Nicolle Stinson’s Christian Coaching Ministry Journey

My husband works full time, and together we enjoy camping during the summer. We are also very active in our local church and community.

My Early Years

I grew up in a home where we did not speak about church. I was introduced to Jesus through a church group at school, and I accepted Him as my Savior.

However, my childhood became troubled when I was 11 years old. My parents divorced, and my mother worked most of the time. One day, while participating in a church group at school, a church worker told me that I had not colored my picture well enough.

That experience became the beginning of my believing the lies of the enemy. I became deeply insecure and believed I was not good enough. As my teenage years came, I tried to cover my insecurities through partying and relationships.

Finding Jesus Again

As an adult, I had four children and experienced three failed marriages. I believed that a successful career would prove to the world that I was not a mess. Despite my efforts, I still felt empty.

One day, while I was working an overtime shift, my babysitter took my children to a church youth group. They came home excited about what they had experienced. Over the following weeks, their excitement became contagious, and I eventually ventured into the church myself.

That was it. Jesus grabbed me by the heart, and my prodigal journey ended.

Another Prodigal Journey

Sin can sometimes have a very firm grip on a person. Although I had returned to church, I gave in to the enemy again and did not fully surrender my life to Jesus.

Another decade followed in which I abused alcohol, drugs, and my family. I even hurt members of my church. I was hurting people because there was so much pain within me, and I could not make it go away.

Eventually, I reached rock bottom. I agreed to participate in unethical decisions in my career in exchange for a large monetary bonus. I told myself that it was acceptable because no one was being hurt.

The result was my arrest, public shame, overwhelming guilt, and many days spent crying out to God because I had nowhere else to go.

God Called Me Back

One day, after being awake all night, I decided to walk with my three-year-old daughter to a nearby convenience store. I wanted to get breakfast for her and coffee for myself. The store was just beyond the church.

As I walked past the church, something made me stop. I clearly heard the words, “Go inside.”

I was tired from not sleeping, so I shook my head and tried to keep walking. I took another step and heard the voice again, as clearly as the first time: “Go inside.”

I said out loud, “I can’t.”

Again, I heard, “Go inside.”

I finally told my daughter, “We have to go into the church.” She happily agreed. When I entered, I felt welcomed and peaceful. I made amends with each person I had hurt, and my prodigal journey ended that day.

Since then, I have developed an undeniable hunger for God’s Word. I have a new understanding of Scripture, and my walk with God has been renewed. I am finally free.

Called to Encourage Others

On Christmas Eve, God called me into ministry. At first, I was unsure about the kind of ministry He had for me. After much prayer and contemplation, I recognized a calling to exhortation.

I want to encourage women to return to God’s Word and develop a closer walk with Him.

I find myself becoming more joyful each day. I wake with a desire and hunger for God and with a newfound love for encouraging others. I now have words of hope for people that I never had before.

Christian coaching education through Christian Leaders Institute can further equip me to uplift others in their walk with the Lord. I hope to help people recognize the strengths, abilities, and opportunities God has placed within them.

My Christian Coaching Ministry Journey

As I continue preparing for Christian coaching ministry, my hope is to uplift, encourage, and build up others so that they may do the same.

What joy it is to see more disciples come into the Kingdom. What joy it is to see people find their way through Christ alone.

Ordination through the Christian Leaders Alliance represents a new step in my ministry journey. It prepares me to serve faithfully in my called role and provides the credibility and accountability that ordination brings.

God has opened many doors since calling me into ministry, and each new day has become an exciting Kingdom adventure.

Those who sense a calling to encourage and guide others can explore the Life Coach Ordination pathway through the Christian Leaders Alliance.

God Is Using My Story

Since being called into ministry, I have started an online women’s ministry where we read and study God’s Word together throughout the year. We also encourage one another along the way.

This ministry grew to 2,600 members in fewer than four months. Praise God!

I also published a Bible journal that encourages readers to record their thoughts each day while reading Scripture. This is not something I would ever have imagined myself doing. God has moved powerfully in my life since I fully surrendered to Him.

I later published a prayer journal as a companion to the Bible journal. To say that these accomplishments were outside the realm of my human capabilities would be an understatement. However, with God, all things are possible. Time and again, He has confirmed my calling.

This online ministry is now helping others recognize and use their own gifts. We have a Scripture-writing group, a sign-language ministry, blessing swaps, children’s pen-pal fellowships, and many additional opportunities being developed.

Continuing My Education

I plan to continue my education through Christian Leaders Institute and pursue a bachelor’s degree in divinity.

Please pray that I will always align my work with God’s will and remain faithful to the calling He has placed on my life.