My name is Daniel Tichota. Along with my wife, Melissa, and our four children, I live in Lebanon, Tennessee. At a young age, God called me into ministry. I currently hold the following educational degrees: Bachelor in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University; Master in Human Dynamics from Western International University; and a Master in Teaching (Middle School Math) at Oakland City University (graduation May 2022). I have already enrolled for a third Master’s in Christian Ministry at Oral Roberts University, which will begin in May 2022. In addition, I am studying ministry training and Bible courses at Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about online free Bible courses, Click Here).
Education, to me, is a passion. God called me to learn so that, in turn, I may be used for teaching at every level. With this in mind, I am getting prepared to teach, even at college-level Bible, by Spring 2024. I want to be used by God to plant a church complete with a Christian school.
My Spiritual Journey
However, first, I want to share my spiritual journey with you. While I grew up in a Christian home, I wasn’t always on track with God. At age 5, I came to know Christ as my Lord in a Baptist church. I still recall the Sunday evening service when they baptized me in the tank with the church watching. However, when our family later moved from the Baptist church to a non-denominational church a few years later, the power of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues came to me. I felt the calling for ministry but veered in my teenage years.
Rebellious toward my parents, teachers, and mostly, God, I found ‘love,’ or at least I thought it was. Truthfully, it was lust. But it became a force that stole me from God for many years. I still went to church, but my devotion to God was haphazard. It wasn’t until I went to college that I realized I needed to recommit to God. And so I did – sold out – or so many thought. Unfortunately, that rebellion left a door open to lust, and I, like Solomon, had only a half heart toward God.
I graduated, married, separated, came back, had kids, and then found myself divorced. There were good days and bad during all that, but I was still only half-hearted. It wasn’t until the divorce that I fell and saw just how much I needed God. I dated to ease my pain, but God showed me that I needed to be His man before being the husband God wanted me to be. So for three years, it was God and me. Finally, when the time and my heart were right, He allowed me to meet my wife of eight years. But to get to that point, I needed first to surrender to Him. I need to surrender daily because sin is always knocking at the door.
My Love of Learning and Teaching
My heart is for ministry and teaching God’s Word to others. I have always loved school, and I am a nerd. I was the student who felt terrible on sick days, not because I was ill, but because I was missing out on the opportunity to learn. As a student, I asked for homework and enjoyed it when my parents’ punishment for my errors was to write a book report. All these clues should have been a hint to me that I was destined to be a teacher.
Now, here I am at the age of 46, looking to put behind me the daily grind of customer service in hopes of making a difference. Teachers in my life made a difference. In 5th grade, my teacher pushed me to excellence in every subject. My 8th grade English teacher coached me in public speaking. Even my choir teacher throughout high school daily encouraged me to shoot for the stars, try new things, and be the person I was destined to be. Their impact on me has not gone unnoticed.
But I want to teach God’s Word. I want to teach people the blessings of following after God and the struggles they may encounter. In the end, I want to bring people into a relationship with a God who loves them all. The ministry training and Bible courses at CLI prepare me for this calling.
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.
