Into His Marvelous Light
Hello! My name is Dwayne Tanner, from the United States. I am studying for my call to ministry at the Christian Leaders Institute (Learn more about free Bible and ministry classes online, Click Here).
“But God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27). This verse speaks volumes as I ponder, “Why would a holy and all-powerful God be mindful of man?” (Psalms 8:4). Surely His ways are not like ours!
41 years of living has not diminished the awe of this truth. What God saw in a skinny, quiet, insecure, fearful, introverted nobody decades ago once baffled me. By my senior year of high school, I had had enough of life. The mundane of day-to-day living had caused me to become bitter, angry, hateful, anxious, lonely, deceitful, fearful, and suicidal. Despite growing up with a hard-working father and a caring stay-at-home mother, I struggled in my youth to find meaning in life and a place to belong. I found myself very critical of people, places, and things. I did not realize the war I was ultimately waging was one against the Creator of these very things; myself included.
My Journey
Even with the vast diversity growing up in New Jersey afforded me, I felt trapped in a bubble of mediocre norms. There had to be more than the charades and noise of shallow lip service that bombarded my existence. There had to be more! And if not, I wanted out. Without me realizing it, God’s sovereignty was at work. Frustration had driven me to the truth. I acknowledged that the world hadn’t defined certain subjects/terms accurately. Nor could it, because, as I would soon learn, these things were not carnal but spiritual. Issues of love, joy, and peace were never properly experienced or shared apart from God. God embodies and authors them. My awakening from spiritual slumber began with an encounter with Jehovah Shalom, the God of Peace.
Some people have dramatic conversion testimonies like Saul on Damascus road. I wasn’t one of them. In fact, I didn’t believe I had a testimony for quite a while. I had never committed the well-known sins like drinking alcohol, smoking, drugs, and pre-marital sex. I could have easily been labeled a goody-two-shoes. Oh, the day! Then, I discovered that “good” was not good enough in the kingdom of God. I learned that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. My false self-righteousness rooted in pride separated me from eternal security with a loving God as much as any other sin.
Perspective Shift
This revelation removed the scales from my eyes. It brought a shift in perspective on life and how to live it. Romans 12:2 teaches that we not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. My mind was hijacked by false ideologies, influences of wicked intentions, and exposure to things contrary to a holy and pure God. It took His truth to set me free. His Word began to wash and cleanse me just as He promised it would. As I committed to prayer, studying, fasting, and fellowship, I witnessed God doing miraculous things in my life.
Over the years, I discovered many facets of God’s character. As seemingly complex as the things of God and who He appears to be, I am often reminded of just how simple He can really be. God is love (1 John 4:8). He wants us to know His love and to share it. This truth was hard for a once introverted, self-righteous, bitter person to receive. I am grateful for the Father’s love that has replaced my heart of stone with one of flesh.
By faith, I have been saved. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). It is my desire, more than ever, to please Him who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). I accept the call, as His chosen possession, to show God’s goodness to others. Then, they too can please our awesome God.
CLI: Studying for My Call to Ministry
It is at this point that the value and importance of studying for my call at the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) come into play. If faith is required to please God, then how do we get it? Romans 10 informs us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. How shall they hear unless someone preaches, and how can one preach unless they are sent? CLI equipping me to share the gospel is a blessing.
The call to do so beacons more intensely in me now. Several trusted spiritual leaders confirmed my call multiple times. One of whom has directed me to CLI without knowing that I was praying fervently about studying and increasing my Bible study time to be a more effective witness and teacher of the Word. Studying online for my call without a financial burden is a huge blessing. It allows me to still serve my wife of 15 years and our four children (7,10,12,21). It also allows me to serve in youth ministry and work as a graphic designer.
The harvest is ripe! I want to help close the gap of few laborers. I am grateful for the opportunity CLI presents to prepare many to serve and answer the call of the Most High God. Thank you for trusting and obeying your call to this ministry. Thank you for providing this privilege for others to grow and mature in their spiritual walk. This opportunity of studying for my call to minister is a gift! Grace and peace!
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. Then you can 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.
