currently, I am also enrolled in the deacon ordination courses and plan to be ordained as well. Furthermore, I plan to continue forward with the Life Coach courses.
Serving Where God Leads Us
My husband and I are 57 years of age, with two children and seven grandchildren. We are truly blessed, humbled, and honored to have been called. The journey has been challenging at times, but our God never fails us. Our prayer is to remain useful vessels to the glory of God.
Thank you, Christian Leaders Institute, for the amazing ministry and ordination training resources you offer. Because of your vision and this accessibility, we feel we can now fulfill our vision to adequately equip and set forth ministers and servant leaders in our church.
